This no-reserve car owned by Carroll Shelby is going to a new home.
There is a deluge of cars crossing the auction block at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale 2020, so many it’s overwhelming. However, this 1965 Shelby Cobra 4000 Roadster stands out in the crowd for some excellent reasons. First and foremost, this car is the only Carroll Shelby 80th Birthday Phantom Cobra ever made, so it’s completely unique. Owned by Mr. Shelby himself, he autographed this sports car on the nose (where it’s protected by the clear coat) and on the dash. Anyone lucky enough to own this vehicle has reason to brag. When it crossed the block in Arizona, it was sold for a final hammer price of $126,500.
That shiny red paint looks amazing in the sunlight, but it also bears a Phantom Cobra on both front fenders, a custom touch which immediately sets this apart from other Shelby Cobras. Massive headers protrude just behind the front wheels, the exhaust on each side terminating before the rear wheels. Overall, it’s a simple car with clean lines, including a single rollover hoop, black hood scoop, minimal chrome, and two-tone polished/black knock-off wheels.
Not surprisingly considering his past, Carroll Shelby wanted a high-powered car to celebrate turning 80. This ride packs a 427ci dual-quad aluminum V8 good for 550-horsepower. As the driver, you would get to row through the gears using a four-speed manual transmission.
People across the nation had the opportunity to see this Shelby in person during the Shelby of America Tour, which was a celebration of Carroll Shelby’s 80th birthday. Overall, the black interior is simple, with a wood-rim steering wheel and all analog gauges. However, next to Mr. Shelby’s signature on the dash is a plaque from Shelby American, verifying this is chassis CSX4209, a 427 S/C Cobra. On the center console behind the shifter is another plaque featuring a photo of Carroll Shelby, which he also signed with “#1 Phantom.”
As you might anticipate, this car has a well-documented history and is listed in the Shelby World Registry.
