Item No. 20030717
While searching online, I came across an auction from 2011 in which an original vehicle from the Shelby American Racing Team, a 1963 Cobra 289, was sold at auction in England for $2 million. The owner had bought the car 43 years earlier for $4,200… not a bad return on investment, I’d say.
The Shelby Cobra, the 289 version with a 4.7-liter V-8 engine and the 427 version with a 7.1-liter engine, even won the World Sports Car Championship in 1965, but the simultaneous introduction of a speed limit on American highways caused sales figures to plummet, and production was discontinued in 1968.
I couldn’t find a reference photo for the model’s paint job, but the style of the paintwork and the colors generally correspond to 1960s sports cars.
The paint job is clean and the edges are sharply defined. The clear coat is even and free of imperfections.
The front axle is not a solid piece. As far as I can tell, the independent suspension has no noticeable drawbacks on this model; both axle components run smoothly.
The rear axle is straight and turns smoothly and easily in the pinions. The rims also show no signs of imbalance. The tires sit securely on the rims but can be easily removed. Anyone who wants to race the Cobra in tough conditions should consider gluing the tires.
If you don’t use magnets ,
you should at least sand down the edges. Caution is advised here, as the tires don’t have much material to sand down.
The Cobra’s handling is well-known—it’s fast and nimble. However, don’t forget its narrow track width; in races against similar vehicles, the Cobra performs impressively.
See you later,
joergW
