1965 Shelby 427 Cobra

Legendary racing driver and car designer Carroll Shelby is an American icon who revolutionized the racing world by introducing the Cobra, a British AC Ace roadster enhanced with a Ford V8 engine. After winning the 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans co-driving an Aston Martin with Roy Salvadori, he founded Shelby American in 1962 and imported the English car to the US. The rest is history. Lightweight and powerful, the Cobra won several championships, but also became popular on the road thanks to its distinct elegance and stylish curves. Now, a 1965 Shelby 427 Cobra with the chassis number CSX 3178 is going up for auction at RM Sotheby’s.

The car was owned by the man himself and features a 428 cu. in. V8 engine with dual four-barrel carburetors, offering an impressive 385 bhp. The three-speed Ford C-6 automatic transmission was fitted by Carroll Shelby and makes the car ideal for regular use. This sleek Cobra also features independent front and rear suspensions with unequal-length upper and lower wishbones, a 90 in. wheelbase, and four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes. Painted in bright red and maintained in a pristine condition, this fiery beauty will be offered at auction in August at the RM Sotheby’s Monterey sale. For collectors and automotive enthusiasts, it’s a once in a lifetime chance to own a piece of American history. Photography by Darin Schnabel. Images courtesy of RM Sotheby’s.