1965 Shelby Cobra

There are cars, and then there are Cobras. And among the numerous copycat attempts at Cobras, few carry the kind of documented pedigree that CSX 2381 brings to the table. This is a genuine, numbers-matching example of the car that redefined what American performance could be and helped put American motorsports on the same playing field as the Europeans.

CSX 2381 rolled off the line and was invoiced on August 18, 1964 to Lynch-Davidson Ford of Jacksonville, Florida, finished in a striking Silver over Red and loaded with Class "A" accessories XWX tires, a luggage rack, antifreeze, five chrome wheels, and a radio with antenna and carryed an original invoice price of $5,195. The car made its way to Florida aboard a Shelby factory transporter and sat in Lynch-Davidson's dealer inventory as late as March 1965, a documented chapter of provenance that serious collectors will immediately appreciate.

In 2013, CSX 2381 was treated to a complete, nut-and-bolt, frame-off restoration at the hands of David Wagner of Classic Motorsports in Northville, Illinois. David is a marque specialist trusted by Cobra owners for his exacting attention to detail. Every nut, bolt, and panel was addressed to bring this car back to its correct, as-delivered glory, and the result is a Cobra that drives and presents as good as it did the day it left the factory. Under the hood sits the car's original 289ci solid lifter V8, mated to its original 4-speed manual gearbox.

Opportunities to own a documented, matching-numbers Shelby Cobra with this level of provenance and this quality of restoration simply don't come along often. CSX 2381 is ready for its next chapter and its next owner.