The last Cobra
08/15/2017
Of course, CSX2588 is not the last Cobra built - after all, such vehicles are still being built today. Nor is it the last original Cobra, as the 289 Shelby Cobra was followed by the 427 version. However, CSX588 is said to have been the last Shelby Cobra to be sold to the public, while CSX2589, equipped with an automatic, went directly to Carroll Shelby.
A. L. Gassaway from Long Beach was the first proud owner of this reddish-brown (Rouge Iris color) Cobra with a sleek aluminum body and 4.7-liter Ford engine. He kept it for 10 years. About a handful of other owners remained loyal to the Cobra, which was allowed to keep its original chassis, body, engine with aluminum intake and Holley 715 CFM "Le Mans" carburetor and drivetrain. The car was resprayed around 11 years ago, naturally in the original color.
It is therefore a real gem, which explains the expected price at the Mecum auction in Monterey , which will take place between August 16 and 19, 2017 with many hundreds of vehicles: USD 1.0 to 1.2 million.
This is not little money for a simple sports car with a large series engine; after all, over 450 road-going Cobras were built with the 289cc V8, but it is well known that very early and very late cars in a series command higher prices.
