A Shelby Cobra 427 Prototype is one of the headline offerings at the 12th annual Russo and Steele Scottsdale auction, scheduled for January 18-22, 2012 in Scottsdale, Arizona.
This original 427 Cobra CSX3127 built at Shelby American in 1965 was the fourth of just 260 original 427 Street Cobras produced by Shelby. While most Cobras were shipped by boat to the States, the importance of 3127 is demonstrated by the fact that it was not only shipped by air, but also delivered to Shelby in bare aluminum rather than painted. In fact, this statement is not just conjecture, but fact, as found in factory records obtained from AC Cars Limited that show chassis number 3127 is listed on their invoice as “Prototype Mk.II Road Car, Unpainted, Black Leather,” was completed (without being painted) and shipped to Shelby American in Los Angeles by air.
Why the special treatment? This particular 427 Cobra CSX3127 served as Shelby’s test vehicle to gauge customer response to the 427 Street cars. Shelby American records indicate 3127 was completed by them on September 9th, 1965, after which it was also used as Shelby’s demonstrator and public relations car.
As with all Carroll Shelby’s PR cars, he made sure that they were seen with the right people behind the wheel. However, this particular 427 Cobra found itself at the center of Hollywood when it was loaned to celebrities and movie studios, such as Universal Studios and Paramount Studios. Astronaut Scott Carpenter was loaned 3127 in May of 1966, when his personal 427 Cobra (3230) was being painted by Shelby American. After Carpenter returned 3127 it was again loaned to Robert Cophier, a high-level Ford executive. Shelby American continued using 3127 for similar duties until May 26, 1967 when it was sold to its first owner, Gregory Peabody. Mr. Peabody kept the car until May of 1980, when he sold it with just 19,000 miles to Sloan Krister. Six years later Krister sold the car to United Artists, who bestowed the automobile to actor Sylvester Stallone upon completion of the movie “Cobra” as a gift. Stallone later sold 3127 to producer Jeff Mohr.
In 1996 John Zinsmeyer purchased 3127 from Mohr and contracted noted Cobra restorer, Mike McCluskey to perform a concours-level restoration. CSX 3127 was eventually passed to John Sinders in 2001 and later sold to prominent Cobra authority, Colin Comer in 2005. Comer applied the stunning black paint it retains today as well as thoroughly sorted the car mechanically.
Since CSX 3127’s introduction to the public it has been featured on the 1989 Mac Tools calendar; in The Shelby American magazine #56; featured and track tested on Spike TV’s “MuscleCar” in 2006; was shown at the ISCA’s World of Wheels show in 2006 where it won Outstanding Engine, Outstanding Restored, and Best of Show; and has completed the Copperstate 1000 road rally twice (2006 and 2008), both times without skipping a beat for the entire 1000 miles.
In addition to this 1965 Shelby 427 Cobra CSX3127, Russo and Steele’s 2012 Scottsdale Auction will offer over 700 automobiles cross the auction block. For more information, visit www.russoandsteele.com.
[Source: Russo and Steele]
A lot of owners… and every one of them but the last is going to be sick when they see the auction price.