Shelby Cobra Development Car (chassis CSX R-4010), commissioned by Carroll Shelby and built by RAM Automotive
Tested in the USA by Carroll Shelby, Bob Bondurant and Peter Brock; driven up the hill at the 1995 Goodwood Festival of Speed by Carroll Shelby and Phil Hill
Bulkhead signed by Bob Bondurant and glove box signed by Carroll Shelby
Adrian Reynard-designed space-frame chassis
Over £12,000 spent on improvements including electric power steering, cooling, fuelling and a front suspension overhaul
The Appeal
To this day, the AC Cobra remains a raucous, charismatic and enduring sports car—synonymous with motorsport and, at its core, perhaps the definition of pure, unfiltered fun. This is a near-single-minded roadster that’s fast, agile, and capable of blistering speeds.
Plenty of continuation cars exist, but a Cobra with a Shelby stamp and genuine Carroll Shelby development pedigree is something else entirely—something guaranteed to turn heads. Chassis number CSX R-4010 was commissioned by Carroll Shelby himself and built by RAM Automotive in Witham—the company Shelby American selected to produce endorsed Cobras for the European market.
Originally built as a test bed for the Oldsmobile Northstar V8 engine, the car was shipped to the USA and put through its paces by a who’s who of American motorsport: Carroll Shelby, Bob Bondurant and Peter Brock. They tested it extensively on a variety of tracks and drag strips. Bondurant set a quarter-mile standing-start speed record at the Firebird drag strip, Wild Horse Pass racing circuit, signing the bulkhead to commemorate the occasion—traces of which are still visible today.
The car’s story continued at the 1995 Goodwood Festival of Speed, where Carroll Shelby and Phil Hill drove it up the famous hill. Shelby signed the glove box to mark the reunion, and that signature is now preserved in a separate display for protection. Few Cobras of any description can claim such a direct, personal connection to Carroll Shelby himself!
Back in the UK and re-commissioned with a Ford Small Block 302 V8, converted to right-hand drive, CSX R-4010 has been enjoyed by a succession of enthusiastic owners. The engine was rebuilt by Terry Sands—Carroll Shelby’s principal European contact—using Jahns pistons at 10:1 compression with enlarged bores, a street/strip camshaft, and performance internals. In addition, over £12,000 has been spent on upgrades including cooling and fueling improvements, electric power steering, 6-pot caliper brakes, and a front suspension overhaul. The chassis itself was designed by Adrian Reynard, renowned for his Formula 2 and Indy Racing chassis work, offering a more rigid space-frame than the original AC ACE ladder frame.
No bones about it—this is a completely singular, one-of-a-kind classic, bound to grab the attention of any enthusiast. We’re expecting a lot of interest at auction!271a8101.jpg486.87 KB
History and Paperwork
V5C registered as a 1970 Shelby Cobra 427 S/C, UK registered
Chassis number CSX R-4010, a Shelby Cobra Development Car commissioned by Carroll Shelby
Built by RAM Automotive (formerly LR Roadsters) in Witham, UK; Shelby American’s chosen producer of endorsed Cobras for the European market
Shelby’s official endorsement of the RAM Cobra dated 6th January 1994
Originally built as a test bed for the Oldsmobile Northstar V8 engine; shipped to the USA for evaluation and extensively tested by Carroll Shelby, Bob Bondurant and Peter Brock
Quarter-mile standing-start speed record set by Bob Bondurant at the Firebird drag strip, Wild Horse Pass racing circuit; Bondurant signed the bulkhead to commemorate the occasion (traces still remain)
Driven by Carroll Shelby and Phil Hill at the 1995 Goodwood Festival of Speed; glove box signed by Carroll Shelby at Goodwood, now held in a separate display for protection
Returned to the UK minus engine and transmission; sold to Paul Hadley, who re-commissioned the car with a Ford 302 engine and converted it to right-hand drive
Engine subsequently rebuilt by Terry Sands (Carroll Shelby’s principal European contact) with Jahns pistons, enlarged bores, street/strip camshaft and performance internals
Sold in 1999 to Lisa Reedy, who owned the car for almost 20 years, using it as a daily driver and for occasional track days
Purchased from Adam Sykes & Co in June 2023
MOT exempt
Accompanied by an impressive written history, plenty of invoices, a couple of photographs and some correspondence
Overall exterior in very good condition with minor scuffs to the driver’s side door pillar
Paintwork is clean and well-presented
Underside looks in good order
Imprint is still visible where the roll bar was installed behind the passenger seat when the car was originally left-hand drive
Battery cut-out switch installed
The vendor states the interior is in very good condition, including both seats, upholstery and dashboard
All instruments and switchgear are reported to be in good working order
Diminutive proportions, curvy arches—fair to say the AC Coba is immediately recognizable, and we’re pleased to say this example looks superb, befitting its prominence. It’s clearly been pampered throughout its life, with gleaming paintwork, straight bodywork, and a very well-presented interior.
Ford Small Block 302 V8 (bore enlarged by +60 thou) with Jahns pistons at 10:1 compression and street/strip camshaft
Manual transmission with 5 gears
Adrian Reynard-designed space-frame chassis, more rigid and less susceptible to flex than the original AC ACE ladder frame
6-pot caliper brakes and Leda front struts
Over £12,000 spent on improvements including cooling, fueling and carburation upgrades, electric power steering, and a complete front suspension overhaul including tie rod ends
It’s clear that everything about this Cobra goes well beyond its factory specification, with an eye for extracting the maximum performance, agility and willingness from this compact little platform. The engine bay looks in fine order, and the vendor reports that the car starts and drives with ease—offering incredible performance and comfort for the lucky person behind the wheel! 271a8067.jpg480.19 KB
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