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
The AC Cobra remains, to this day, a rip-roaring, charismatic and ever-enduring sports car, synonymous with motorsport and perhaps the definition of a car with sheer fun at its core. This is a near single-minded roadster that's fast, agile, and capable of blistering speeds.
Many continuation cars exist, but a Shelby-endorsed Cobra with genuine Carroll Shelby development provenance is something else entirely - something that's bound to turn heads. Chassis number CSX R-4010 was commissioned by Carroll Shelby himself and built by RAM Automotive in Witham - the company chosen by Shelby American to produce endorsed Cobras for the European market.
Originally constructed as a test bed for the Oldsmobile Northstar V8 engine, this 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 tested it extensively on various 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 incline. 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 and personal connection to Carroll Shelby himself!
Returned to the UK and re-commissioned with a Ford Small Block 302 V8 and 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. Over £12,000 has additionally been spent on improvements including cooling and fuelling upgrades, 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 an entirely singular, wholly individual sort of classic, and one that's bound to attract the attention of any enthusiast. We're expecting plenty 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 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 - it's fair to say that the AC Coba is immediately recognisable, and we're pleased to say that this example looks superb, befitting of 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 (bores 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, fuelling and carburation upgrades, electric power steering and a complete front suspension overhaul including tie rod ends
It's clear that everything about this Cobra sits beyond its factory specification, with an eye for getting the most performance, agility and willingness from the compact little platform. The engine bay looks in fine order, and the vendor reports that the car is starting and driving with ease, offering incredible performance and comfort for the lucky person behind the wheel! 271a8067.jpg480.19 KB
BEFORE YOU BUY
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:
✓ The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions..
✓ We request that a non-refundable fee be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates.
✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's fee. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.
✓ We want a smooth transaction just as much as you do and as such we run all UK-registered cars and motorbikes for sale on Car & Classic through an online HPI check to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing, allowing you to bid with confidence.
✓ We also check whether vehicles are recorded as being written off as part of an insurance total loss claim at the time an advert is placed on Car & Classic and we helpfully provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) for your assistance. However, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the vehicle’s status and it is always worthwhile carrying out your own full vehicle history check before making an offer on a vehicle.
✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection
or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes so it's worth checking beforehand. It is the bidders responsibility to confirm import eligibility prior to purchase.
✓ Unless stated otherwise, you must assume that any cherished, personalised, or heritage vehicle registration is not included in the sale of a vehicle.
