Images: Mecum Auctions

In the world of classic cars, a genuine Shelby Cobra is one of the most sought-after investments around. But with several companies now producing their own versions of the famed Cobra, finding a real one from Shelby’s fleet is becoming harder and harder, and if you do find one, chances are it’s not for sale. Fortunately for Cobra fans, a genuine 1963 289 Shelby Cobra will soon be available as it heads to the Dana Mecum’s 27th Original Spring Classic auction in May. And it’s not just any Cobra- the roadster is actually an early demonstration vehicle.

Introduced in 1962, the Shelby Cobra saw a few upgrades early in its life to make the model truly race ready. One of these upgrades was equipping later 1962 models with a Ford 289ci engine, rather than the 260ci that went in the first 75 production cars. The next change was in the steering.

With early race testing revealing issues with the Shelby’s worm and sector steering, AC’s Chief Engineer at the time, Alan Turner, made a revolutionary design change to the model to include a rack and pinion setup while maintaining the car’s transverse leaf spring suspension system. In early 1963, Shelby Cobra’s with the new rack and pinion upgrade were put into production, referred to as Mark II models.

The Cobra (serial number CSX2135) heading to Mecum in May was one of the very first models produced with the rack and pinion steering system. Because of this, the car was used as a demonstration vehicle for the new upgrade.

Finished with an off-White paint scheme and Red interior, CSX2135 was shipped with four other Cobras to the Ford Motor Company district office in Kansas City, Missouri. From there, the car was invoiced to future Ford Racing director Jacques Passino before it headed out for a year of Shelby-designated test drives, press photos, and other promotional events. When the year of demonstration use was up, the Cobra was returned to Shelby for a complete reconditioning so it could be sold to a private buyer.

Though the car was originally equipped with the “Class A” accessory group, consisting of chromed wire wheels, wind wings, a dash-mounted rear-view mirror, luggage rack and whitewall tires, some of its identity was stripped through the reconditioning process. For its new debut, the car was painted White Lucite and equipped with niceties like new carpet, a new windshield, seatbelts, a soft top, mufflers and new painted wire wheels.

Sold to Beverly Hills Sports Cars in March of 1965, the Cobra went on to a handful of owners and through a few more facelifts in its day. Major changes to the car include a couple of re-paints, the last gifting the car with a Mercedes Midnight Blue paint scheme, widened wheel well flares to accommodate the larger wheel and tire combination, added front fender side vents, a new 347ci engine under the hood and upholstery changes, the last making the interior black.

Though the car has seen plenty of work done both to it and with it, and remains a genuine Shelby demonstration car with plenty of value. Adding to that value is the car’s original 289ci engine, which was preserved when the 347 was transplanted in, and a set of 5.5-inch Shelby knock-off chromed wire wheels.

Crossing the auction block at the Mecum Spring Classic in Indianapolis, Indiana on Saturday, May 17th, this amazingly rare Shelby Cobra is sure to draw plenty of attention.

If you’re in the market for a genuine Shelby Cobra and this demo car looks interesting, be sure to register to bid before it’s too late!