Unrestored Shelby Cobra Sells For Over $2 Million

unrestored-shelby-1There are few collector cars hotter than original Shelby Cobras right now. With Carroll Shelby’s passing last year, the value of the cars bearing his name has shot up to almost impossible-to-believe heights. There’s also been a surge in rare Shelbys hitting the market, as older collectors pass away or sell their collections after decades of ownership.

But even with all the crazy money and ultra-rare cars going around, this past weekend saw a new record set for small-block Shelby Cobra sales. Hemmings Auto Blog reports that an unrestored 1962 Shelby Cobra with a 260 cubic-inch V8 and just 4,700 miles on the odometer sold for an astonishing $2.07 million at the Bonham’s auction.

Just as amazing as the maddeningly-high price paid for this Shelby is the story behind it. Bought from Tasca Ford by a James Hall of Concord, New Hampshire, Hall sold the Cobra to Stan Hallinan after Hall lost his license whilst at the wheel of the Shelby. While those only familiar with the later big block Cobras may not fully appreciate it, early small block Cobras packed right around 260 hp, and weighed less than 2,100 pounds giving it a horsepowr to weight ratio of 8 pounds to 1 hp. When Hallinan bought the Cobra it had just 1,000 miles on it, and after driving it for a few summers he tucked the car away in storage with 4,700 miles on it.

Unrestored and still wearing Tasca and AC-Cobra badging, as well as the rare original tri-power intake and carbs, initial estimates put the Cobra in the $850,000 to $1 million range. Some heavy hitters were obviously on hand and drove the bidding past $2 million when the gavel fell. Why? It’s hard to say. This is one of the earliest, lowest-mileage Cobras on the planet, no doubt, and being unrestored is also another huge boon to its value. It’s really a unique, one-of-a-kind find.

Perhaps Shelby-fever is only growing stronger among the collector car crowd? Either way, this small-block Cobra landed big bucks for Hallinan’s estate, and could set the tone for future Shelby sales.

About the author

Chris Demorro

Christopher DeMorro is a freelance writer and journalist from Connecticut with two passions in life; writing and anything with an engine.
Read My Articles

Hot Rods and Muscle Cars in your inbox.

Build your own custom newsletter with the content you love from Street Muscle, directly to your inbox, absolutely FREE!

Free WordPress Themes
Street Muscle NEWSLETTER - SIGN UP FREE!

We will safeguard your e-mail and only send content you request.

Street Muscle - The Ultimate Muscle Car Magazine

streetmusclemag

We'll send you the most interesting Street Muscle articles, news, car features, and videos every week.

Street Muscle - The Ultimate Muscle Car Magazine

Street Muscle NEWSLETTER - SIGN UP FREE!

We will safeguard your e-mail and only send content you request.

Street Muscle - The Ultimate Muscle Car Magazine

streetmusclemag

Thank you for your subscription.

Subscribe to more FREE Online Magazines!

We think you might like...


fordmuscle
Classic Ford Performance
dragzine
Drag Racing
chevyhardcore
Classic Chevy Magazine

Street Muscle - The Ultimate Muscle Car Magazine

Thank you for your subscription.

Subscribe to more FREE Online Magazines!

We think you might like...

  • fordmuscle Classic Ford Performance
  • dragzine Drag Racing
  • chevyhardcore Classic Chevy Magazine

Street Muscle - The Ultimate Muscle Car Magazine

streetmusclemag

Thank you for your subscription.

Thank you for your subscription.

Street Muscle - The Ultimate Muscle Car Magazine

Thank you for your subscription.

Thank you for your subscription.

Loading