All good things must come to an end, and so it was in 1965. Carroll Shelby and Company were busy building the big block 427 Cobras, so it was the end of the line for its predecessor. The small-block Cobra used Ford’s 289 V8. It was light and nimble, with good weight distribution on the track. Big brother 427 was not, but it used brute force in a straight line to overpower the competition.
For years, the 289 Cobras were eclipsed by the 427 cars. But the untimely passing of our friend Mr. Shelby has sent Cobras into the stratosphere. This example is CSX2588, and it was the last 289 Cobra sold to the public. The final car was CSX2589, and Shelby built it with an automatic to keep for himself.
One of only 56 leaf spring cars to be finished in Rouge Iris, it has lived a life of leisure. Never needed a full restoration, it has been treated to new carpet along with a repaint by Shelby historian Colin Comer. Everything from the LeMans-spec Holley carburetor to the wire wheels is factory original. The car’s history is fully documented with the SAAC’s Cobra World Registry, and it can be yours. CSX2588 will be a primetime feature of Mecum’s Kissimmee auction, so tune in and stay with us for complete coverage of the event.
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