[twobjshelbys]

It's mine (as soon as I do the wire funds transfer on Tuesday - Monday is a holiday). It was Lot #1273 at Barrett Jackson Saturday afternoon. I'd bid on a really sweet 65 K-code convertible, couple of Shelby GT500s (that went for more than I wanted to spend), and got outclassed on a GT350 that went for (finally at this auction) more than I think it should have.

It's green with yellow stripes and everyone was asking if I'm a Packers fan. No I'm not.


Contrary to what the auction description says, it's a carbon fiber body. Engine is a 427 Roush/Shelby motor, it doesn't say what tranny and I'm not able to get under it but it is a 5-speed (guess is Tremec). I'm going over to the Roush guys booth tomorrow to see if they know the car.



I'm told the LA means "Latin America". What I don't know is if this is #5 of the CSX4000 series or if it is #5 of the CSXnnnnLA series. [Edit - see below. It means it was built by HST.]

I was also told that the Green/Yellow color is the Brazilian colors... [Edit: Maybe but not relevant given above.]

It has something like 650 miles and looks like it was indoors forever.

I think the only thing wrong is it looks like it has some kind of all-season radials. Not sure where the tires came from.

I'm jazzed. Now what ? Now I'm wishing I'd bid on the Bob Bondurant Driving School at the Shelby American Collection gathering.

This post has been edited by twobjshelbys: 19 January 2009 - 11:35 AM

[twobjshelbys]

In general it "fits". The steering wheel is smaller than the one I sat in last summer and doesn't rub on my lap when I sit in it. The seat is too far forward and (of course) there is no adjustment, but I'm guessing it can be set back. Yes?

[Naumoff427]

Congratulations!

Do you have any pictures? I would love to see that color combination.

Some pictures of the seat position should help answer that question as well.

[GT500-07]

Congratulations Tony, respect the power these cars have

[twobjshelbys]

Naumoff427, on Jan 18 2009, 05:15 AM, said:

Congratulations!

Do you have any pictures? I would love to see that color combination.

Some pictures of the seat position should help answer that question as well.

I'll try to get some more detailed photos of the passenger compartment this morning. I probably won't get pictures up until mid week. The car will be shipped from Scottsdale so it'll probably be a week or so.

Now I'll be tempted to drive it around the block in the winter.

[skunk]

congrats, i bought the other csx4000 series that was listed at barrett jackson. it was 1247.2 i believe and was listed in the barrett jackson book, but i was able to buy it before the auction and it was delivered yesterday.

get ready for the ride of your life. my gt 500 and gth car cant compare!!

[twobjshelbys]

skunk, on Jan 18 2009, 06:38 AM, said:

congrats, i bought the other csx4000 series that was listed at barrett jackson. it was 1247.2 i believe and was listed in the barrett jackson book, but i was able to buy it before the auction and it was delivered yesterday.

get ready for the ride of your life. my gt 500 and gth car cant compare!!

1237.2 is the Studebaker. 1246.2 (I just looked in the catalog) was Steve Becker's red car. That one did go across the block. I bemoaned the fact that I didn't go further with that one but I'm a little happier with the engine in mine. It will be much better at the altitude. I met someone last summer that a carbeurated 427 and they could never get it to run right so he took it in and had it converted to fuel injection.

[skunk]

twobjshelbys, on Jan 18 2009, 08:49 AM, said:

1237.2 is the Studebaker. 1246.2 (I just looked in the catalog) was Steve Becker's red car. That one did go across the block. I bemoaned the fact that I didn't go further with that one but I'm a little happier with the engine in mine. It will be much better at the altitude. I met someone last summer that a carbeurated 427 and they could never get it to run right so he took it in and had it converted to fuel injection.

i just realized that the pics used at barrett jackson were the EXACT same pics used to advertise my car when it was posted for sale. mine is 4940 and is the cover picture for www.shelbydistributionusa.com.. hmm.. i wonder who's car is actually in the picture?

[cobra25]

CONGRATS to you guys!!! You are going to love your Cobras.

If you have never had one, take it slow at first, they can be a little twichy.

I agree that GT350 went for Crazy money. I just wish you guys had paid more for you 4000's;)

[GT500-07]

skunk, on Jan 18 2009, 10:12 AM, said:

i just realized that the pics used at barrett jackson were the EXACT same pics used to advertise my car when it was posted for sale. mine is 4940 and is the cover picture for www.shelbydistributionusa.com.. hmm.. i wonder who's car is actually in the picture?

nice Cobra
http://www.shelbydistribution.com/

[awakeinAZ]

Wow- very nice looking cars for both of you! Hopefully you have room in the garage!

If not, let me know

This post has been edited by awakeinAZ: 18 January 2009 - 09:48 AM

[Shlbylvr]

Congratulations on your new purchase!!!!

I'm positive you'll be having hours of fun in it.

[GT500-07]

skunk, on Jan 18 2009, 11:12 AM, said:

i just realized that the pics used at barrett jackson were the EXACT same pics used to advertise my car when it was posted for sale. mine is 4940 and is the cover picture for www.shelbydistributionusa.com.. hmm.. i wonder who's car is actually in the picture?

lot 1246.2
http://www.barrett-j...mp;d=01/18/2009

[GT500-07]

twobjshelbys, on Jan 18 2009, 08:34 AM, said:

I'll try to get some more detailed photos of the passenger compartment this morning. I probably won't get pictures up until mid week. The car will be shipped from Scottsdale so it'll probably be a week or so.

Now I'll be tempted to drive it around the block in the winter.

from BJ's web site
http://www.barrett-j...mp;d=01/18/2009

[cobra25]

twobjshelbys, on Jan 18 2009, 01:21 AM, said:

In general it "fits". The steering wheel is smaller than the one I sat in last summer and doesn't rub on my lap when I sit in it. The seat is too far forward and (of course) there is no adjustment, but I'm guessing it can be set back. Yes?

Yes
Both seats should be on sliders with an adjustment lever in the ususal position on the front of the seat. My passenger seat was a little sticky at first but, it works well now.
Oh and also, why you are waiting, get some clear spats for the rear fenders, before you rock up the nice paint on your first ride. I got mine from Finishline and they work well.

[switz]

Congrats on the car, it looks stunning. I was in touch with Mr. Becker all day on Saturday as he is the guy that is building my car; nice, honest guy. I was surprised the red 4000 didn't go for a little more but prices seemed down across the board...except for the guy who paid $350k for #1 Camero. We need lots of pics and details on the car.

This post has been edited by switz: 18 January 2009 - 05:43 PM

[08sgt1042]

Tony very impressive!!! It is a beautiful car I look forward to seeing at a breakfast sometime.

[twobjshelbys]

switz, on Jan 18 2009, 06:42 PM, said:

Congrats on the car, it looks stunning. I was in touch with Mr. Becker all day on Saturday as he is the guy that is building my car; nice, honest guy. I was surprised the red 4000 didn't go for a little more but prices seemed down across the board...except for the guy who paid $350k for #1 Camero. We need lots of pics and details on the car.

Steve Becker is an awesome Mustang and Cobra guy. He is the one that owns the "9000 mile GT500" that was at the Gunbarrell (CO) Shelby American Collection museum for a while and is now in prominent display at the Shelby Museum at SAI in Vegas.

[twobjshelbys]

While we were at the lineup waiting for my BJ to go inside I was talking with Jenni and Bill DenBeste from DenBeste Motor Sports (the Windsor, CA Cobra Dealer) came by and I asked him a little about the car. He said the LA means the car was built by HST. It's one of the few carbon fiber bodies - apparently people are leaning towards the fiberglass or aluminum versions.

I still don't understand how such a low numbered car stayed underground for so long. This site here (an excerpt from the Cobra book, which I will probably now have to buy):

http://books.google.......esult#PPA257,M1

lists it as being built in 1995. The motor serial number (a Roush/Shelby) has a very low serial number (427329) as well. The guy from Roush was going to look up info when he gets back from Pamona.

[twobjshelbys]

cobra25, on Jan 18 2009, 11:38 AM, said:

Yes
Both seats should be on sliders with an adjustment lever in the ususal position on the front of the seat. My passenger seat was a little sticky at first but, it works well now.
Oh and also, why you are waiting, get some clear spats for the rear fenders, before you rock up the nice paint on your first ride. I got mine from Finishline and they work well.

I did find the release for the slider and was able to move the seat quite a ways back. I think it'll fit!

Are all of the batteries behind the passenger seat? I guess I'd never paid attention to all those little details before.

I loved the sound of it. I was told, several times, as in "repeat after me" mode, that the shipper (in this case Intercity) is NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR COOLANT and if the engine block freezes it's my problem. So, knowing the low miles and that this probably sat indoors for its entire life (it is a southern CA car) that it was probably pretty weak. I got a tester and the radiator is low, the filler is in-line in the hose and the tester tube wouldn't reach. I got a screwdriver and took off the hose and barely got enough to show that it was pretty much water. So then I went to the local Autozone, got a siphon tube and put about 1.25 gallons of antifreeze in the system. I pretty much drained the radiator, so I should have a pretty good mix. Later about 6:00 last night as the (1) auction was ending and (2) I'm starting to get antsy to go to the airport the "car movers" were able to start it up and bring outside so we could warm it up to get the thermo open and get another sample. Well, it warmed up, I opened up the cap and it sprayed everywhere (under a rag of course). I took off the hose again, but the level was still too low to get a sample, but it was pretty rich so I'm guessing/hoping that it's OK. I'm pretty sure I at least got a 50-50 mix.

Anyway, the sound of the engine running was awesome. GT500KR guys got nothing on this !!!

While we had it out two of the BJ guys that move cars and were their "Cobra experts" came over and looked at it. They said it was a fine example. One guy explained that the original Ford sideoiler was all about torque, whereas the 289 cars were about high RPM speed. He said the engine in mine (the Shelby/Roush) is a Windsor and will be somewhere in between which is probably a good thing.

No estimate on how long it takes to get here. I have to wire the funds to BJ tomorrow since today is a holiday and then it will get scheduled on the truck.

I'm still amazed that I pulled this off.. This car is so awesome and if I'd gotten any of the other Mustangs I'd have not even tried, except that I think the GT350 was perhaps one of the nicest ones I'd ever seen and if I could have had that for this price I would have jumped, but I got the car I've wanted since I was 16.