If there’s anyone that loves Shelby Cobras as much as we do, it is surely Lynn Park, who has a vast collection of Shelby Cobras that are all original. However, one Cobra in particular caught the interest of Hagerty. The original 289 Shelby Cobra we’re discussing is dubbed ‘Dirtbag,’ and Lynn has owned it more than 23 years.

Lynn recalled acquiring the car back in 1995. Prior to him picking it up, it sat under a blue tarp for quite some time after the original owner had parked it when something had allegedly broke. Dirtbag might be almost as original as they come, however. The paint isn’t in amazing shape, but at least it’s all still one color.

That familiar 289ci V8 still adorns the Cobra under its hood, albeit with a new water pump, fuel pump, and carburetor. (Photo Credit: Hagerty)

At first, Lynn believed his newly acquired Shelby deserved a proper restoration, but after a conversation with a legend, he had some reservations. After all, as the saying goes, “They are only original once.”

“I wanted to restore the car,” Lynn said. “Carroll Shelby saw it at one of the Cobra days at the Petersen Museum and he said, ‘Look at all these shiny cars. No one’s looking at them — they’re all over here looking at this thing. You oughta leave this alone.’ And I said, ‘You know what? If it’s good enough for Shelby it’s good enough for me.'”

Check out the rest of Lynn’s Shelby Cobra collection here.