The words ultra-rare and Shelby go together like peanut butter and jelly. Some of the most expensive auction cars to ever cross the block have carried Carroll Shelby’s moniker on them. The upcoming Greensboro Auto Auction in Greensboro, North Carolina, features a Shelby that is sure to bring record money.
Unlike most Shelby Cobras, however, this is a relatively modern creation. It is the only 2004 Ford Shelby Cobra ever built. It his the auction block on November 3, 2017 and is likely to venture well into the six-digit range and possibly higher.
A Modern Twist
When you’ve already done an all-new Ford GT and Mustang, you ask yourself, ‘What would the next step be?’ — J Mays, Ford Motor Company
Some 40 years later, Ford’s Advance Production Creative team decided to recreate the legendary Cobra by applying the same ideas that Carroll Shelby did in the 1960s but with the best technology available at the time. They started with the chassis from the then all new Ford GT super car and converted it from rear-engine form to the more traditional front-engine mount.
They then built an aluminum, 6.4-liter V10 engine specifically for the car. This powerplant cranked out just over 600 horsepower and just over 500 lb-ft of torque. Easily powering the lightweight Cobra from 0-60 in under four seconds. With what has been described as near-perfect weight distribution and brute-force acceleration, this is not your typical concept car. This Shelby performs like the world-class super car that it is.
Worthy Cause
Any time auction proceeds go to benefit a worthy cause the numbers automatically get a big boost from the crowd. This Shelby Cobra sale will go towards the restoration of Fair Lane, the early 1,900s home of Clara and Henry Ford. Aside from their automotive contributions, the Fords were instrumental in many other things that directly effected middle-class America. The restoration of this home will provide an attraction for people to come visit and learn about the Ford legacy for years to come.
2004 Cobra Engine Specifications
Type: 6.4-liter, Â 90-degree V10
Valvetrain: DOHC, four valves per cylinder
Compression Ratio: 10:8:1
Bore & Stroke: 3.66×3.70 inches
Horsepower: Â 605 at 6,750 rpm
Torque: 501 lb-ft at 5,500 rpm
The car will be on display at the Greensboro Auto Auction November 2-4, 2017Â and will cross the auction blocks on the the third. You can see all the info on the Shelby here.