1963 Shelby 289 Cobra by J.A. Ackley
Feb 5, 2025
Photography courtesy RM Sotheby's
Yes, this is an authentic Shelby 289 Cobra. However, it’s not your typical one. Let us explain.
First, Ford used this example as one of its demonstrator cars, covering 6000 miles in that role. Then the Shelby changed hands. While its first private owner is unknown, its second crashed it, destroying the aluminum body. The body went to a landfill and the rest of the car sat for two decades.
Enter drag racer Chet Bunch in 1995. He restored it, had a new body crafted and brought the Shelby back to life. Over the course of two decades, Bunch made some upgrades, too. The chassis was discretely reinforced, taking inspiration from the Daytona Coupes. A rocker-arm coil-over suspension replaced the leaf springs. And, among other mods, he installed a 302 V8 stroked to 347 cubic inches, producing more than 500 horsepower.
Find this 1963 Shelby 289 Cobra for auction at RM Sotheby’s, with an estimated value of $500,000-$600,000.
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Price
Price upon request
Color
Black
