Story
1962 Shelby Cobra
The first Cobra joined an AC-built aluminum roadster and tube chassis with Ford's compact 260-cubic-inch V8 and Shelby American development. CSX2000 was the sole prototype; production cars followed with related but not identical details. This page keeps those boundaries visible instead of turning every engine, gearbox, or competition variation into another car page.
The 260 program
The regular 1962 story is the high-performance Ford 260. Period-car records report about 260 horsepower, but induction and tune must be tied to the individual chassis. Later 289 conversions are common in surviving early Cobras and belong in ownership history, not in a claim that the 289 was the standard 1962 delivery engine.
Four-speed and AC chassis
Every reviewed example uses a four-speed manual, but the accessible evidence describes both an early cast-iron Ford gearbox and a Borg-Warner T10. The exact case, ratios, shifter, linkage, dates, and original installation therefore require the chassis invoice and inspection. The 90-inch-wheelbase tube chassis used independent suspension at both ends with transverse leaf springs, a Salisbury differential, and Girling disc brakes. CSX2000's inboard rear discs were prototype-specific and are not generalized to production cars.
Hand-built equipment
The slab-side aluminum body, wire wheels, simple two-seat cabin, weather equipment, and ordered accessories vary across these hand-built cars. Surviving records document red-and-black competition trim, chrome wheels, racing tires, and Class A equipment on individual chassis. CSX2000's changing promotional colors are history, not a factory color chart.
Production and identity
Shelby histories report 75 Cobras in the early 260 program, including 62 street cars, across 1962 and 1963. Completion, invoice, sale, and title dates do not align cleanly enough to publish that as a 1962-only total.
Authentication starts with the CSX chassis and its documentary chain. The Registry, Shelby and AC paperwork, body and frame construction, engine and gearbox, suspension, brakes, original finishes, component dates, and ownership history must agree. A replica, continuation car, rebody, later 289 or 427 installation, hood scoop, stripe, roll bar, or racing body treatment cannot establish original 1962 identity by appearance alone.
Market context
The market records include street, competition, restored, converted, and prototype examples. CSX2000's exceptional sale is historically incomparable. Every value belongs to one chassis with its own Registry standing, documentation, drivetrain history, competition record, condition, and restoration quality; none is an appraisal of another car.