1966 Shelby 427 Cobra Street Roadster
By Colin Comer
Chassis number: CSX 3187
Only 291 Cobras 427 Cobras were ever sold in America for street use, of which 31 were S/C ("Semi Competition")
Chassis #CSX 3187 was built in October 1965 by AC Cars in England and shipped to Shelby American's facilities in Los Angeles finished in red. JD Ball Ford in Miami, Florida sold it new to first owner Glenn Kendrick of Miami on March 23, 1966. Mr. Jack Wilhelm of Troy, Ohio owned 3187 by the early 1970s before selling it to J. Dawson, also of Ohio, who advertised the car in 1978 with 5,200 miles, Halibrand wheels, oil cooler and a newly balanced and blueprinted engine. The car had been refinished in Lincoln Starburst Silver. Dawson claimed it had been in storage since 1969.
The buyer was Jim Southard of Marietta, Georgia who sold it shortly thereafter to its current owners George and Kathleen Goudie. The car retained two of its original Halibrand Cobra 2 wheels and Goudie also purchased two additional Halibrand FIA wide rears. Although four new BF Goodrich tires were installed, he also retained the original Goodyear Blue Streak Sports Car Specials, presently fitted to the car.
However, as the silver paint began to show its age, the Goudies decided to return CSX 3187 to its original red finish and black leather interior. They started a nut-and-bolt restoration in their own G&K Classics shop in 1993, working it in among all the other projects.
The restoration was not a “frame-off”
During the eight-year job, a video documentary confirmed the high degree of originality in the car's equipment. Parts not specifically coded CSX3187 were found by their date codes to correspond with the build date. The body is original as confirmed by the CSX3187 markings on various places, including doors, hood and trunk lid - even the floor boards and tunnel inside the cockpit. One of the few additions is the oil cooler, a proper Coventry Radiator unit, which was added earlier in its history and the stainless steel side pipes, which Goudie admits was a difficult decision as it meant cutting holes in the fenders. The only items needing correction to return the car to factory-correct standards are the stainless steel screws used under the hood, various screw-type clamps and the bare aluminum wheel wells.
CSX3187 was completed in 2001 and never saw a drop of gas in its fuel tank until its appearance at the Amelia Island Concours in 2004, where it secured Best in Class honors. It remains in show-quality condition and has barely been driven in its three decades of single ownership. It currently shows less than 5,900 original miles.
The SCM Analysis: CSX3187 was sold for $675,000 inclusive of buyer’s premium at the RM Amelia Island Auction, March 14th 2009 against a pre-sale estimate of $700,000-900,000. Let’s dissect the sale:
Less than half the 160 originals are ‘good’ at this point
First, 3187 is a very well known 427 Cobra with a solid history. Furthermore, it is one of the “real” 427 cars, which are more desirable than the roughly 100 examples that left the factory with a 428, as RM indicates. Red is a great original color, and good original 427 street cars are indeed quite rare - I’d speculate less than half of the 160 original ones are technically “good” at this point.
The history of 3187 differs slightly from RM’s description according to the current Shelby American World Registry. Sold to second owner Wilhelm in 6/68, it was reportedly painted 1967 Oldsmobile Emerald Green, and soon lost its original 427 engine. No mention is ever made of the original engine being reunited with 3187 through 2008, so that does raise a question of originality. The catalog states that Dawson purchased the car in 1976, and painted the car silver before selling in March 1978, so there might be a missing owner between Wilhelm and Dawson. The claim of “in storage since 1969” seems a bit of a stretch, using these dates. Southard had the car for about a month before selling to Goudie, who actually advertised it for sale in 1981 for $75k, with no takers.
Side exhausts are now frowned upon
Beside the engine question, the only two items that likely hurt the value were the sidepipes, and perhaps the oil cooler - although that is a sensible upgrade. Cobra purists have grown to appreciate the non-kit car look of a car with factory undercar exhaust, and sidepipes are now frowned upon. I’d estimate it’s a $25k project to install proper manifolds (if they could be found), repair the holes, and fabricate a correct exhaust. Problem solved. The incorrect hardware isn’t an issue, nor are the chrome-plated bits. 3187 was a very well restored and correct car, a rare occurrence in the world of 427 Cobras as most have been heavily modified, or worse yet, been substantially re-skinned after drivers ran out of talent. I inspect Cobras on a regular basis for clients, and questionable repairs, new aluminum and repaired/replaced chassis are the norm rather than the exception.
So with good 427 cars widely considered $750k+ cars, what happened to 3187? Besidses the engine question, I suspect some bidders held back a little due to the trailered show car status of 3187, assuming that it would need recommissioning and sorting before any road use.
I also think the fact that the Goudies low cost-basis in the car had a lot to do with the sale. They had owned the car for 30 years and In 1978, these were $40k cars. Even after the expense of restoration, the owners weren’t upside down in the car, as many are today. I suspect the car was “loose and selling” when it was unloaded at Amelia.
More than anything else, the synchronized global recession we are experiencing was likely the largest contributing factor in this sale. You had a long-term owner who could “afford” to sell, and a buyer willing to buy a $675k car in the worst economy any of us have experienced. That, to me, is a sign that the best cars are still holding strong despite world events. Remember, even just five years ago, 427 Street cars were in the $350-450k range so this is a solid result.
You might call this a deal made in heaven. A good, well-known car, a willing and realistic seller, and a logical buyer realizing he had the opportunity to buy a car that may have not been available even 12 months ago - and even better, to buy it today at a discount. To me, everybody wins, and I call CSX3187 an extremely good buy. Good for the Goudies not selling in 1981, and for the lucky new owner who was in the right place at the right time.
DETAILS
Years produced: 1965-67
Number produced: 260
Original list price: $7,495
SCM Valuation: $675,000-$825,000
Tune-up/Major Service: $500 - including adjusting valves and adjusting dual carburetors
Distributor Cap: $15
Chassis #: Tag riveted to Passenger foot box, engine compartment and stamped on right front frame rail near upper control arm
Engine #: Casting number and date code lower front
Club: Shelby American Automobile Club, Team Shelby
More: www.saac.com, www.teamshelby.com
Alternatives:
SCM Investment Grade: A
