It goes without saying that any Shelby Cobra is a special and valuable machine, models that are cherished and coveted in the collector car world – whether they’re powered by the 289 cubic-inch Ford V8 or the more potent (and desirable) 427. In that same realm, the first and last of anything produced typically garners more interest than most, as we previously saw the final 427 Super Snake hit the auction block a few years ago and generate tremendous interest. Now, what’s purported to be the very last 289 Shelby Cobra to be “undiscovered” has been found, too.
In this video from Hagerty, we get to see how this particular 289 Shelby Cobra was “saved,” essentially, though it wasn’t exactly in danger, per se. Rather, a fellow named Alan had owned it for decades to this point, though it’s been sitting in storage since 1982. Another man named Tom has been pursuing it for the past 20 years, and on this particular day, he finally gets to see the special machine and bring it home. It was partially disassembled for restoration purposes, but that process wasn’t completed.
Tom brought along a noted Shelby Cobra expert, who does indeed verify that this vehicle is the real deal, and a later model with the larger V8 – not the 260 that was present in the first 75 or so examples built. It also has a two-barrel intake manifold, which is unusual, though it’s possible that part was added later on. Regardless, our expert verifies that this is the original engine, and even some parts that aren’t original – such as the gauges – are accompanied by the correct parts that are either in the trunk or stored nearby in another building.
After doing a little digging, our hosts discover that this Shelby Cobra changed hands a few times over the years and spent some time on the track, and it’s a later build, to boot. They even manage to find the title and registration for the car, as well as a ton of cool vintage parts in the other storage unit. Now, the Shelby Cobra is set to undergo an extensive restoration that will likely take around two years to complete, but obviously, it’ll be worth the effort.
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