Unmolested CSX 2356

[G-Pete]

Here some pictures of an unmolested CSX 2356.

The original article:

CSX 2356 was shipped to Detroit, Michigan as a factory demonstrator in 1964 and registered by the Ford Motor Company. Eight months later, and showing 3000 miles, it was virtually 'remanufactured' by Shelby American, including mostly new body panels. It was sold by Hi-Performance Motors in Los Angeles, as a new 1965 model in May of that year. The first private owner was Flora L. Darling, who owned it until her death in 2012 at the age of 1981. The car had been with her for 47 years. After her husband died in 1987, Mrs. Darling never again drove the Cobra. It was put away in her garage under two car covers, where it remained. The car still retains its original California black plats in their original 'Hi Performance Motors' frames and numerous California registration slips, as well as the original FoMoCo Michigan registration. The car still has its original spare, jack and handle, mallet, grease gun, and two vinyl bags, one with miscellaneous tools, and side curtains for both the hard and soft tops. The Cobra was repainted in the 1970s, and the seats were re-upholstered at that time.

This Cobra has its original ignition key, hood latch T-handle key, and its etched 'Cobra' sun visors and wind wings are intact.

In 2012, this car was offered for sale at RM Auction's Monterey, CA sale. It was estimated to sell for $400,000 - $500,000 and offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $792,000, inclusive of buyer's premium.

[Ghiblicup]

That is what I call "original"!
Great!

[601HP]

Fantabulous!

David

[Nedsel]

Far from original. Wrong paint, wrong upholstery, and some bondo beneath the paint.

[mickmate]

They all had bondo under the paint, some earlier and more than others. I see they painted the bumper grommets right in place. Neat old car.

[ItBites]

Is washing considered a sin for old cars? Does the dust really add to the mystique?

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by ItBites

Is washing considered a sin for old cars? Does the dust really add to the mystique?

Adds another 50-100K if you believe the TV auctions!

[Ghiblicup]

Originally Posted by Nedsel

Far from original. Wrong paint, wrong upholstery, and some bondo beneath the paint.

Doesn't the upholstery look period? Or should someone consider it "wanted to look like an original Cobra"???

[1985 CCX]

Gotta love the hype.......

[rodneym]

You guys are being waaay too critical!

The biggest hype on this car is that the owner lived 1,981 years!

[phattyhales]

While this is cool and a nice piece, to me it might as well be useless. You can't drive it... nice investment though for a collector.

[*13*]

Beautiful! Why can't one drive it? Why does one need to wash it? Patina is classy

[mikiec]

I hope the new owner leaves it like it is.

[Tim Brewer]

First thing I would do wash, wax and degrease that engine. Then I'd throw on a new set of tires.

[mickmate]

I would scrape some of Flora Darlings DNA off the car and see if we could make another one just like her, what a pistol she was!

[Ron61]

I like the looks of the car. I like that driven and used look more than the ones that are so highly restored and never driven.

Ron

[phattyhales]

Originally Posted by *13*

Beautiful! Why can't one drive it? Why does one need to wash it? Patina is classy

Being all original and having as few miles as it does driving it would add miles to the clock and the value would drop. Classic car collector attitude. I'd rather get a used and abused one than an all original one. Or better yet, a near exact replica that I could thrash around all I want and use it how it was meant to be used without fear of it losing value.

[A-Snake]

Originally Posted by phattyhales

Being all original and having as few miles as it does driving it would add miles to the clock and the value would drop. Classic car collector attitude. I'd rather get a used and abused one than an all original one. Or better yet, a near exact replica that I could thrash around all I want and use it how it was meant to be used without fear of it losing value.

Where did you get the impression this was an "all original.."

[phattyhales]

Originally Posted by A-Snake

Where did you get the impression this was an "all original.."

Correction, mostly original. Different paint and seat color.

[Nedsel]

Not to mention vinyl seats instead of leather. And the various spiders and their webs were thrown in for FREE!