CSX3240 Information

[Atomsk]

Ernie:

The current owner of CSX3245, the green car, is asking $375,000

[Excaliber]

Atomsk, Perhaps CSX3240 is worth all of that,,,,,, more?

I'm sure the current owner understands the value of the car he holds and simply doesn't need the money. I've found as I get older "quality of life" issues take a back seat to money.

[MysteryTrain]

zipzip,

Great pictures. Keep us all updated on the status of this car.

Also, could you post a little bit about Mr. Yoshida? I'd like to know more about him and would love to hear some of the left 'em in the dust stories he told you.

If I had that car, I would die before selling it to get a Ferrari or Lambo.

thanks again

MT

[Ron61]

Great pictures of a great car. I don't think I would touch a thing on it and just leave it as it is. Keep it in this shape for a few more years and the price will be even more. That is an amazing find in the garage that is actually true. Thanks for sharing it Zip.

Ron

[clayfoushee]

Another thing that makes this car extremely valuable is that it has been with the same owner since new.....simply a remarkable find!

[TimG427]

Check out this link, nearly an identical car. A car like this, still in the original owners hands and unrestored is worth an amazing amount of money. So many of these cars have been altered, abused and cut up that finding an unmolested example is thrilling.
Anyone that has read the Registry can tell you that so many Cobras have questions about their past. I feel the value of this car is well above that of a "regular" Cobra in street trim.
I chase original '67 big block Corvettes all over the country and to find one the equivalent of this car would add quite a bit to the value.

http://www.pacificsites.com/~brooke/CSX3282.shtml

[HIQ]

This is the type of car that could bring big $$ at Barrett Jackson. An unrestored Cobra in great condition would be a great addition to anyone's collection.

[zipzip]

Mystery:

I only had a short amount of time with Mr. Yoshida, but the stories were great! He told of when he picked the car up and was scared $#@#less on the way home. He said he went out at 2 am for the next couple of weeks to "learn" how to drive the car!

He lived in Chicago and was a chemist. He told me of the time that some "rednecks" in a GTO came up to a stoplight and were teasing him about his small car and how it might knock their kneecaps off.... Well he said he revved it to blow the carbon out, then pretty much left them standing at the light... The next stopsign he waited for them to catch up and they (with their mouths open) asked him "what is that???" With a one finger salute, he took off again...

Oh, and he also said he always kept some money clipped to his drivers license for those times when he got pulled over...

I feel lucky to have spent the time with him and see such a rare find. I'll share some of the info you've supplied with him. I don't know what his plans are for the car - he was either intentionally not specific or just doesn't know. Perhaps he'll hire me to restore it.....?

[TimG427]

This car is amazing. I have seen so many cars in the Registry with no history and wondered where they were, here is one of them. The Registry can protect his car and he should submit information. Often, folks that "create" a car will use the Registry information to find a "lost" car and produce a car around that ID number. It happens with Shelby Mustangs quite a bit.
Looks like the Goodyear tires are vintage tires, I'd think the rears would be toast. More shots, more shots.
Thanks for the post.

[Wayne Maybury]

Absolutely amazing. We hear so many stories about this car or that car in a barn somewhere that almost always turns out to be something else. Here is a REAL find, a genuine unrestored Cobra that is still owned by the original buyer.

Zip, did he say why he hasn't driven it in so many years? Tell us more.

Wayne

[clayfoushee]

Zipzip,

You belong to a rare club....someone who has ACTUALLY FOUND a missing original in the original owner's garage. If you have established a relationship with Mr. Yoshida, you should strongly suggest he get some expert advice. First and foremost, it would be a HUGE MISTAKE to touch this car in any way.

Tim and HIQ are right that an unrestored original is likely worth far more than a restored one, with the possible exception of some of the legendary race cars. You should also encourage him to get it in the Shelby registry ASAP. IMHO, this car belongs in a collection in an untouched state.

Good work!

[TimG427]

I'd love this car, it is out of my league, though.
If I could convince my wife and kids to live in the car we could sell the house to raise the cash.
How do you like the "fasten seat belt" sticker
The front bumber has been removed.

[Excaliber]

Special K,

Speaking of that blue overflow tank, have you ever seen pics or heard of another one like that? Original color or replacement tank at some point in the cars hitsory?
And that radio antenna, stock?

Restored I suspect the tank would be painted black and the antenna would be missing. The single Auto Lite Ford carb would be replaced with two Hollys. What else would be "missing"?

Makes you wonder what else were NOT seeing on the restored cars.

Ernie

[computerworks]

Ernie... on other cars of that vintage, the expansion tanks were blue... as demonstrated, at least, by 3251 and, the car Tim referenced, 3282.

...and they would be 1x4's

The radio could have been dealer or aftersale installation.

[TimG427]

I'm sure not a Ford expert, but the blue intake, carbs and blue overflow tank make me think this could be a factory 428 car.

[Excaliber]

Thanks Ron

So as far as I can figure there were three BASIC variations of the 427 model.

Comp car, single four barrel, only 30 or so made?

"SC", twin four barrels, and seems to be the one most often replicated (using either single or dual carbs). Were they mostly 427 or 428? Number made?

Street, single four barrel, 427 or 428? Number made?

Ernie

[Byots]

Ron - There is one 427 publicity magazine article from '66 or '67 where a radio is visible, so it was likely installed by SA or their local SA owned dealer. The black radio mounting plate that's attached to the two vertical tubes in 3240 seems to be an SA item (I've seen at least one 427 car with a cruder mounting plate). I'd like to speak with the owner, I emailed "zipzip", but did not hear back from him. As you probably know, the antennas were usually installed in the rear deck area, this is the first I've seen otherwise......

[TimG427]

I would give anything just to be able to spend a weekend cleaning the car. One good weekend of water, wax and some Simple Green would turn that car into a gem.
I'll be in the area for the Road America vintage races this summer, I'll bring the supplies.

[computerworks]

...that's why I thought dealer or aftersale, even self install.

There is some other interesting electrics going on down there as well.

This is where I have seen the antenna...

[zipzip]

Yep, he said he stopped driving it in '68 or '69, but didn't really say why.... But it has been sitting since then.

Next time I'm up (which hopefully will be soon), I'll definately try to get more/better pics. Anything specific?

About the radio: Mr. Yoshida said he installed it - AM only.

Sorry about the emails: since hotmail did an "upgrade", I haven't been receiving any from CC. I added the domain on the "safe" list, but still nothing. Perhaps Ron could look into it?

Anyway, my email is praneis@hotmail.com if you'd like to send me a note.