Collector cars worth six and seven figures typically hit auction blocks in pristine, highly original condition. A bit of celebrity provenance never hurts, either, as proven by the record-setting auction of the Steve McQueen Bullitt Mustang just about a year ago (an auction record that was one-upped later in 2020 by the famous "Flying Mustang" Shelby test car). Of course, just about anything "The King of Cool" ever touched now commands a pretty penny, so perhaps collectors are looking for that next famous gearhead whose possessions could one day skyrocket in value.
If one star had to stand out, Paul Walker might just be the it and now. That proposition will be tested when a Shelby Cobra CSX1000 "FAM" car that formerly belonged to the face of the Fast and Furious franchise hits the auction block at Mecum's Glendale 2021 event being held from March 18-20.
Commissioned By Shelby Himself
The Mecum listing goes in-depth on name-dropping, as this car wasn't just a piece of Paul Walker history but also a piece of Carroll Shelby's legend. Apparently, this car was one of 14 examples personally commissioned by Shelby from AC Motor Holdings and one of just two built as the FAM editions. (FAM allegedly stands for "Ferrari's ass is mine" after Shelby built up some rage following his loss to Ferrari in 1964).
Big V8 Under The Hood
The original Shelby Cobras were well-known as widowmakers, so this continuation special bearing serial number CSX1010 should be an absolute demon with an aluminum Shelby 427ci V8 pumping out a claimed 550 horsepower. That grunt is routed to the rear wheels through a Tremec TK0600 five-speed stick shift, while other mechanical highlights include rack-and-pinion steering, a remote oil cooler, a high-capacity aluminum radiator, and coil springs all around. Braking is handled by Wilwood discs with Shelby calipers.
The Best Of The Rest
The interior looks absolutely pristine finished with a wood-rimmed steering wheel, competition lap belts, custom Shelby carpets, and a Ford T-bar shifter. Note the tiny dash-mounted rearview mirror, the black roll bars dipping down behind the seats, and classic toggle switches and control knobs that hark back to the early days when "The Chicken Farmer from Texas" brought the heat to Le Mans. The car formerly sold with an asking price of $395,000 from Hillbank Motor Corporation, so all that remains to be seen is how high this piece of automotive and Hollywood history will climb at auction in March.
Sources: mecum.com and hillbankusa.com.