1965 Shelby 427 Cobra

Chassis No. CSX 3125

CSX 3125 was a very early production model, just the 25th street-specification 427 Cobra built originally finished in white with a black interior when first shipped to Gene Hamon Ford of Texas City, Texas in September 1965. After being sold to what is believed to be the original owner, and first known owner, Ron Lambeth of Dallas, Texas according to the SAAC World Registry this vehicle, was soon converted for full-blown track use. Lambeth proceeded to upgrade CSX 3125 to SCCA A-Production specification which consisted of adding wider Sunburst wheels, fitting larger brakes, adding a sleek competition windscreen, roll bar, side pipes, and aluminum cylinder heads in addition to a 36 gallon fuel tank, all sourced directly from Shelby. Once behind the wheel of his newly outfitted Cobra, Lambeth would prove to be quite successful at a number of regional races during the 1966 and 1967 seasons, with CSX 3125 soon qualifying for the American Road Race of Champions held at Daytona in 1967.

Having proved itself at the hands of the first owner, CSX 3125 would then move Northeast to its next owner, well-known racing driver John Paul Sr. of Burlington, Massachusetts. An infamous name within the racing community, Paul Sr. would later become one of the most wanted men in racing history who would begin with SCCA victories before graduating to a class win at Le Mans, Trans-Am Series title, World Challenge for Endurance Driver's, plus victories with his son at the 12 Hours of Sebring, and 24 Hours of Daytona before he would disappear in 2001.

Continuing in SCCA events, CSX 3125 would remain very successful assisting Paul with a first-place finish in the Northeast Division in both 1968 and 1969. While Paul would eventually decide to sell the car at the end of the 1969 season, the for-sale advertisement clearly detailed both the car's accomplishments and specification at this time “427 Cobra. 1969 Northeast Division Champion, '68 Area 1 Champion, 11 wins, 2 seconds in 15 starts last two seasons, all legal options, reinforced suspension, bronze bushings, big brakes, close-ratio transmission, fuel cell, rain tires and wheels, Aeroquip lines, etc.”

Interestingly, this Cobra would remain unsold through early 1970, it was during this period that the drivetrain and chassis were refreshed and the car was also repainted. Shortly after, CSX 3125 would be sold to Sylvia Smith of South Burlington, Vermont, who purchased it through her driver, trading her road-specification 427 Cobra (CSX 3309) in the process. Returning to the track for the 1971 season, CSX 3125 would again qualify for the American Road Race of Champions that year held at Road Atlanta where it would arrive with a fresh engine built by Gus Zuidema. Finishing 8th in Class and 14th overall, CSX 3125 would emerge as the event's highest-finishing A-Production Cobra.

After concluding its well-documented racing career of which many records and period images are available documenting how CSX 3125 was successfully raced without serious issue during the competition history, it then offered for sale in 1972. Eventually being sold two years later when it was purchased in 1974 by Peter Sheridan of London, England. Under Sheridan's ownership, it was returned to street use, remaining in the UK until 1980 when it was then sold to Rolf Saxer based in Switzerland. Remaining in Switzerland for the next sixteen years under the ownership of Saxer, it was later sold in 1996 to Bertold Theussen of Xanten, Germany.

Under ownership in Germany, a full restoration of CSX 3125 was commissioned before work was completed in 1997. While being restored, it is noted that upon stripping the paint, both its competition blue-with-white-stripe paintwork, in addition to the original white was found underneath. It was also confirmed at this time that CSX 3125 retained many of its original components including the chassis, body, drivetrain, and interior. It would remain in this configuration until 2005 when it was purchased by a Mr. Fonvielle and sent to a well-regarded specialist for restoration where it was to be returned to its 1960s specification as raced by John Paul Sr.

During the restoration CSX 3125 returned to its competition livery of blue with white stripes. At this time, the engine block was upgraded with a period-correct side-oiler block as the original was too worn out to be restored. The original seats and interior, sporting an incredible, well-preserved patina were preserved. In addition, CSX 3125 also retains its original owner's manual, still complete with handwritten notes listing the racing-specific components sourced for the car via Lew Spencer at Shelby American when new. Also included is a set of original bumpers and wheels, the original aluminum cylinder head, original widened sunburst wheels, original brake calipers, and many other desirable spare parts.

Offered with an exceptionally well-known and successful competition history, CSX 3125 has been expertly restored to as-raced specification and livery worn to many victories across period SCCA racing events. Displaying an impressive amount of factory correct components, this example not only enjoys a remarkable history, but has also crucially escaped many of the same traumas endured during vintage racing.