A brace of Shelby Cobras has topped the sales chart at RM Auctions' Sam Pack Five Star Collection auction in Dallas 14-15 November, selling for more than $2m (£1,275,000). Unusually for such a large sale, every single lot got away, bringing in a grand total $11.5m (£7.35m).
Top of the pile was a 1967 Shelby 427 Cobra that fetched a whopping $1,292,500 (£826,000). The 425bhp car was described as being 'the ultimate roadgoing Cobra' and featured dual four-barrel carburettors, a four-speed transmission and its original Sunburst wheels and Blue Dot tyres – though Halibrand-style wheels are currently fitted. Only 260 roadgoing examples were built, with just 100 featuring the 428cu in Police Interceptor engine, making the car something of a rarity.
It was followed closely by a slab-sided 1963 289 Cobra, which sold for $880,000 (£562,000). Formerly owned by Ford Special Projects Director Jacques Passino, the car was upgraded with a 289cu in engine and repainted in red when it passed to its next owner in the 1970s, who kept the car until 2011. It was then moved on and restored by Geoff Howard, prior to being bought by Sam Pack.
The classics were followed by a 2006 Ford GT, which made $418,000 (£267,000). The high price can be attributed to having barely 18 miles on the clock, but it is also a sign that interest in these cars is growing – a view supported by a 2006 Heritage Edition GT selling for $475,000 (£303,000) in Chicago this October.
An incredible $280,500 (£179,000) was realised for a 1969 Shelby Mustang GT500 Convertible. The car is one of just 75 examples finished in Grabber yellow, and had been restored to its original specification.
The Fords didn't have it all their own way: a 1931 Chrysler CG Imperial Roadster with coachwork by LeBaron fetched $341,000 (£218,000). Only 100 examples were built, with this one of just 12 survivors.
