Shelby Series 1 Cars

[eric lipper]

It is possible that I am dense and that my ineptitude if why I just can't find it but are the Series 1 cars on our website anywhere?  This one has the last VIN NO. XXXX255 and a CSX in the 5000's.  Although I am still trying to decide if I think the car is ugly I am still considering adding one of those to my Shelby collection (66, 67, 69) so that is why I wanted to reach out to the registrar team.  Frankly, I really wanted to know if there is any history on this particular car --- Google has not been my friend on this one.  Thanks for your help.

[Bill]

SAAC does not track the series 1, non ford powered cars. That would be Team Shelby, or SAI directly. Team Shelby might be helpful, forget about getting any data or history out of SAI, theirs only flows one way, not the other.


Bill

[98SVT - was 06GT]

None of the Shelby magic or mystique has attached itself to these cars. His goal to build a car from a blank sheet ended up with dated Corvette chassis parts, pedestrian engine, many off the shelf detroit pieces, it failed to meet it's promises on about every level.

https://www.hagerty.com/media/car-profiles/why-isnt-the-shelby-series-1-worth-more/

I know at least one (but heard others got the same deal) ex employee was given a Series 1 and cash in lieu of an all cash buyout of their contract on the way out the door.

Team Shelby may be of little help. Shelby has pulled TS inhouse as a marketing tool. Their forums now require TS membership - $50.
MAKE A TEAM SHELBY ACCOUNT TODAY!
When becoming a member of Team Shelby you gain access to some awesome content, tools and features!

[Side-Oilers]

I tested the first two prototypes, with CS, for a Motor Trend exclusive cover story.  Also drove the first pre-production car, and top speed tested two production cars...one of which was supercharged (which they built especially for that test) then decided to put into production.

I have definite opinions on why I think the car isn't worth more. 

[Poor Ron]

Get a copy of "Snake Bit" by Eric Davison.

The book is true, and that is only a small piece of the truth.

The car is based on many Corvette & Camaro parts.
Has a 4.0 Aurora-Northstar engine with the cam gear advanced.

[eric lipper]

Thanks for all the comments and they were helpful.  At least I was not dense on why I could not find the car on here.  I guess my goal of having a complete Shelby collection (except a 65 GT 350) may not include a Shelby Series I even though this one is red.  Frankly, I never was looking for one of these until this one showed up in red and I only collect red cars (i.e. why no 65 GT350).  But at $182K I probably should focus on something else.

[tesgt350]

Then there is THIS Company..........

https://www.wingardmotorsportsandcustomcoaches.com/shelby-series-2

[Don Johnston]

They are coming out with a limited run (10) of another Shelby Series 2 production.  You can put a Ford engine in the roller this time around.
https://www.tprm.com/limited-edition-25th-anniversary-shelby-series-2-coupe-breaks-cover/?fbclid=IwAR2J_tOGn_JQGFqaM5lbAjn0neuAUfsfFbCV4HDbYDJl1mxWb1EQifpWdh4

[98SVT - was 06GT]

They are coming out with a limited run (10) of another Shelby Series 2 production.  You can put a Ford engine in the roller this time around.
https://www.tprm.com/limited-edition-25th-anniversary-shelby-series-2-coupe-breaks-cover/?fbclid=IwAR2J_tOGn_JQGFqaM5lbAjn0neuAUfsfFbCV4HDbYDJl1mxWb1EQifpWdh4

"They" is just another licensing scam. No connection to SA beyond a fee for a serial number tag. CS had planned a Coupe but the whole thing fell on its face and there are actually 2 distinct types of the first cars. Those that were factory built and federally certified 17 digit Vins and the leftovers that were basically kit cars and assembled with the CSX5000 series numbers.

The sorted details.......
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shelby_Series_1
During production, Venture Corporation purchased Shelby American. The purchase included the rights to the Series 1 model, but not the rights to produce the "Continuation Series" Shelby Cobras.[4] In 2004, after a subsequent bankruptcy by Venture Corporation, Carroll Shelby's new company Shelby Automobiles, Inc. purchased the Series 1 assets for pennies on the dollar. Included in the asset purchase were sufficient components to produce several more complete Series 1s.

Because the 1999 Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards certificate had expired, and the cost to re-certify the car was prohibitive, all Series 1's produced after that date were completed as "component cars" and delivered with no engine or transmission. Those "component car" models built in 2005 are identified with a seven digit vehicle identification number (VIN) and were designated with a CSX5000 series serial number. The original 249 were production cars with a seventeen digit VIN.

[Don Johnston]

Excellent summary of the history and current situation of hese cars.