Stunning Bronze CSX Cobra Packs Incredible Power
Gaze into the mirror-like finish of remarkable bronze 427 Cobra and reflect upon the hours it must have taken to achieve such a look.
Will we ever get tired of seeing a Shelby Cobra? We truly doubt it. However, this one attracts attention that most do not. While we feel the need to disclose that this is a replica, it is undoubtedly a cool one. This Cobra, or “CSX 4600,” as it is known, was built by Kirkham Motorsports out of Utah. The company has been producing Cobra replicas since 1994, so this is definitely not their first attempt. Every Kirkland Cobra’s body is hand-manufactured in Poland at a former aircraft manufacturing facility. While they are typically crafted from aluminum, someone at Kirkham decided that this one should stand out even more than usual.
CSX 4600 is currently for sale via RM Sothebys. The bronze body is handcrafted and polished to a mirror-like finish. Though, some Cobra traditions had to be upheld. To comply, CSX4600 has brushed racing stripes to break up the reflective finish and complete the Cobra look. As if the insane bodywork isn’t enough, things only get wilder when you lift the hood.
Fearsome Power to Compliment the Look
Powering this beautiful beast is a Carroll Shelby Engine Company built V8 that started life as a 427. However, it has been bored and stroked to 511 cubic-inches. Unlike original Cobras, this engine is fuel injected. Eight Borla individual throttle bodies rest atop the intake manifold, looking reminiscent of old-school velocity stacks. How much power? Well, we’re glad you asked. This car comes with a dyno sheet verifying 650 horsepower and 670 pound-feet of torque.
This is true in the spirit of Shelby Cobra. Shelby was known for modernizing and adding more power to his own cars. That being said, we imagine he’d be smiling over a modernized version with over 200 more horsepower than the original. Putting the power to the wheels is a five-speed manual transmission. Additionally, it has 3.54 rear gears. Needless to say, this Cobra has plenty of brute.
Inside you’ll find a collection of period-correct leather bucket seats, leather dash, and gauges to keep you in the 1965 mindset. A lovely touch is a tachometer and speedometer with Carroll Shelby’s signature.
Lofty Price for a Legendary Ride
The RM Sotheby’s website states that you must call for the price. That puts the usual old saying in our heads: If you have to ask, you can’t afford it. However, the nice folks over at Motor Authority made it easier on us. According to them, the asking price is $475,000. When you consider the hand-crafted body and the amount of time that must have gone into it, that number starts to seem fairly reasonable. Especially when considering the 511 cubic inch engine costs over $30,000 on its own.
Overall, this is an opportunity to own a super interesting Shelby Cobra replica. If a standard Cobra just isn’t special enough for you, maybe this one will do the trick. The nice thing about replica Cobras, though, is the chances it’ll see some time on the street and not be locked away for good are substantially higher than with a real one.
Photos: RM Sothbys