Rare Shelby Cobra CSX 2003, a prototype from 1962, leads historic and modern American performance lineup at Monterey sale.
One of the earliest Shelby Cobras ever built, chassis CSX 2003, will headline Broad Arrow’s Monterey Jet Center Auction this August, joining a slate of rare American performance cars in one of the year’s most anticipated collector car events.
The 1962 Shelby Cobra, CSX 2003, is considered among the most historically significant Cobras in existence. Built before Shelby American was fully operational, it was completed at the Pittsburgh-based dealership of Ed Hugus—an early backer of Carroll Shelby’s plan to combine British chassis with American V8 power.
The car is one of the initial prototypes produced before Ford formally backed Shelby’s effort. Hugus’ shop played a key role in assembling the first Cobras, with CSX 2003 being the fourth example ever built. It retains its original Ford 260 cubic-inch V8, four-speed transmission and red interior, preserved by its longtime Virginia owner, Dr. Richard McAdam, who acquired the car in 1989 and drove it regularly before storing it in climate-controlled care. Shelby himself reportedly praised the car’s condition after seeing it in person during a Ford-hosted tribute event in Washington, D.C.
Estimated to sell for $1.5 million to $2 million, CSX 2003 will be joined on the auction block by modern American performance icons, including a 2011 Hennessey Venom GT (chassis 03 of 13) and six cars from The American Performance Collection. Among them are two rare 2017 Dodge Viper ACR models and a 2023 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE.
The Monterey Jet Center Auction runs August 13–14 and will offer up to 150 vehicles. The annual event, held during Monterey Car Week, attracted $71.5 million in sales last year.
More information is available at broadarrowauctions.com.
