2021 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction (Shelby’s Personal Cobra Announcement)

Barrett-Jackson announced Carroll Shelby’s personal 1966 Cobra 427 Super Snake CSX 3015 for the 50th Scottsdale, Arizona, collector car auction in March 2021.

1966 Shelby Cobra 427 Super Snake CSX 3015 on offer at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Sale 2021
© Barrett-Jackson

Carroll Shelby’s personal 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 Super Snake CSX 3015 is the latest top car announced for Barrett-Jackson’s 50th Scottsdale, Arizona, collector car auction in March 2021. From the same collection, the 1955 Ford Thunderbird VIN 005 — the first production Thunderbird sold to the public — and several classic Chevrolets will also be on offer without reserve.

Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Collector Car Auction 2021

The Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction in January (March in 2021!) is unlike anything else. It’s an all-encompassing automotive festival that celebrates the incredible diversity of the automobile. It’s an event that combines the excitement and thrills of an auction with a continuous variety of activities and events. The 2021 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction was rescheduled from the usual mid-January to the week of 22 March 2021 at Westworld of Scottsdale, Arizona, USA.

In 2021, Barrett-Jackson sold in total, 1,054 vehicles for over $95 million, while over 1,000 pieces of automobilia brought in over $4.4 million, and $5.8 million was raised through the sale of charity vehicles, bringing the total auction sales to more than $105 million with a 100-percent sell-through rate and over 95 world-record auction sales achieved.

The 2020 Scottsdale Auction was the largest-ever auction held by Barrett-Jackson and its most successful. Over 1,900 Resto-Mods, classics, and supercars sold for more than $129.7 million, and over 1,200 pieces of automobilia brought in well over $3.7 million. The sale of nine charity vehicles – including the first-ever C8 Corvette – raised $7.65 million for great causes.

Carroll Shelby’s Personal Cobra 427 Super Snake at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale 2021

1966 Shelby Cobra 427 Super Snake CSX 3015 on offer at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Sale 2021
© Barrett-Jackson

Barrett-Jackson announced that CSX 3015, the only remaining 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 Super Snake (Lot #1396) built personally for Carroll Shelby, will be auctioned as part of a private collection crossing the block during the Scottsdale Auction late March 2021.

The 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 Super Snake CSX 3015 is one of only 23 total 427 competition roadsters built. A year later it was transformed for racing legend Carroll Shelby into the Super Snake and reclassified as 427 Cobra Semi-Competition (S.C.). Shelby American added twin Paxton superchargers to the 427ci V8 and mated it to a 3-speed automatic transmission that could handle the massive power. The car was wicked fast and became a cultural icon. For the smaller budget, also selling from the collection is a 1965 Shelby Cobra CSX 4000 Series (Lot #1353) continuation car, which was commissioned by Carroll Shelby and was the 21st sold to the public.

“CSX 3015 is arguably one of the most iconic, and important, American sports cars ever built,” said Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson. “In 1968, Road & Track called it ‘The Cobra To End All Cobras,’ and it has more than lived up to that standard. When it first crossed our block in 2007, Carroll was there and told the story of how he got pulled over by the Nevada Highway Patrol doing 190 mph in the car. Its sale ended up setting a new world record for any Shelby vehicle sold at auction. Carroll often said, ‘make history, then repeat it,’ and that’s exactly what we hope to do again. This car was truly ‘Carroll’s Cobra,’ and it, along with other incredible vehicles selling from this private collection, will make collector car history next month.”

Barrett-Jackson sold the 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 Super Snake CSX 3015 for $5,115,000 in a post-hammer deal at the 2015 Scottsdale auction, which was less than the $5.5 million it achieved at its Scottsdale 2007 sale.

1965 Shelby 427 Cobra Roadster Top Results at the Mecum Kissimmee 2021 sale
© Mecum

In January 2021, another Cobra Carroll Shelby owned from new until his death, 1965 Shelby 427 Cobra Roadster, CSX 3178, sold for a remarkable $5,940,000, as the top result at the Mecum Kissimmee 2021 collector car auction. Many observers found that result a bit over the top.

More Cars at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale 2021 Sale

1955 Ford Thunderbird VIN 005 on offer at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Sale 2021
© Barrett-Jackson

Seventeen additional collectible vehicles from the same collection will be offered with No Reserve, including a rare 1955 Ford Thunderbird VIN 005 (Lot #1355.1), which is the first-production Thunderbird ever sold to the public.

Late-model exotics from the private collection include a 2012 Ferrari 458 Italia (Lot #1354). Powered by a 562 horsepower V8 engine mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, this Ferrari set a new standard for modern supercars at the time. Designed by Pininfarina and Jason Castriota, a 2010 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorana HGTE (Lot #1354.1) in the collection is powered by a 6.0-liter V12 engine producing 612 horsepower and mated to a 6-speed F1 automated manual transmission. One of only 410 sold in the U.S, a 2007 Porsche 911 GT3 RS (Lot #1353.1), is powered by the legendary Mezger Flat-6 engine mated to a 6-speed manual transmission.

Four classic Chevrolets are included in the sale of this private collection, including a 1969 Yenko Chevelle (Lot #1355), which is one of only 99 built and the only one known to exist with a column-shift automatic transmission. A 1968 Chevrolet Corvette COPO convertible (Lot #1120) is the only one known to be finished in British Green with a Dark Orange leather interior. Powered by a 7.0-liter GM LS7 topped with a Magna supercharger, a 1969 Camaro Custom Coupe (Lot #1352) received a no-expense-spared rotisserie restoration. One of only 3,675 produced, a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Indy Pace Car convertible (Lot #1121) is a genuine Z11-coded RS/SS Indy 500 Pace Car.

“The vehicles selling from this private collection are all absolutely spectacular, but the Super Snake is one of my all-time favorite cars in the world, bar none,” said Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson. “From historic and late-model, domestic and import to supercar and muscle car, this private collection literally has it all. I’m really looking forward to being at WestWorld when these vehicles cross the block, making collector car history and finding new homes with the next generation of collectors.”

Scottsdale and Arizona Car Auctions 2021

Scottsdale & Arizona Auctions 2021

Many auction houses have sales (live, online, or a combination) during the annual Scottsdale week in mid-January (and end March 2021), including amongst others:

  • Barett-Jackson: Postponed until the week of 22 March 2021 in Scottsdale, Arizona — live auction.
  • Bonhams: 21 January 2021 in Scottsdale, Arizona — live auction.
  • Gooding & Company: 22 January 2021 — online only.
  • RM Sotheby’s: 22 January 2021 in Scottsdale, Arizona — live auction.
  • Russo and Steele: 23 January 2021 in Scottsdale, live but private event with restricted admission.
  • Worldwide Auctioneers: 23 January 2021 in Auburn, Indiana (but keeping the Scottsdale auction name!)

Scottsdale & Arizona Sales 2021 — Auction Results

Scottsdale & Arizona Sales 2021 — Auction Previews

Scottsdale & Arizona Sales 2021 — Pre-Auction Announcements:

Scottsdale & Arizona Sales 2020 – Auction Results