Steve McQueen's Shelby 289 Cobra Roadster to be Offered in Monterey: At Mecum's Auctions : AUGUST 15-17
1963 Shelby 289 Cobra Roadster - Hollywood Legend Steve McQueen Maintained Possession of CSX2161 from 1965 to 1967
Estimate: $1,250,000 - $1,500,000
Odometer reads† 27,544 kilometers
VIN / Serial CSX2161
1963 Shelby 289 Cobra Roadster
ENGINE 289 CI V-8
TRANSMISSION 4-Speed Manual
EXTERIOR COLOR Black
INTERIOR COLOR Black
CSX2161 was driven regularly by McQueen throughout his stewardship
McQueen enjoyed CSX2161 so deeply that he advocated for the privilege of retaining it for several months after it was sold to its next owner
CSX2161 retains its original body and engine
Originally invoiced to Wolper Productions in Los Angeles and registered to noted film producer David L. Wolper
Wolper is credited with producing such films and documentaries as "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory", "The Thorn Birds", "Roots" and "L.A. Confidential”
Billed to Shelby American on July 16, 1963
Shipped to Los Angeles on July 22, 1963, aboard the SS Pacific Fortune
Elmer Bernstein acquired the Cobra from Wolper in 1965 and provided the car to Steve McQueen
When purchased in late 1967 by Richard A. Mathis, permission was granted to McQueen to maintain possession for several more months before Mathis eventually took ownership
Mathis sold the car two years later to Wayman McCoo, brother of singer Marilyn McCoo and road manager for her group "Fifth Dimension”
The car was imported to Switzerland in 2003
Around this time, the car was repainted in Black with a driver's roll bar, 15x6.5 inch FIA Halibrand wheels, a hood scoop and chrome rear quick jacks were installed
The car resided in the United Kingdom from 2006-2024
MOT test certificates
FIVA identity card
Copy of U.K. registration certificate
U.K homologation paperwork
Copies of previous registrations
CD of restoration images
AC Club owner's card
History listed in the Shelby Registry
THE STORY
Shelby No. CSX2161, this 1963 Shelby Cobra’s well documented history includes the magic of association with Hollywood legend Steve McQueen, who maintained personal possession of it from 1965 to late 1967. Billed to Shelby American on July 16, 1963, and shipped to Los Angeles on July 22 aboard the SS Pacific Fortune, CSX2161 was originally finished in silver with a red interior and equipped with the Class A Accessories package comprising a chromed air cleaner and valve covers, chromed front and rear bumper guards, a chromed luggage rack, wind wings and tinted sun shades, competition seat belts, a Smith heater and whitewall tires.
It was originally invoiced on October 30, 1963, to Wolper Productions of Los Angeles and registered to noted film producer David L. Wolper, who produced such films and documentaries as "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory," "The Thorn Birds," "Roots" and "L.A. Confidential.” Conductor/composer Elmer Bernstein acquired the Cobra from Wolper in 1965 and loaned it to his friend, McQueen, who maintained possession for more than a year. The Cobra was then purchased in 1967 by Manhattan Beach, California, resident Richard A. Mathis, who allowed McQueen to continue using the car “for several more months before Mathis pried it from his grasp.”
