According to the Shelby American Automobile Club Registry, CSX2003 was shipped to New York via boat, finished in Old English White over a red interior. The chassis, drivetrain and assembly kit were subsequently invoiced in the amount of $4,995 to Ed Hugus’s European Cars in Pittsburgh, where it was completed in his workshop as one of the earliest Cobras. The prototype featured an “Experimental High Performance” (XHP) 260-ci V8 engine equipped with a 4-barrel carburetor — tuned to deliver extra horsepower expressly to impress Ford’s Special Vehicles Team during the testing duties it would later undergo. Other fascinating pre-production features included black unvented fiberglass footboxes and trunk tray, a grease gun mounted on the right inner panel of the engine compartment, Wilmot Breeden Budget Lock T-handle hood latches, and 5.5-inch silver-painted wire wheels.
Owing to decades of devoted ownership, CSX2003 remains highly original today. Of the seven earliest Cobra prototypes built by Shelby and Hugus, only CSX2000, CSX2003 and CSX2006 remain unmolested and in their original configurations, with the others having been raced, crashed or rebuilt. Furthermore, CSX2003 retains its original “XHP” 260-ci engine, transmission, and rear end — a remarkable fact, as very few of these experimental engines have survived. In fact, it is believed to be the only chassis of the five Hugus-built prototypes to retain its extremely rare original XHP engine. The unit bears a February 12, 1962, date code (XHP260-2-12) and serial number $15A, while the cylinder head stamping (XE 106391) and intake manifold casting (XE-10639) both carry “XE” prefixes. Additionally, original and correct number stampings (2003) corresponding to the chassis number can be found on the hood latch, trunk latch and door hinges, a telltale sign that this Cobra retains a high degree of originality. CSX2003’s remarkable completeness also extends to its original factory soft top, tonneau cover and side curtains, which remain with the car.
(Introductory description courtesy of Broad Arrow Auctions.)
