1967 Shelby America King Cobra

The 1967 Shelby American T-10 King Cobra (chassis T10-003) is an extremely rare Group 7 prototype race car, designed by Len Terry and built as the final works racer for Shelby American under Ford’s backing. It was the third (and last) of a three-car Can-Am team entered in 1967, powered by a prototype aluminum-block 351ci Ford V8 producing approximately 375 hp, weighing around 1,550 lbs., and incorporating components from Dan Gurney’s All-American Racers (AAR). Unlike the earlier Cooper-Monaco King Cobras from 1963–64 (which were USRRC-focused and have sold at auction for £427,631 to £997,466, equivalent to roughly $550,000–$1.3 million USD), the T-10 series was a forward-thinking monocoque design with innovative crossover suspension but saw limited success due to mechanical issues and Ford’s withdrawal from racing at season’s end. T10-003 retains its original rotating assembly (engine internals) to factory specs, making it a unique survivor and the only complete T-10 example known to exist in original configuration.

This car is not currently for sale and has no recorded public auction history, as it has been preserved privately rather than traded on the open market. As of 2025, it is on permanent display at the Segerstrom Shelby Event Center and Museum in Irvine, California, where it represents the symbolic “end of an era” for Shelby’s factory racing efforts. Given its unmatched rarity (one-of-one status among T-10s), historical significance, and pristine originality, its estimated market value exceeds $2 million USD if it were to come to auction—well above the $1.3 million high for comparable (but less advanced) King Cobra variants, and in line with ultra-rare Shelby prototypes like the Super Snake (which fetched $5.5 million in 2021).

The 1967 Shelby American T-10 King Cobra (chassis T10-003) has a somewhat opaque ownership history due to its private nature and lack of public auction records—unlike its sibling T10-002, which sold for $350,000 in 2010. No verified public sales data exists for T10-003, and it appears to have changed hands privately without documented prices or exact dates. Based on available historical accounts, here’s a summary of known details:

Ownership History

1967 (Factory Ownership): Built by Shelby American in Santa Ana, California, as the third and final T-10 prototype for the Can-Am series. It was raced by works drivers (including Dan Gurney in testing) before Ford’s withdrawal from racing ended factory support.

Post-1967 (Private Ownership): After the season, the car was part of the remnants of Shelby’s Can-Am program sold off in 1968 via a documented invoice for the team’s assets. It circulated among private U.S. owners, with occasional track use in regional events and SCCA races through the 1970s–1990s, though specific names from this era remain unconfirmed in public records.

Pre-2010s: Duane Carling (Utah): Long-term ownership by collector Duane Carling, who stored it in Utah. The car was in unrestored condition during this period.

Circa 2018–Present: Steve Johns: Discovered and acquired by Steve Johns (a Southern California-based collector and Shelby enthusiast). Johns spearheaded a comprehensive restoration starting around 2018, verifying authenticity with Shelby alumni like Phil Remington, Jim O’Leary, and John Collins. The project involved specialists such as engine builder Rob Kazan (for the original XE351 rotating assembly), bodywork by Kris Kopp, and paint by Nick Clemence. As of 2025, it remains in Johns’ collection but is on long-term display at the Segerstrom Shelby Event Center and Museum in Irvine, California (possibly on loan, as the Segerstrom family—major Shelby collectors—hosts it as a centerpiece).

Sales History

No public auctions or sales records exist. Private transactions likely occurred in the late 1960s (post-factory dispersal) and around 2018 (to Johns), but prices are not disclosed. Its estimated value remains over $2 million based on rarity and condition, per specialist appraisals.

Exhibitions and Shows

T10-003 has appeared at select high-profile events since restoration, emphasizing its historical significance as Shelby’s final factory racer:

2018: Debut post-prep at the Shelby American Automobile Club’s 43rd annual convention (Sonoma Raceway); scheduled for demonstration laps at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion (Laguna Seca) but not raced to preserve the engine.

2022: Shelby American 60th anniversary display at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering (Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance weekend).

2023: Goodwood Revival (UK), as part of Shelby’s centennial tribute—flown internationally for static display.

2024: Arizona Concours d’Elegance (January); Shelby American event at the Segerstrom Museum (September).

2025 (Ongoing): Permanent exhibit at the Segerstrom Shelby Event Center and Museum (Irvine, CA), where it’s showcased alongside other rare prototypes as the “end of an era” for Shelby’s racing program.