The One That Got Away!

A True Story......Happened upon a 427 Cobra 8 years ago at a United States Customs auction, held in Los Angeles area.I had just sold my cobra replica to a buddy the night before and was checking automotive classifieds that evening when I noticed the auction listing a cobra.It was only a couple miles from where I was staying so we headed over in my buddie's "New car!"Upon arrival we noticed the tailend of a Cobra sitting inside the opened rollup doors of the wharehouse.The car was light blue with white stripes.It had been sideswiped on the passenger side but not too extreme.Strange thing was that there were no plates and no paperwork to go with the car.I only had a couple of hours left to view and inspect the vehicle.The vin number on the frame near the radiator read CSX 30601.There was a sunfaded square on the dash where the signed Carrol Shelby plate would be located.Everything about the car looked authentic except the aluminum work in the trunk looked newer than 60's.So I left the viewing and called Shelby Motors.Can't recall who I spoke with but the guy basically said to stay way from buying the car as it had one too many vin numbers.However,he did say that the 3060 numbers matched a continuation car built in the 90's;hence the newer looking aluminum work in the trunk, by Shelby for Ted Yamaguchi in Japan;which he also stated sold for $500,000.00!Plus he said the Ted Yamaguchi car was blue with white stripes.He had also heard the car had been wrecked!I told him I felt the car at the customs auction was in fact, the Yamaguchi car,as customs agents did tell me they thought the car had originated in Japan!Well,the guy at Shelby motors said even if it was the same car it was basically worthless with the added vin number.He also told me of another vin located underneath the carpet of the upper foot kick panel.However,I could no longer physically inspect the car as the viewing had finished!So it was a gamble to bid.I truly believed this was the real deal!My theory is that Ted Yamaguchi wanted the car fixed by professionals in the states but didn't want to pay US tariffs on what could've been considered a $1,000,000.00 car by then.So they stamped a 1 at the end;easiest number to matchup,and then had phony paperwork probably listing the car as a replica.Well,their plan must've got foiled by a customs agent that knew his cars!Consequently,the car was seized.Now,it's also possible Mr. Yamaguchi wasn't so stupid afterall and planned for the seizure as worst case scenario and would follow the car to auction and bid to get it back.Still saving alot of dough compared to the importation fees!All the while still holding the true paperwork and signed Shelby dash plate.Once he had it back,fill and grind that extra number 1, then alittle help at the DMV and woolah....registered CSX 3060 Cobra back in the USA!Well,I only had $36,000.00 to bid at the auction.The car sold for $38,000;to a man of Asian descent.I truly feel this was "The One That Got Away!Well,I recently became aware of the 3060 car being sold at Barret Jackson in 2003.Apparently,the car was solid blue but had been refurbished at a shop in Oklahoma, prior.It sold at for $150,000.00!!!Yes,those words from the guy at Shelby Motors are forever imbedded in my memory......."Even if it is the same car it is worthless." Ya right!Then I noticed in this forum the 3060 car was on e-bay motors in July of 2005.Wonder what that worthless car went for then?Anyone know?Damn.

 

Doesn't burst my bubble one bit!Actually,since the car sold for $500,000.00 directly from Shelby motors in 1992,United States Customs definately would've valued the car for alot more 7 years later.Your $150,000.00 to $200,000.00 would not have come close for US customs import value if the original paperwork had been presented to Customs to bring the car back into the country.I believe this is the reason the vin had the extra number1 and I believe they had paperwork showing the car to be a replica with those vin numbers.Of course you know what a replica value would have been compared to the real value.Let's say import is 30%.Quite a difference even if you can afford a half million dollar car in the first place!That's alot of extra play money!
Best Regards