Shelby Daytona Cobra shatters US auction record after selling for a staggering $42.9M
Published on Oct 30, 2026 at 8:31 AM (UTC-4)
by Ben Thompson
Last updated on Oct 30, 2026 at 8:31 AM (UTC-4)
Edited by
Alessandro Renesis
This Shelby Daytona Cobra sold for an astonishing $42.9 million at auction, shattering US auction records.
To be specific, this was a 1964 Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe CSX2300 up for grabs.
As the third of six Daytona coupes, this was once owned by Carroll Shelby, the late automotive designer and racer.
A famous owner and an undeniable race history guaranteed this Cobra was going to sell for some big bucks – but this was still a surprise.
We’ve seen some eye-watering sales at auctions before
It’s no secret to say that some cars have sold for an absolute mint when put up for auction.
But even by the standards of high-end auctions, some of these cars have raked in amounts that take your breath away.
One rare 2005 Porsche Carrera GT pulled in nearly $5 million when it was put up on eBay.
Then there was Michael Jordan’s custom Ferrari 550 Maranello, which made a mint after 24 years out of the spotlight.
And how could we possibly forget the one-off Cadillac which sold for nearly $500,000, 70 years on from being saved from destruction?
But prepare to have all of those figures blown out of the water.
Because one Shelby Daytona Cobra has completely mopped the floor with them.
What set this Shelby Daytona Cobra apart?
The CSX2300 went up for auction at Gooding Christie’s with pre-sale guidance of ‘more than $25 million’.
That’s already starting things off at a high point.
What was it about this car that made it so special?
For a start, it’s got the race history credentials to make it stand out, having competed at the Daytona Continental, Sebring, the Nürburgring, the Tour de France and Reims.
It’s a well traveled car, and the only Daytona owned by Carroll Shelby himself.
Designer Peter Brock had a goal in mind when he drew up the plans for it – he wanted something that would beat the Ferrari 250 GTO out on the tracks.
The sale of this Shelby Daytona Cobra smashed all auction records
Once bidding began, things escalated quickly, jumping to $39 million and culminating at $42,905,000.
This was way more than the previous record holder for an American-car up at auction.
That would be a 1935 Duesenberg SSJ which sold for $22 million at Pebble Beach back in 2018.
It’s worth stressing that this is a US record.
The most expensive car ever sold at auction went for a jaw-dropping $142 million, and that was the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe.
Coming in second place globally was a 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196 that was bought for $53,917,370 in February 2025.
Ben joined Supercar Blondie in February 2025 after being published by international organizations including LADbible, The Sun, the New York Post, and the Daily Mail. He covers supercars, rare and collectible vehicles, aviation, luxury assets, and the fascinating people behind them. His reporting has explored everything from seven-figure supercars and historic Ferrari collections to unusual aircraft adventures and extraordinary automotive discoveries from around the world. Ben has also gained first-hand insight into vehicle craftsmanship and customization, including visiting specialist workshops to see bespoke vehicles up close.
