The World Registry of Cobras lists chassis number CSX 2511, the 511th Cobra built, with a black body and interior, and delivered from Shelby American to Jack Meffert Ford in Springfield, Ohio. It was equipped with chrome wire wheels, a hard top, and two four-barrel carburetors.
During a test drive, CSX 2511 was involved in a serious accident, and the vehicle was totaled. With just 45 miles on the odometer, it was sold as scrap to the owner of a towing business, who purchased it as a parts car for his drag-racing Cobra. The wreck was parked in a lot, where it sat for 45 years. Little-by-little, the towing company operator dismantled the crashed Cobra, and stored the pieces in an old box truck body.
He intended to eventually rebuild the wreck, though, and ordered new front fenders and rear quarter panels from Shelby. He hung the new fenders on the garage wall, where they still hang today, nearly 50 years later.
Eventually, as the car became more valuable, it was moved into a storage unit, but not before significant deterioration had occurred. The top and tool kit in the trunk, which should have been perfect, had deteriorated to dust.
“When we decided to move the car inside, I had to cut a tree down that had grown up through the engine compartment,” says Mitch, son of the towing company operator.
Today, the car sits as a sad time capsule—a totally doused, demolished Cobra, with only 45 miles on the odometer.
This Cobra, CSX 2511, was wrecked during a dealership test drive. One of the occupants was killed and the car was junked with just 45 miles on the odometer. JIM MAXWELL
Much of the last 45 years, CSX 2511 sat outside, deteriorating badly. The owners finally parked the car inside a truck body. JIM MAXWELL