Photo: RM Sotheby's/Courtney Frisk
With some vehicles, even scale models are worth a small fortune. The Shelby Series 1 roadster is one such vehicle, so this life-size model made of clay that could get a non-discerning eye to mistake it for the real thing is a collector’s must-have.
The Shelby Series 1 was developed in the late ‘90s as the modern-day successor of the Cobra, and it’s the only one to have had Carroll Shelby involved throughout both design and construction stages. The full-scale clay model preceded all 249 units of the Series 1 and was created solely for the purpose of studying design on the upcoming machines.
It will soon go under the hammer with RM Sotheby’s, at no reserve, on January 22, 2021.
This being a model, it’s not a functional car, though the listing does note that the wheels do roll. It has no drivetrain, and the doors don’t open, but it comes with a complete interior and bears a very close resemblance to the Series 1 production version. As noted above, to the untrained eye, it could almost pass for the real thing.
However, its merit lies in the way it marks progress in the development of the iconic roadster, as well as in the level of detail involved. The prototype was made entirely by hand and, though not explicitly stated, there’s a hint that it’s a one-off.
“The designers worked on this model to get the styling and proportions just right, and finished production cars look very similar to this design study,” the listing notes. “This is a very rare opportunity to acquire a piece of Shelby history that is a must for any serious Shelby collector and enthusiast.”
No estimate is offered on the prototype, but an actual Shelby Series 1 roadster sells for around $130,000. Then again, auctions can occasionally boost the market value of related merchandise, as it happened with the fiberglass scale model of this Tucker Model 48, which changed hands for $100,000 last month.
It will soon go under the hammer with RM Sotheby’s, at no reserve, on January 22, 2021.
This being a model, it’s not a functional car, though the listing does note that the wheels do roll. It has no drivetrain, and the doors don’t open, but it comes with a complete interior and bears a very close resemblance to the Series 1 production version. As noted above, to the untrained eye, it could almost pass for the real thing.
However, its merit lies in the way it marks progress in the development of the iconic roadster, as well as in the level of detail involved. The prototype was made entirely by hand and, though not explicitly stated, there’s a hint that it’s a one-off.
“The designers worked on this model to get the styling and proportions just right, and finished production cars look very similar to this design study,” the listing notes. “This is a very rare opportunity to acquire a piece of Shelby history that is a must for any serious Shelby collector and enthusiast.”
No estimate is offered on the prototype, but an actual Shelby Series 1 roadster sells for around $130,000. Then again, auctions can occasionally boost the market value of related merchandise, as it happened with the fiberglass scale model of this Tucker Model 48, which changed hands for $100,000 last month.
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