1999 | Shelby Series 1 Prototype

PHOTOS

Technical Information

Lot Number:302

Year:1999

Make:Shelby

Model:Series 1 Prototype

Mileage:12309

Drivetrain:RWD

VIN:0000000000CSX50X2

Transmission:Manual

Engine:T10L20403009

Body Style:Convertible

Location:Clovis California 93619

Title Status:Clean

Seller:ehagopian

Seller Type:Private Party

Exterior Color:Silver

Interior Color:Black

Seller's Introduction

My name is Eric Hagopian and my wife is Nancy. We happen to have in our possession the CSX50X2 Shelby Series 1 prototype which belonged to Nancy's late husband, Donald J. Rager, who was President and Chief Operating Officer for Carroll Shelby’s Company from 1994 thru 2000. The Shelby Series 1 is a high performance “Street Legal Muscle Car” designed by the late Carroll Shelby and was produced in 1999 by “Shelby American, Inc.” a Las Vegas based company. The Series 1 is the only car ever produced by Carroll Shelby from a clean sheet of paper and built from the ground up. Only a total of 249 production Series 1 sports cars were produced and sold by Shelby American, Inc, all as 1999 models and were designated with a CSX5000 series serial number. And we do have the “Statement of Origin” - “CSX50X2 Prototype Shelby Series 1 Vehicle” original document that’s signed by Carroll Shelby.

Overview

After decades of success across the automotive field, Carroll Shelby decided to embark on a task which he had not to this point ever undertaken: design and produce a car from the ground up. Through years of hard work, regulatory roadblocks, and engineering challenges, the Shelby Series 1 was born. American muscle through and through, the car made use of Oldsmobile's 4.0L L47 Aurora V8 and produced 320 horsepower. The body however was purely Shelby, its sweeping lines an homage to the iconic racers of the past, while its advanced suspension and innovative honeycomb chassis structure confirmed a forward looking vision. With only 249 production units delivered the car is scarce by any measure, but this example takes things one step further.

This car, serial number CSX50X2, is the second prototype constructed by Shelby American, and is the only remaining Series 1 prototype in existence. Serial number 50X1, as the story goes, was destroyed early in the development program during crash testing. With development complete by late 1998, the question of what to do with the prototype arose. After some deliberation, Carroll Shelby gifted the car to long time friend and then President and COO of Shelby American Donald J. Rager as a bonus for his outstanding contributions to the Series 1 program. The car has since remained in the late Rager's family, never having been road registered and still retaining its original Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin, signed by Carroll Shelby himself.

The car is finished in silver, and as a prototype, lacks the characteristic racing stripes found on the production units. The bolstered bucket seats are trimmed in black leather with gray inserts and feature the car's namesake embroidered on their backs. This distinctive prototype features similar amenities to those found in the production vehicle, including a Monsoon CD/cassette stereo and a multi-speaker sound system, however, the seller notes the side windows are plastic. The car has been well cared for and gently used, with just over 12,000 miles now showing on the odometer.

Included in the sale are three limited edition Shelby American jackets, the original Manufacturer's Statement of Origin signed by Carroll Shelby, a copy of the 1998 Bonus Compensation Agreement awarding the car to Donald Rager signed by both Rager and Shelby, photos of Rager and Shelby with the car, and historic magazine articles about the model.

Read more about the car here: A Shelby Series 1 Story of Love, Dedication & Drive

Features & Options

One-of-one prototype for the Shelby Series 1
Never road registered
Documents and provenance signed by Carroll Shelby

Ownership Documents

Original Manufacturer's Statement of Origin signed by Carroll Shelby
1998 Bonus Compensation Agreement awarding the car to Donald Rager signed by both Rager and Shelby

Ownership History & Provenance

The prototype vehicle has remained owned by one family since 1998 and has never been road registered.

Known Shortcomings

This vehicle shows wear consistent with its low mileage according to a Seller's Disclosure provided by the seller. Please review the entire document by clicking "Seller's Disclosure" above.

According to the seller the side windows are plastic

Items included in the Sale

Three limited edition Shelby American jackets
Shelby Patch
Historic photos and magazine articles
Factory literature (i.e. an owner's manual)
Spare windshield wiper blades

1999 | Shelby Series 1 Prototype