BLENHEIM.- American racing legends are set to roar across the podium at RM Sotheby’s Arizona sale, January 28-29 in Phoenix. Leading an incredibly diverse list of recent entries for the company’s 17th annual Arizona Biltmore auction is a 1965 Shelby 427 Competition Cobra, chassis no. CSX 3010.

One of just 23 examples produced, CSX 3010 was delivered new to Don Russell Jr. of South Carolina, equipped with a less aggressive exhaust for street use, a shoulder harness, and road lights. Russell soon determined the 620bhp Cobra was too wild for the road, and sold the car. Remaining in the Northeast, CSX 3010 landed with Peter Consiglio of Massachusetts, who raced the Cobra in regional SCCA events in 1967 with mild success, before stepping up to SCCA National competition in 1968. Prepared for the track with black paint and gold leaf stripes, Consiglio proved a worthy competitor behind the wheel, landing on the podium for all but three of the 11 SCCA races that season to ultimately claim the 1968 A Production championship.

Following his highly successful rookie season, Consiglio sold the 427 Cobra to John Risley of Nova Scotia, who enjoyed similar success, racing the car in the Canadian Endurance Championship Series with co-driver David Fram. The duo finished first overall in the Eastern Canadian Endurance Championship in 1971, making CSX 3010 the only 427 Cobra to win championships in two countries.

The Cobra found a home with its current custodian in 1978 and, with a return to the track in mind, he commissioned a full restoration, showing the car at the 1982 Palo Alto Concours d’Elegance upon completion. After extensive vintage racing participation, he eventually parted with the car in 1986, only to be reunited with CSX 3010 in 2007. A true dual-purpose car, CSX 3010 has completed no less than seven long-distance tours in recent years, as well as competed at the Monterey Historics on multiple occasions. Ready for continued enjoyment on the road or track, it is offered in Arizona with its original front clip, street and race equipment, and extensive documentation (Est. $2,500,000 - $3,300,000).

“We’re excited to present the 427 Competition Cobra within one of the most diverse lineups we’ve had the pleasure of offering in Arizona,” says Gord Duff, car specialist, RM Sotheby’s. “With period competition success, long-term ownership, and extensive vintage event participation, it’s these true enthusiast examples that keep the hobby alive, and breed interest for the next generation of collectors.”

The 427 is offered alongside a 1963 Shelby 289 Cobra 'Dragonsnake', chassis no. CSX 2093. Converted to ‘Dragonsnake’ specifications in 1965, CSX 2093 found massive success throughout its drag-racing career, setting numerous records, and securing national titles in four separate classes. The Cobra is presented exactly as it competed, including a Weber-carbureted 289 Ford V8 with Bellanger side mount header, four-speed transmission, Cobra Sunburst rear wheels with slicks, wire front wheels, removable hard top and eye-grabbing magenta metal-flake paint (Est. $1,400,000 - $1,650,000).

Rounding out a trio of iconic Shelbys set for the Phoenix sale is a 1964 Shelby 289 Cobra, chassis no. CSX 2561. Offered in January with a beautifully maintained restoration, under current ownership the Cobra has been freshly resprayed in its original White and has seen recent mechanical servicing to ensure exciting, carefree touring, including the installation of a correct, four-speed manual transmission. A turn-key Cobra ready for more trouble-free rallying or a Sunday drive, CSX 2561 is certainly worthy of consideration by discerning aficionados of post-war American performance (Est. $950,000 - $1,100,000).

Additional highlights for RM’s Arizona sale include a varied selection of some of the most sought-after automobiles from numerous eras and genres:

· Leading desirable American Classics is a beautifully restored 1933 Packard Twelve Convertible Victoria, chassis no. 901624, offered publicly for the first time. Believed to be one of just four authentic survivors, the Packard is complete with its original chassis, engine, body and firewall plate (Est. $500,000 - $600,000);

· A stunning example of Briggs Cunningham’s Le Mans dream car, a 1952 Cunningham C-3 Coupe, chassis no. 5208. One of 19 coupes built, and the only Vignale-bodied example actively raced in period, 5208 boasts numerous one-off features and an exquisite concours restoration by RM Auto Restoration (Est. $900,000 - $1,100,000);

· Representing iconic touring Ferraris of the 1960s, a freshly restored 1960 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Series II, chassis no. 2153 GT, stunning in its original color combination of Bleu Sera over Pelle Naturale (Est. $1,800,000 - $2,100,000), along with a luxurious 1965 Ferrari 275 GTS, chassis no. 07935, boasting a beautifully preserved restoration, and factory-equipped with extended frame rails for the driver’s seat, providing increased comfort for long distance driving (Est. $1,600,000 - $2,000,000);

· A pair of modern supercars equipped with six-speed manual transmissions—a very desirable specification in today’s market, including a highly appointed 2005 Ferrari 575 Superamerica, chassis no. 144839, the modern, open-top V-12 Ferrari at its best (Est. $650,000 - $750,000); and quite possibly the lowest mileage six-speed 2007 Lamborghini Murciélago LP640-4, chassis no. 2595, finished in the seldom-seen Oro Adonis (Est. $275,000 - $325,000).

These exciting highlights join more than 125 blue-chip collector cars handpicked by RM Sotheby’s specialists for the January 28-29 Arizona sale. Leading up to the auction, the Biltmore will host the Arizona Concours d’Elegance, January 24, of which RM Sotheby’s is a proud sponsor, creating an ideal destination for enthusiasts looking to enjoy a week of classic car camaraderie.