Shelby Cobra review

This is not a rational purchase, so owning advice is largely useless. Here’s something useful though. The 427’s fuel gauge can only have come from an old British sports car, because when it tells you you have quarter of a tank left, what it actually means is ‘the misfire will begin in ten seconds’. I ran out of fuel. I had assumed that even with a 7.0-litre engine doing the sucking, a 64-litre fuel tank would last more than 150 miles. It didn’t. I reckon that’s about 10.7mpg.

Because of the legality surrounding small run production in the US, you actually buy the chassis and engine separately. Over there, the chassis costs $53,900 (£41,900), the 427 engine $17,500 (£13,600), the five-speed Tremec ‘box $2,495 (£1,940) and installation $8,500 (£6,600). This 427 lists with options at a whisker over $100,000 (£84,000).

The preferable alternative for British buyers is to purchase a CSX 10000 in the UK with proper dealer back up. That’s now possible via Clive Sutton, although you will pay for the privilege to the tune of £195,000.