There’s a little thing called “moments” in the collector car world, and it essentially signifies when a particular make or model is enjoying renewed interest or popularity. The question becomes whether that moment will transform the car’s projections for years to come, or if it’s a flash in the pan. I noted a day or so ago that I believe 90s-era Range Rovers still have some climbing to do, and there are numerous other examples. The question that comes up with the Shelby-modified Mopars is whether there moment is still coming, or if it’s already passed. Check out this 1987 Shelby CSX listed here on eBay as having been significantly overhauled several years ago and still presenting in near-mint condition.
The seller has listed this CSX with an opening bid of $7,000 and a reserve, and there’s no action yet. I can still recall back in the late 90s and early 2000s, the enthusiast world was awakened to the fact that numerous special Dodge models were made either with the full endorsement of Carroll Shelby, or simply with turbocharged powerplants dropped into unsuspecting bodies, such as the Dodge Caravan. It seemed many of us had forgotten these cars existed, and there was suddenly renewed interest in these curious hot hatches, sedans, and wagons. The Omni GLHS was already well-loved, but it seemed like many of us were learning about the car’s potential for the first time. At this point, I began to notice that some people were taking the movement seriously, and completely restoring these econobox sports cars.
In the case of this CSX, the seller notes that he disassembled the car and had the entire body resprayed and various interior trim pieces refinished. The seats were re-done with OEM materials, and he even found a set of NOS shock absorbers sitting in a dusty box and had those installed at the same time. The suspension functions as-new, he notes, and with under 50,000 miles on the engine and no modifications, the turbocharged drivetrain presumably has no issues. This is a turnkey car, he notes, and although he doesn’t drive it very much, he’d trust the “Carroll Shelby eXperimental” to go across the country tomorrow without issue.
When Shelby got his hands on the humble Shadow, he effectively transformed the car. The 2.2L turbocharged 4-cylinder kicked out an impressive 175 horsepower; the rear drums were upgraded to discs; the suspension was firmed up all around with upgraded shocks and springs; and of course, Shelby added wheels of his own design. Despite all of these improvements, the Shelby-modified Mopars have seemed to remain somewhat unloved after the quick burst of interest a decade or so ago. Many have low miles and remain “in the wrapper” like this one, and I suspect we won’t see prices move much in the coming years. What are your thoughts – should these limited-production Mopars be worth more than they are?
I can feel the turbo lag from here, but when it hit, man, what a ride!
Turbo lag!
Every turbo car made during this time period experienced lag. Once you got used to it and learned how to control it, it was not an issue.
Cool front end. Love the little Turbo Mopars. Sweet CSX Lavery.👍🏁
Owned both the white 1988 Shelby CSX-T and the red 1989 Shelby CXS-VNT and always wanted to complete the set with the black 1987 Shelby CXS, but never did. Of course, both the ’88 and ’89s are now gone. Very fun little cars, though they never got any respect from the Ford crowd. Never understood why none of these Shelby CSX’s came with cruise control. I guess they were only intended for the “strip” and not highway cruising.
Neon SRT-4’s didn’t offer cruise control, either. Must have been an organizational decision?
Carroll didn’t believe in cruise control, he thought the driver should be providing the input.
Turbo cars of this era were meant to be daily economy cars with a dark side. Drive them around all day at 27 mpg, with a bit of v8 passing power, OR learn how to keep them on the boil at 3000+ rpms and have yourself a thoroughly enjoyable sport coupe. Europeans understood this but Americans were still learning this in the 80’s and beyond.
I never had a CSX, but I had a regular 2.2 Turbo Shadow (4 door even), and that thing was very quick. One of the most fun cars I’ve ever had. OK, that’s a pretty long list, but it was fun.
Having had several 80’s turbo Mopars and really enjoying them, have to say these Shelby CSX’s were quick fun little cars. Rather underappreciated and certainly not collected like some other 80’s era vehicles, but the owner took a lot of time and care to bring this car back and it shows.
I feel bad for the seller (and second owner) in that he did all of this work on the car and drove it for only 1K miles. Never got a chance to really enjoy the potential that this gem offers.
No need to feel bad for me – I daily drove the first 1987 csx that I had from 1999 to 2005. I put nearly 100k miles on that car and sold it shortly after I got this one.
Plus, for the past 20 years I have had a dozen other fwd turbo mopars in my collection that I jump in and drive a few times a year just like I do with this car.
So I had plenty of seat time in these!
It would be a head turner at any show with few people probably actually knowing what it is. I have no clue what it is worth but if it ends up around $10K I would think it’s a pretty fair buy. I would bet the A/C is going to have more problems than a simple recharge though??
Ended at $8,600.
Reserve Not Met
11 bids.