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Needs Paint: Dodge Shadow Shelby CSX

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Putting the name “Shelby” next to almost any car is a sure-fire way to up its collectability. Although some are worth more than others, cars like this 1987 Dodge Shadow Shelby CSX here on eBay is a worthy candidate for bringing back to life, but whether it should receive a full paint job is up to your level of tolerance for patina. This example is located in North Carolina with a $1,500 opening bid and an unmet reserve price. 

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One of my favorite features of the Shelby cars is the interior. Typically, some special touches are added to set the vehicle apart from its more plebeian siblings. In this case, unique upholstery, a sport steering wheel and badging on the dash are some of the clues drivers got that they were in a much hotter version of Mopar’s econobox entry.

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The turbocharged and intercooled 2.2L four-cylinder churned out an impressive 175 b.h.p. in first-year models, paired with identical torque numbers. The suspension was also upgraded and rear disc brakes were swapped in. Only 750 CSX’s were sold in 1987, so this weather-beaten example is a rare find of a first-year car.

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This Shelby variant is said to be in decent shape overall, but the seller discloses that it could use new A/C components and a replacement clutch. The seller has added new front brakes and will include replacement parts for the HVAC and transmission repairs. While the cosmetics aren’t pretty, I’d happily live with well-aged paint in exchange for a smooth running and spooling genuine Shelby-branded product.

Comments

  1. Avatar Bob Hess

    My wife bought an ’86 Shelby Daytona with a similar engine in it new. With the 5 speed transmission and upgraded suspension the car was impressive… and a blast to drive. Got to the grocery store in minimum time. Car was screwed together very well with no mechanical oddities at all.

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  2. Avatar HeadMaster1

    I used to own an 88 CSX-T (#972 of 1,000), same car minus the intercooler. The 88’s were all White and were never sold new to the public, they all went to Thrifty Car Rental, hence the “T” after CSX, just like Shelby did with the GT350H Hertz cars 2 decades previously……..Fun cars, quick for their day, horrible shifter feel, great brakes and good handling though

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  3. Avatar Wayne Thomas

    Transmission repairs? Might as well just make this car RWD like it should have been from the factory. A guy already did this with a Plymouth Sundance:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RI89gTRLd9Y

    Like 0
  4. Avatar stiffler4444

    If I’m not mistaken, 0-60 in one of these was well south of 5 seconds.

    Like 0

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