When you take in all of the various features of the cars Carroll Shelby modified for Chrysler in the 1980s, it really does make you yearn for yesteryear. After all, will we ever see a gentleman like Shelby allowed back into the boardrooms of Detroit, given permission to take every econobox in a company’s lineup, and equip those cars with all sorts of go-fast add-ons? Unlikely to happen ever again, sadly. Cars like this 1987 Shelby CSX listed here on Facebook Marketplace had one goal and that was to create a high-performance, entry-level vehicle that showed you could improve even the most basic car with the right ingredients.
The Shadow was an inoffensive car from the start. The styling is still attractive, especially considering what the modern economy car (does that segment even exist anymore?) looks like. Seeing all that glass and body lines with actual definition reminds me how much your average new vehicle has been anonymized to look like everything else on the road. The Shelby treatment not only included drivetrain upgrades but also extended to the bodywork, with a variety of aerodynamic enhancements, and the wheels and tires, which were equipped with racy Goodyear Gatorback rubber. This CSX is sadly missing its Shelby-specific front bumper.
The 175 horsepower engine was both turbocharged and intercooled, and Shelby’s magic got it to run to 60 in 7.1 seconds and reach a top speed of over 130 miles per hour. There was likely plenty more left in the tank, so to speak, for upgrading the power even further, but Shelby’s work struck a nice balance to keep performance respectable without disintegrating the engine. The seller notes that this CSX was locked up when he got it, but he has since gotten the engine free. However, there is no fuel tank, so he hasn’t done anything else beyond unsticking the engine. The missing bumper and fuel tank makes me wonder if this was a junkyard rescue.
Which, truth be told, would make me want it even more. I love the idea of cars being brought back from the brink of death, especially special or limited-production models like this. What’s more incredible is that parts like this original Shelby steering wheel, and the plate just underneath the instrument cluster with Shelby’s signature and the CSX’s production number, still remain attached to the car. Since you can get a standard Shadow fuel tank to drop in, it won’t be too challenging to get this one set up to run. The CSX is a rarity with under 1,000 made and plenty of enthusiast group support for finding the missing front bumper, so it seems well worth the $1,850 asking price.
Car’s rough but it’s cheap.
These engines have many trouble spots where they go wrong. It just starts with the head gaskets.
I beg to differ. I’ve had multiple 80’s turbo Chryslers with the 2.2. They were all very reliable, good running engines. Most often times it’s just due to people not maintaining them properly.
Automatic? Manuel?
Manuel doesn’t know either.
All 750 of them made in ’87 were manual, in fact, all CSX Lancers ever made are manual.
I was just commenting on this last week, but these 80s small cars are really starting to turn me on! These Shelby cars, the Cavaliers, Dodge Omnis, really looking sweet. Probably because I’m so sick of new cars and really over it with suvs. I wish I wasn’t fighting cancer because this lady in black is very affordable and looks like a nice relatively easy restoration. Id love to give her a home in a nice dry 30×40. Sir, your articles and write ups just keep getting better and more interesting as we go! Just thought I’d tell you that 😉
Feel the same way about the new cars and the suvs fighting cancer also. I really like these cars always liked the 1991-1992 Dodge spirit R/T turbo. That car only came in a four door five speed with 224 HP believe it was the fastest production car at that time. Had a chance years ago to get a white 92 still kick myself for not getting it they only came in red or white believe. Keep up the fight John and take care.
Lakota, I’d love to find an 80s Charger Shelby in blue and silver or find a solid Charger and build one! Those were really cool with the body appearance stuff and that blue and silver was really nice, those dark red ones were nice too! Didn’t those have Ricaro seats?
They can be fun but they DEFINE torque steer big time .
They did not come with Recaro seats but they did come with Shelby specific seats that did look a lot like Recaro seats.
I bought one of these new (#611), and held onto it for 28 years. My dad did a mid-life career change, to selling cars. It was the first new car I ever bought, and the first one he sold.
Crude, unrefined, cheap fun… That’s what these were… We could use some of this today.
Add says engine was locked up but now it’s free but they haven’t tried to start it, no fuel tank and odometer reads 104++++. I think this is one of those cars where Dodge messed up just like Ford and Chevrolet have building smaller performance cars they should have designed them different so on the road you could tell the difference between this and just a run of the mill pizza delivery car. I personally wouldn’t tackle this project good luck to the seller
I had a 87′ Daytona Shelbyz with this Tll engine and it could really get up and go. These were quick little cars and pretty rare considering it’s a factory Shelby version. Not a bad little project for an 80’s turbo Mopar lover to play with in their spare time. Totally agree with the new vehicle comment. It’s just a sea of aesthetically muted cookie cutter blobs out there now basically.
This will made for a great project with the end result being a very rare, very fun to drive car.
Not very desirable, but that’s what is keeping the cost down.
So many people fighting cancer but let’s not talk about the elephant in the room , let’s stay focused on cars …