Carroll Shelby is a legend, however not every thing he constructed was legendary. Living proof: the Sequence 1 roadster he designed and engineered within the ’90s. The automotive’s journey to manufacturing was riddled with problems and setbacks, with Shelby American ultimately churning out simply 249 copies. Certainly one of them is at the moment up for public sale on Carry a Trailer, which—like Automotive and Driver—is a part of Hearst Autos.
Cobra Connection
Simply because the 1999 Shelby Sequence 1, pictured right here in Centennial Silver with Garnet Pink metallic stripes, did not fairly reside as much as the bold targets set by its iconic creator does not imply it is nonetheless not cool as hell. Simply have a look at the factor. Its resemblance to the unique Shelby Cobras is simple, and that curvy bodywork is alleged to be extraordinarily light-weight, because it’s made from carbon fiber and fiberglass. The Sequence 1 had a claimed curb weight of 2650 kilos.
The Playskool-like inside is not so engaging. Actually, it is fairly embarrassing for a automotive that when value about the identical as a Ferrari 360 Spider when each had been new. Shut inspection reveals components from a fourth-generation Pontiac Firebird; one want look no additional than the retrofitted gauge cluster, HVAC controls, and door handles to identify the connection.
Nonetheless, nobody who purchased a Sequence 1 probably anticipated a luxurious inside—or apparently one which had any cupholders or space for storing in anyway. The roadster was additionally notoriously unfriendly to driver’s over six toes tall, as the usual seating positions put the highest of the windshield instantly of their line of sight.
Powered by Oldsmobile
It is type of humorous to suppose a automotive as costly and performance-focused because the Shelby Sequence 1 would share an engine with a front-wheel-drive Oldsmobile Aurora, however that is precisely the place its DOHC 4.0-liter V-8 was sourced from.
With out the optionally available Vortech supercharger, which is alleged to have been a virtually $20K add-on, the usual engine within the Sequence 1 produced 320 horsepower and 290 pound-feet of torque. Sending that energy to the rear wheels is a six-speed guide transaxle, and the eight-cylinder soundtrack was delivered via a Borla exhaust system with a set of distinguished tailpipes poking out the again.
Again in 2000, Automotive and Driver icon Brock Yates reviewed a 1999 Shelby Sequence 1 that appears equivalent to the instance at the moment up for public sale. Regardless of mechanical snafus throughout two separate exams, the supercharged roadster shot to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds and cleared the quarter-mile in 13.0 seconds at 112 mph. Its Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tires, dimension 265/40R18 up entrance and 315/R18 out again, helped it put up 0.92 g of grip on the skidpad. Each Sequence 1 additionally had race-car-derived pushrod suspension.
But its spectacular efficiency and complex chassis weren’t sufficient to offset its different shortcomings, with Yates summarizing the automotive like this: “The Shelby Sequence 1 is basically an outstanding idea however stays a piece in progress. When all of the bugs are labored out, we’re eagerly awaiting one other name from the person whose identify is on this fascinating however nonetheless unproved sports activities automotive.”
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Senior Editor
Eric Stafford’s vehicle dependancy started earlier than he might stroll, and it has fueled his ardour to jot down information, opinions, and extra for Automotive and Driver since 2016. His aspiration rising up was to develop into a millionaire with a Jay Leno–like automotive assortment. Apparently, getting wealthy is more durable than social-media influencers make it appear, so he averted monetary success completely to develop into an automotive journalist and drive new vehicles for a residing. After incomes a level at Central Michigan College and dealing at a every day newspaper, the years of principally burning cash on failed venture vehicles and lemon-flavored jalopies lastly paid off when Automotive and Driver employed him. His storage at the moment features a 2010 Acura RDX, a guide ’97 Chevy Camaro Z/28, and a ’90 Honda CRX Si.
