Today marks the start of one of the highlights of the RM auction calendar.
To coincide with the famous Pebble Beach "Concours d'Elegance", RM will be hosting a sale of Sports and Classic Cars in Monterey, US.
Now in its 25th year, the three day event kicks off this evening with a sale of classic Ford automobiles and is set to attract collectors and investors from around the world.
And Friday's auction could prove to be the biggest draw for many, with the day's sale boasting not one, but two classic Shelby Cobras.
These Anglo American car classics first emerged in the 1960s, as challengers to the established sports car manufacturers of the time.
And their reliability and high performance have made these classic cars a must have for collectors across the globe. Friday represents a unique opportunity to bid for two of these automotive gems.
The first, a 1967 Shelby 427 Cobra rolls onto the auction block this Friday with a pre auction estimated price of £450,000 - 550,000 ($750,000 - 850,000).
 The 1967 Shelby 427 Cobra |
The car features an impressive 427 cubic inch Ford side-oiler V8 engine with a single four barrel carburettor and four speed manual transmission that can reach over 450 horse power.
This engine contributed to a truly unique classic car with astounding road performance that was attributed to the impressive power to weight ratio that meant the car could go from 0 to 100 in just 13.2 seconds.
This well conditioned and low mileage black Shelby Cobra '67 has been cosmetically restored with the handling now effectively upgraded for an even better drive.
Previous 1967 Shelby 427 Cobras have impressed at auction. Famously, RM's 2010 Automobiles of Arizona sale in Phoenix, US, saw the sale of Carroll Shelby's prized historic classic car.
The 1967 Shelby 427 Cobra, which came from the renowned Otis Chandler collection, was the second highest sale of the lot.
And with Friday's 1967 edition having previously sold at RM's Automobiles of Amelia Island for $766,800, it could well exceed expectations at the sale.
However, the 1964 CSX 2557 Shelby Cobra Roadster may go one better at Friday's auction.
Featuring a 289 cubic inch pushrod overhead valve V8 engine and a four speed manual transmission that can reach over 300 horse power, the car is one of only six United States road racing editions built.
 The 1964 CSX 2557 Shelby Cobra Roadster |
This unblemished car classic is a true rarity. Restored to the original Shelby team appearance of Guardsman Blue with white Le Mans stripes, it is the product of fifty years careful preservation.
The culmination of three years of intensive development in the 1960s, today the car is as easy to drive making it a joy to collectors and enthusiasts alike.
More importantly, it's proven equally remarkable at auction, with a standard edition selling in February 2010 for £304,000 ($478,500).
Friday's racing edition of the Shelby Cobra Roadster was the pinnacle of a golden age for the manufacturers and a must have for any fans or collectors of these truly classic cars.
Fast and highly evolved, this car classic is rolling on to the block with a pre auction estimate of £760,000 - 950,000 ($1,200,000 to $1,500,000) attached.
With the sale set to go on until Saturday, it could be a very good week for classic car collectors across the globe.
- Learn how you can get pleasure and profit from investing in the classic cars markets
- Click here for all the latest Classic Cars news
Join our readers in 189 countries around the world - sign up for your free weekly Collectibles Newsletter today
