The "first ever" of anything typically has a high value, and that couldn't be more accurate when it involves the late Carroll Shelby's first Cobra. We previously reported that Shelby Cobra chassis number CSX2000 was heading to this year's Monterey auction and it was expected to bring in a high price. It didn't disappoint. The final bid came in at $13.75 million. More accurately, the actual final bid was actually $12.5 million. Don't forget the auction fees. That ultimate sum makes this the most expensive American car ever sold at auction.

The previous record holder, not at all surprisingly, was a 1968 Ford GT40. CSX2000 is not only special because it was the first, but also because Shelby and crew used the little roadster as a test bed of sorts. For example, they needed to figure out how to stuff that 4.2-liter small-block V8 into the AC Ace donor car. Once that issue was resolved, the team used the car to help develop what later became the Shelby Cobra 260. What's also interesting here is that CSX2000 has been painted numerous colors during its long life, most recently having been painted blue, obviously. It's also never been restored and probably never should be.