Cobra number 31
An interesting point is that although these cars were produced to homologate new parts for the Falcon Hardtop race cars, none of them was ever converted into a race car.
ll Cobras attracted arti cially high ‘black market’ prices initially, when demand outstripped supply. These prices quickly settled down to more sensible levels, but over the years as their signi cance and extreme rarity came to be recognised and appreciated, the Option 97 Bathurst cars in particular have steadily increased in value.
Built in September 1978, Cobra 31 is of special interest for not only its rarity as one of the 30 Option 97 cars but also as it is the last of them. An interesting point is that although these cars were produced to homologate new parts for the Falcon Hardtop race cars, none of them was ever converted into a race car.
In fact, most of the 30 Bathurst cars have been stored since new, with only delivery mileage on their odometers. A few have spent a bit of time on the road and logged low mileages, while Cobra 31’s various owners have recorded about 57,000km over the years.
As a result this car is an original, unrestored example with some road history behind it, something which in itself is of interest and separates it from most of the other cars.
The car has been well looked after – ‘largely unmolested’ is one description applied to it – and is in excellent condition with its mostly original paint, original engine bay and boot and original interior. Everything works as it should, all the documentation and numbers match and it does not require any restoration work.
As an investment, the car is pretty much a sure thing. The upwards trend in Bathurst Cobra values is already happening with sales of three cars reaching between $400,000 and $462,000 about three years ago. Cobra 31’s sale price of $600,000 represents 30 percent increase since then.