Shelby Cobra 427

Chapter 47: Shelby Cobra 427 (1200 recommendation votes, bonus chapter)

(ps: Thank you everyone for your support. I hope there will be a time this week when I can add another bonus chapter for 1500 recommendation votes. That makes six chapters.)

"Ding, successful sign-in. Reward: [Butterfly Trek Madone]."

"What is that?"

After finishing dinner with his parents, Fan Yu began his daily sign-in.

As long as he signed in before midnight, it wouldn't be invalidated. Fan Yu hadn't rushed his sign-ins for the past two days; he just signed in whenever he had the time.

However, this reward left Fan Yu a bit confused. He had no idea what it was.

"Can you introduce it?"

Knowing it was customary to ask the System, Fan Yu inquired.

[The mount of Lance Armstrong, seven-time winner of the Tour de France.]

[It rode down the Champs-Élysées during the final stage of the 2015 Tour de France.]

[The Butterfly Trek Madone bicycle was auctioned at Sotheby's. Valued at 5 million USD.]

[Current value: 32 million.]

Fan Yu nodded. This Butterfly Trek Madone should have very high collection value. Although it was only 32 million, if he found someone who loved collecting, the price might even go up.

In the corner of Fan Yu's bedroom, an slightly old bicycle had appeared, bearing the words "Butterfly Trek Madone."

After examining the bicycle for a while, Fan Yu lost interest.

He wasn't a collector. But since the System had rewarded it to him, he'd keep it for now. If there was someone worthy of a gift in the future, he could give it to them.

With nothing else of interest, Fan Yu soon fell into a deep sleep.

He didn't wake until the next morning. The electric curtains opened, and the glaring sunlight streamed into the room. From the window, he could clearly see the scenic view along the Huangpu River.

Stretching, Fan Yu got out of bed.

"Sign in."

It seemed like there was nothing to do today, so Fan Yu directly chose to sign in.

"Ding, successful sign-in. Reward: 'Shelby Cobra 427, 1966 model'."

What was this one?

Fan Yu felt that the rewards he'd received these past two days were all things he didn't know.

"Introduce it."

Fan Yu scratched his head and walked out of the bedroom, speaking to the System.

"The Cobra 427 was the car of legendary race car driver Carroll Shelby in the 1950s."

"Legendary driver Shelby won the 24 Hours of Le Mans six times between 1969 and 1982, becoming an immortal legend on the Le Mans circuit."

"The Cobra 427 was his exclusive vehicle."

"The Cobra 427 was produced in 1961 and gained fame in 1966. Carroll Shelby swept the top three positions at the 1966 Le Mans circuit, making the Cobra 427 sports car world-renowned."

"The Shelby sports car has a very retro appearance. It has a sapphire blue body, giving it the feel of a classic Ford. Despite this, it has always been hailed as a violent gentleman."

"Collection value: 30 million."

After reading the information, Fan Yu searched online. The descriptions online stated that the Shelby Cobra 427 had extremely high collection value. To commemorate this violent gentleman, in 2000, a professional team in Detroit spent three years restoring this car. Although the car spanned a century, it was preserved quite well.

Furthermore, some companies, to capitalize on the hype, released a limited edition commemorative version with only fifty units worldwide, which were replicas.

However, the Cobra 427 Fan Yu signed in was Shelby's actual car, the genuine original.

This was interesting. After learning about the Shelby Cobra 427, Fan Yu felt a spark of interest.

He had obtained a legendary car.

After breakfast, Fan Yu sat in his study to research.

The Manchu Han Imperial Feast Cookbook needed to be properly arranged. With the opening of the restaurant at The Bund, Number 22, chefs would definitely need to be hired. At that time, he would also give the Manchu Han Imperial Feast Cookbook to the chef, allowing them to create exquisite dishes for a new-century imperial banquet.

Furthermore, Fan Yu and Su Xi had already planned for the restaurant to serve only the upper class. This meant that without a certain status, one could not dine at the restaurant; it would be a membership-only establishment with several tiers of membership cards.

The higher the membership card tier, the better the dishes one could enjoy. In essence, it was about making people feel superior. What do the wealthy need nowadays? Of course, it's status and prestige.

As long as it represents status and prestige, they will flock to it and desperately strive for it.

For example, when two wealthy individuals sit together, what do they talk about besides business? Naturally, it's about their experiences. If one can impress the other, it brings great face. This mindset is what creates many high-end markets.

Why have foreign luxury brands been able to build vast commercial empires? It's because their brands are symbols of status. The restaurant on the Bund operates on the same principle: creating buzz and elevating status.

However, the selection of chefs must be done with extreme caution. The patent must absolutely not be leaked.

In this society, one should not think of people's hearts as too simple. When his and Su Xi's restaurant becomes successful, countless people will be envious, and underhanded tactics will constantly emerge. The chefs would become targets. If the chef issue cannot be resolved, there might be many troubles.

As Fan Yu was lost in thought, it had unknowingly reached noon.

Ring ring ring!!!

The phone on the table rang. Glancing at the caller ID, he smiled and answered.

"Hey, Xi Xi."

"I'm hungry, let's go get something to eat," Su Xi's voice came through the phone.

Fan Yu nodded, glancing at the Patek Philippe on his wrist. "It's already noon, what do you want to eat?"

"Just barbecue."

"Okay, I'll head downstairs now. Wait for me in the garage."

After hanging up, Fan Yu returned to his bedroom, casually threw on a set of Armani casual wear, and left.

"Xiao Yu, aren't you eating lunch?"

"Mom, I'm going out to eat with Xi Xi," Fan Yu said, waving goodbye.

He arrived at the underground garage, where Su Xi was circling Fan Yu's vintage car.

"Fan Yu, what kind of car is this?"

Fan Yu smiled and replied, "A Shelby Cobra 427. It's a highly collectible car."

"Yours?"

Seeing the Cobra 427 parked in Fan Yu's spot, Su Xi frowned and asked.

"Yeah, it was just shipped over from Europe last night," Fan Yu said.

Su Xi didn't think much of it. "Let's take this one. I want to see how this antique rides."

Fan Yu didn't refuse. He took out the car keys, opened the door, and the two of them drove off.

"Where are we going?" Fan Yu asked, gripping the steering wheel with one hand.

"Let's go to Mako's BBQ Restaurant."

Mako's BBQ was a barbecue joint in Magic City with a unique flavor.

The restaurant's decor was filled with a nostalgic vibe from the 1980s in old Magic City.

They used large ceramic mugs for water.

The tea bowls were printed with old patterns, exuding a sense of history.

There were cast-iron grill plates and bronze casting stoves.

Two bottles of ice-cold beer, several plates of fresh, pure beef from Niu Jie, and then clinking glasses with friends – a truly enjoyable experience.

The restaurant was currently in its peak dining hours.

The main hall was filled with a mouth-watering aroma of barbecue.

Looking at the crowded hall, Fan Yu and Su Xi couldn't help but feel that the restaurant's business was indeed booming.