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 |  | View more photos Chassis Num: CSX 2136 |
During 1962 and 1963 the Shelby Cobra was tested, modified, and improved. Its weaknesses and shortcomings were identified and fixed. Larger tires sent more power to the ground and improved cornering but it also identified that the transverse leaf spring suspension was inadequate. The more improvements brought about greater speeds and the need for better stopping power.
The Cobra was proving itself on the racing circuit, with great speed and reliability being shown at Daytona and Sebring. Carroll turned his sights on the 24 Heures du Mans race. Two vehicles were constructed specifically for this grueling 24 hour endurance race that not only tests the team and the drivers, but also the car. A 37 gallon fuel tank with a high capacity fuel filler and quick release were adapted to the cars. The fender flares were enlarged and the prior wheels were replaced in favor of Dunlop magnesium wheels. The 'FIA' hood scoop and side vents were enlarged which allowed more air to the engine and improved cooling. A roll cage was added to provide safety for the driver. Though the engine was already highly modified, four Weber dual choke downdraft carburetors provided extra power.
The Cobras were entered by AC Cars and managed by Stirling Moss. Drivers Peter Bolton and Ninian Sanderson drove the cars to a respectable 7th place overall and 3rd in the GT category. In response to this success, six more Cobra's were commissioned to be built and dubbed the Le Mans version.
CSX 2136 was one of the first of these commemorative LeMans Cobra's to be built. It was constructed to compete throughout the remaining 1963 SCCA/US Road Racing Championship season. It was raced on September 8th at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. Driven by Dave MacDonald and Bob Bondurant, it finished fourth overall and first in its class. A month later it finished 3rd in the GT class at the Los Angeles Times GT race and driven by Spencer. A few weeks later MacDonald navigated CSX 2136 to a second place overall victory at the Hawaiian GP. On December 8th, 1963, CSX 2136 served its final duties in SCCA/USRRC racing competition, driven by Frank Gardner to a first in class at the Nassau Trophy Race.
Ed Leslie purchased the car from the Shelby Team and raced it extensively during the 1964 season. He raced in the SCCA A/Production class, winning seven of the eleven races he entered.
It was sold to Foster Alexander who continued its racing history during the 1965 season. One of the more prominent races and victories for Alexander with the Cobra was at the ARRC National championship finale at Daytona where he skillfully navigated the car to an impressive third overall and first in class.
The car was later sold to Lee Midgley and Stan Bennett who continued to race CSX 2136.
| | View more photos Roadster Chassis Num: CSX 2156 |
During 1963 eight cars were built as race cars by AC. Six of this series were finished by Shelby American in Venice, California. The first two cars ran at LeMans in June, with fastback hardtops. The next three cars were painted black and raced by Shelby America in USRRC and SCCA Races in the summer and fall of 1963. The last set of three cars were sold to racing customers.
2156 was sold to George Constantine and delivered to George Butler at Nassau Speed Weeks in November of 1963. Butler finished 1st in GT Governor's Trophy Race.
It finished 7th overall at Daytona Continental in February of 1964. It raced yearly in N.E., Mid-Atlantic, Central and Midwest Regions, of SCCA between 1964 and 1980.
It was invited to ARRC in 1971 (2nd BP and Rookie of the Year) and 1972 while owned and raced by Gordon Meffert.
From 1980 to the present, it has been vintage raced and owned by various owners.
The formula for the success of the Cobra came through a man named Carroll Shelby adapting a powerful Ford engine into a nimble, British sports car.
A.C. Cars of Thames Ditton in Surrey, England had been producing the Ace since 1954. It was designed by John Tojeiro and featured an independent suspension by transverse leaf springs. The tubular frame body of the vehicle took its styling cues from Ferrari. The original engine used in the Ace was a 1991 cc, over-head-cam engine designed by John Weller, the founder of AC, in the 1920s. In 1956, an optional Bristol engine became available. This was a BMW derived, 1971 cc six-cylinder engine that was capable of producing 125 horsepower. With the Bristol engine, the Ace captured many victories on the race tracks around the world. It even won the SCCA Class E championship three years in a row.
In 1959, Bristol ceased its six-cylinder engine production. When Bristol stopped supplying A.C. with the engine, the production of the Ace ceased. Carroll Shelby quickly negotiated a deal where A.C. would supply him with the chassis. Now all Shelby needed was an appropriate engine. In 1961, Ford introduced the 221 cubic-inch small block engine. This was a new lightweight, thin wall-cast, V8 engine that produced 164 horsepower. Shelby approached Ford about the use of the engine for the 2-seat sports car. Ford agrees.
In February of 1962, a 260 HiPo engine and Borg-Warner four-speed manual gearbox was fitted into the aluminum-bodied Cobras. The AC Shelby Ford Cobra was complete.
In April of 1962, the first Cobra with chassis CSX 2000 was painted yellow and shipped to the New York Auto Show where it appeared on the Ford display. The vehicle was an instant success and attracted much attention. Orders came faster than Shelby could build. The prototype CSX 2000 was continuously being repainted for magazine reviews. The purpose was to create an illusion that more Cobras existed.
In 1963 the engine size increased to 289 cubic-inches. Rack-and-pinion steering was added to the vehicle.
Two Cobras were entered into the grueling 24-Hours of Le Mans endurance race. Carroll Shelby himself drove one of the vehicles. Ford had refused to provide an engine so Shelby, with the help of A.C. cars and Ed Hugus, prepare the cars. One of the Cobras managed to capture a seventh place finish, a major accomplishment.
Dan Gurney became the first American driver to win an FIA race in an American car when he won the Bridgehampton 500KM race in September of 1963 while driving a Cobra.
In 1964, the Cobra returned to LeMans where it finished fourth overall and first in the GT class.
Near the end of 1964, the Cobra 427 was unveiled to the press. If featured a new tubular, aluminum body, coil spring chassis, and a 427 cubic-inch, 425 horsepower engine. The car was able to go from zero to 100 mph and back to zero in less than 14 seconds. This combination captured the FIA World Championship for Ford in 1965.
In 1965, Ford discontinued its support of Shelby's racing program and the Cobra 427 production ceased after only 160 vehicles had been produced. AC continued to produce the AC 289 until 1968.
In 1967, the last 427 Cobra was built and in 1968, the last 427 Cobra was sold by Carroll Shelby.
Ford had shifted their resources to the new GT40 and modified Mustang programs. In 1966, three GT-40 Mark II's crossed the finish line at Le Mans capturing first, second, and third.
A.C. Cars of Thames Ditton in Surrey, England had been producing the Ace since 1954. It was designed by John Tojeiro and featured an independent suspension by transverse leaf springs. The tubular frame body of the vehicle took its styling cues from Ferrari. The original engine used in the Ace was a 1991 cc, over-head-cam engine designed by John Weller, the founder of AC, in the 1920s. In 1956, an optional Bristol engine became available. This was a BMW derived, 1971 cc six-cylinder engine that was capable of producing 125 horsepower. With the Bristol engine, the Ace captured many victories on the race tracks around the world. It even won the SCCA Class E championship three years in a row.
In 1959, Bristol ceased its six-cylinder engine production. When Bristol stopped supplying A.C. with the engine, the production of the Ace ceased. Carroll Shelby quickly negotiated a deal where A.C. would supply him with the chassis. Now all Shelby needed was an appropriate engine. In 1961, Ford introduced the 221 cubic-inch small block engine. This was a new lightweight, thin wall-cast, V8 engine that produced 164 horsepower. Shelby approached Ford about the use of the engine for the 2-seat sports car. Ford agrees.
In February of 1962, a 260 HiPo engine and Borg-Warner four-speed manual gearbox was fitted into the aluminum-bodied Cobras. The AC Shelby Ford Cobra was complete.
In April of 1962, the first Cobra with chassis CSX 2000 was painted yellow and shipped to the New York Auto Show where it appeared on the Ford display. The vehicle was an instant success and attracted much attention. Orders came faster than Shelby could build. The prototype CSX 2000 was continuously being repainted for magazine reviews. The purpose was to create an illusion that more Cobras existed.
In 1963 the engine size increased to 289 cubic-inches. Rack-and-pinion steering was added to the vehicle.
Two Cobras were entered into the grueling 24-Hours of Le Mans endurance race. Carroll Shelby himself drove one of the vehicles. Ford had refused to provide an engine so Shelby, with the help of A.C. cars and Ed Hugus, prepare the cars. One of the Cobras managed to capture a seventh place finish, a major accomplishment.
Dan Gurney became the first American driver to win an FIA race in an American car when he won the Bridgehampton 500KM race in September of 1963 while driving a Cobra.
In 1964, the Cobra returned to LeMans where it finished fourth overall and first in the GT class.
Near the end of 1964, the Cobra 427 was unveiled to the press. If featured a new tubular, aluminum body, coil spring chassis, and a 427 cubic-inch, 425 horsepower engine. The car was able to go from zero to 100 mph and back to zero in less than 14 seconds. This combination captured the FIA World Championship for Ford in 1965.
In 1965, Ford discontinued its support of Shelby's racing program and the Cobra 427 production ceased after only 160 vehicles had been produced. AC continued to produce the AC 289 until 1968.
In 1967, the last 427 Cobra was built and in 1968, the last 427 Cobra was sold by Carroll Shelby.
Ford had shifted their resources to the new GT40 and modified Mustang programs. In 1966, three GT-40 Mark II's crossed the finish line at Le Mans capturing first, second, and third.
| Photos grouped by event | ||
|
Monterey Historic Automobile Races at Laguna Seca |
Monterey Historic Automobile Races |
2006 RM Auctions at Amelia Island |
1963 Shelby Cobra 289 Le Mans |
|
| Year | 1963 |
| Make | Shelby |
| Model | Cobra 289 Le Mans |
| Body Style | Roadster |
| Engine Location | Front |
| Drive Type | Rear Wheel |
| Production Years for Series | 1963 - 1965 |
| Weight | 2300 lbs | 1043.3 kg |
| Combined MPG | 0.00 |
| Chassis / Engine Numbers Shown | |
| Chassis Number | CSX 2136 |
| Chassis Number | CSX 2156 |
| Engine | |
| Engine Configuration | V |
| Cylinders | 8 |
| Aspiration/Induction | Normal |
| Displacement | 289.00 CU IN. | 4736.7 cc. | 4.7 L. |
| Valves | 16 valves. 2 valves per cylinder. |
| Horsepower | 330.00 HP (242.9 KW) |
| Torque | 312.00 Ft-Lbs (423.1 NM) @ 4500.00 RPM |
| HP to Weight Ratio | 7.0 LB / HP (Vehicles with similar ratio) |
| HP / Liter | 70.2 BHP / Liter |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline - Petrol |
| Fuel Feed | Carburetor |
| 4 Weber 48 IDM Downdraft carburetor | |
| Vehicles with similar horsepower and weight | |
| Standard Transmission | |
| Gears | 4 |
| Transmission | Manual |
| View more photographs |
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| Other models by Shelby |
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| Related Articles and Event Coverage |
| Monterey Historic Automobile Races at Laguna Seca |
| Monterey Historic Automobile Races |
| 2006 RM Auctions at Amelia Island |
| 1963 Shelby models |
| Cobra 289 |
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