1965 Cobra Daytona  |
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1964 Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe news, pictures, and information | ||
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 |  |  | Coupe Chassis Num: CSX 2299 |
CSX 2299 was the second coupe built, the first to wear Italian coachwork and carries the best race history of the six coupes built. It competed in a total of ten FIA events in 1964 & 1965. It scored a debut class win during the 1964 24 Hours of Le Mans. Two months later Dan Gurney piloted the car to a GT win at Goodwood. Early in 1965, victories at the Daytona 2000 km and Sebring 12 Hours were also added to the car's history.
Caroll Shelby scored a victory for Aston Martin at the grueling 24 Hours of LeMans in 1959. Soon after he was struck by heart problems and forced to retire from the driver's seat. This freed up time to pursue his other passion, building the world's fastest sports car. That dream would be realized years later, adapting a powerful Ford engine into a nimble, British sports car. The car was named the Cobra.
John Tojeiro had designed and produced a small sports-car which he sold under the name of AC Ace. The cars had a tubular chassis and powered by Bristol 2-liter six-cylinder engines. With its lightweight body and good handling characteristics it was an ideal vehicle for racing. Many of the owners entered the Ace in competition and enjoyed moderate success.
When Bristol announced they would no longer offer the engine, Tojeiro was left without a power-plant to propel his cars. As a result, the end of AC Ace production was announced. When Shelby found out about this, he contacted Tojeiro and convinced him to continue production by outfitting the cars with Ford Fairlane engines. Shelby traveled to the UK to supervise the construction of the prototype chassis. The main problem with the engine was the high amounts of torque that it produced. The engine produced almost twice as much power as the engine it was replacing and yet it weighed less. The rear end was modified to handle this increase in power. After thorough testing and fine-tuning, 100 examples were ordered.
Right around the same time, General Motors was getting ready to introduce the Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray. In 1962 the Shelby Cobra and the Stingray made their debut at the Riverside 3-Hour race. During qualifying, Shelby Cobra himself drove one of the newly created Cobra's, beating the Stingray's best time by over four seconds. During the race, Bill Krause was leading the competition by more than 30 seconds when he was forced to retire due to mechanical difficulties. The Sting Ray went on to win the race.
For the following season, Shelby took part in the first US manufactures' championship which he easily dominated. His Shelby Cobra's went on to secure 111 points by winning six out of the seven races. Ferrari had accumulated 28 points and Chevrolet amassed only 19. The Cobra had proven it was a very capable machine. Shelby turned his sights to international competition.
Ferrari was the ruling force for GT cars in the FIA World Championship Series. Their powerful engines and carefully crafted vehicles were suitable for the high speed tracks where most of the races were held. The Shelby Cobra, too, was a fast car but was at a disadvantage on these types of tracks due to the design of the body. As a result, the Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe was born.
The Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe was created by Pete Brock who was given permission by Shelby to re-body a 289 Cobra in a closed-cockpit configuration. It was hand fabricated out of aluminum over wooden cross-section templates. In the back of the vehicle featured a chopped off Kamm-back tail and void of any spoiler. The main purpose for this endeavor was to improve aerodynamics. A test run in October of 1963 proved that the Daytona Coupe had a lower center of gravity, less drag, and a higher top speed by about 20 mph. Its racing debut was at Daytona and thus, the derivative of its name. For the first half of the race the Daytona dominated but fire in the pits forced the team to retire prematurely. A visit to the 12 Hours of Sebring gave the Cobra Daytona its first racing victory where it finished first in the GT class and third overall. Up to this point, only one car had been created, CSX 2287. By the Le Mans race, two examples had been created, CSX 2287 and CSX 2299. Eventually, a total of six examples would be constructed. Dan Gurney and Bob Bondurant drove the Daytona Coupe to a GT class win at LeMans and finished fourth overall.
Ferrari went on to capture the manufacturer's title, though only by the slightest of margins. The Shelby team missed the World Manufacturers Championship by just a few points. The Daytona Coupe probably would have won the title if the Italian Monza race had not been canceled. By this point, four Daytona Coupes were ready for competition. Throughout the season, the Daytona Coupes had lead the Ferrari's in most of the races. Mechanical difficulties were often the only factor that allowed the Ferrari's to beat the Daytona Coupes. By fielding four racers, the success of the Daytona Coupe was almost certainly guaranteed had the race not been canceled. In 1965 Ferrari did not compete in the GT World Championship. They were unable to field a legal replacement for the 250 GTO.
For the 1965 season, the Daytona Coupes won eight of the eleven races. They repeated their victory's in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1965. Rule changes at the end of the season made the Cobra Daytona Coupes obsolete. The Lola based Ford GT40 program was progressing with much success. The decision was made to shift resources over to the Ford GT40 program. At the close of the season, the Coupes were left with Alan Mann in England but tax fines forced the cars to be shipped back to Shelby in the United States. It took years to sell the racers but eventually they were sold. Two of them reside in the Shelby American Collection museum in Boulder, Colorado. In modern times, their demanding price for one of these rare vehicles is estimated to be in the millions.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2007
John Tojeiro had designed and produced a small sports-car which he sold under the name of AC Ace. The cars had a tubular chassis and powered by Bristol 2-liter six-cylinder engines. With its lightweight body and good handling characteristics it was an ideal vehicle for racing. Many of the owners entered the Ace in competition and enjoyed moderate success.
When Bristol announced they would no longer offer the engine, Tojeiro was left without a power-plant to propel his cars. As a result, the end of AC Ace production was announced. When Shelby found out about this, he contacted Tojeiro and convinced him to continue production by outfitting the cars with Ford Fairlane engines. Shelby traveled to the UK to supervise the construction of the prototype chassis. The main problem with the engine was the high amounts of torque that it produced. The engine produced almost twice as much power as the engine it was replacing and yet it weighed less. The rear end was modified to handle this increase in power. After thorough testing and fine-tuning, 100 examples were ordered.
Right around the same time, General Motors was getting ready to introduce the Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray. In 1962 the Shelby Cobra and the Stingray made their debut at the Riverside 3-Hour race. During qualifying, Shelby Cobra himself drove one of the newly created Cobra's, beating the Stingray's best time by over four seconds. During the race, Bill Krause was leading the competition by more than 30 seconds when he was forced to retire due to mechanical difficulties. The Sting Ray went on to win the race.
For the following season, Shelby took part in the first US manufactures' championship which he easily dominated. His Shelby Cobra's went on to secure 111 points by winning six out of the seven races. Ferrari had accumulated 28 points and Chevrolet amassed only 19. The Cobra had proven it was a very capable machine. Shelby turned his sights to international competition.
Ferrari was the ruling force for GT cars in the FIA World Championship Series. Their powerful engines and carefully crafted vehicles were suitable for the high speed tracks where most of the races were held. The Shelby Cobra, too, was a fast car but was at a disadvantage on these types of tracks due to the design of the body. As a result, the Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe was born.
The Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe was created by Pete Brock who was given permission by Shelby to re-body a 289 Cobra in a closed-cockpit configuration. It was hand fabricated out of aluminum over wooden cross-section templates. In the back of the vehicle featured a chopped off Kamm-back tail and void of any spoiler. The main purpose for this endeavor was to improve aerodynamics. A test run in October of 1963 proved that the Daytona Coupe had a lower center of gravity, less drag, and a higher top speed by about 20 mph. Its racing debut was at Daytona and thus, the derivative of its name. For the first half of the race the Daytona dominated but fire in the pits forced the team to retire prematurely. A visit to the 12 Hours of Sebring gave the Cobra Daytona its first racing victory where it finished first in the GT class and third overall. Up to this point, only one car had been created, CSX 2287. By the Le Mans race, two examples had been created, CSX 2287 and CSX 2299. Eventually, a total of six examples would be constructed. Dan Gurney and Bob Bondurant drove the Daytona Coupe to a GT class win at LeMans and finished fourth overall.
Ferrari went on to capture the manufacturer's title, though only by the slightest of margins. The Shelby team missed the World Manufacturers Championship by just a few points. The Daytona Coupe probably would have won the title if the Italian Monza race had not been canceled. By this point, four Daytona Coupes were ready for competition. Throughout the season, the Daytona Coupes had lead the Ferrari's in most of the races. Mechanical difficulties were often the only factor that allowed the Ferrari's to beat the Daytona Coupes. By fielding four racers, the success of the Daytona Coupe was almost certainly guaranteed had the race not been canceled. In 1965 Ferrari did not compete in the GT World Championship. They were unable to field a legal replacement for the 250 GTO.
For the 1965 season, the Daytona Coupes won eight of the eleven races. They repeated their victory's in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1965. Rule changes at the end of the season made the Cobra Daytona Coupes obsolete. The Lola based Ford GT40 program was progressing with much success. The decision was made to shift resources over to the Ford GT40 program. At the close of the season, the Coupes were left with Alan Mann in England but tax fines forced the cars to be shipped back to Shelby in the United States. It took years to sell the racers but eventually they were sold. Two of them reside in the Shelby American Collection museum in Boulder, Colorado. In modern times, their demanding price for one of these rare vehicles is estimated to be in the millions.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2007
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.
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.
By Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2010
For more information and related vehicles, click hereA.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.
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.
By Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2010
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