 1964 Cobra 289 | 1964 Cobra Dragonsnake 289 |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
1965 Shelby Cobra 289 news, pictures, and information | ||
| Tweet | ||
 |  |  | Roadster Chassis Num: CSX 6057 |
A Ford 289 V-8 engine developing 271 horsepower for the street version or 325 horsepower for the track version, capable of top speeds of 135 mph and 150 mph, respectively, powers the Cobra. The car is capable of zero to 100 mph in 10.6 seconds. The chassis consists of independent front and rear transverse-leaf suspension; Girling disc brakes; wire wheels; weighs 2,100 pounds and sold for $5,995 in 1963-1964.
Between 1963 and 1965, Cobras racked up 17 GT victories and established 42 international records. In 1965, the Cobra 289 won the world GT championship.
 |  |  | Roadster |
Only 654 289's were built with a number of them being written off for racing or hard use over the years. The first 75 cars had the 260 cubic-inch engine installed and later small block cars had the 289 cubic-inch engine with 271 horsepower installed or you could order an optional engine with 380 horsepower.
The current owner is the second owner of the car having purchased it in 1974. It has just over 39,000 miles on the odometer. The car is equipped with the rare dealer installed hard top and radio delete and no heater.
 |  |  | Roadster |
In 1960, Carroll got out of the driver's seat and turned his attention to design. The result of this vision was what is considered perhaps the greatest sports car and one of the fastest road cars ever constructed - the Shelby Cobra. The aluminum-bodied 289 and 427 Cobra models made Carroll Shelby a household name in the 1960s.
This automobile has been club raced since new. It is fully restored.
 |  |  | Roadster Chassis Num: CSX 2494 |
 |  |  | Roadster Chassis Num: CSX2452 |
Because of the tremendous racing success Shelby had with these cars, they were an immediate hit; even Steve McQueen ordered one. Cobras sold for less than $6,000 new; in total, there were about 500 289 Cobras made from 1963 to 1965.
Shelby Cobra CSX 2452 has been restored to its original color with chrome wires and a hardtop by Precision AR of Newburyport, MA. This car was originally purchased by Dan Gerber of Gerber baby food. Mr. Gerber has enjoyed a widely varied career including professional race car driver, auto dealer, high school teacher, editor, journalist and award-winning American non-fiction author and poet.
 |  |  | Roadster Chassis Num: CSX 2254 |
The car was returned to Shelby and repainted in its original colors (it had been painted white for the movies.)
 |  |  | Roadster |
 |  |  | Roadster Chassis Num: CSX2522 |
Two cars were invoiced by Shelby American as 'Slalom Specials,' CSX2522 the prototype and CSX2537. Hired as a 'Kelly Girl,' Helen Green worked at Shelby American in the high performance parts department. She and her husband Chuck Green were active auto-crossers with their 1964 Stingray. Shelby became aware of the success they had been experiencing and managed to meet Chuck and hire him to manage the aftermarket parts department. He was then offered CSX2522 to autocross and promote the Slalom Snake. This he and Helen did with much success. Chuck was the father of the Cobra Owners Club and organized many competition, rally and touring events. Helen was extremely active as well, running a driving school at SA for women and competing in the cobra as well. Many times Chuck and Helen shared Top time of the day for men and women at autocrosses from Los Angeles to Phoenix.
Chuck attacked a light pole at an event, damaging CSX2522 in the passenger side enough that Shelby told him to 'get his own car.' The autocross competitors were complaining of professionalism and sponsor ship, so perhaps it was best for Chuck and Helen to do just that. CSX2526 was purchased as a street car and Chuck then began modifying it to his standards. For two years he and Helen competed almost every weekend, winning hundreds of trophies. In 1967 they sold the car to Steve Schuler who still has the car to this day. While not a factory prepared SS, it is part of the Slalom Snake story.
The prototype was repaired and sold to Hayward Ford in San Francisco bay area on December 29th of 1964. Roy Miller, the Sales Manager drove it for a number of months as a commuter until it sold. It was owned by Rich Kotz of San Jose from 1967 to 1969 when purchased by Ron Tredway in December of 1969. Ron auto-crossed and drag raced the car until 1974 and it has been in restoration since.
CSX2537 Cobra was prepared for SCCA racing in the late 1960's and eventually became a vintage race car for the last 25 years. Sustaining damage at Steamboat in 1996 it was sold to Bill Murray of Murray Racing then purchased back by Patrick Hogan in 2001. During the next four years the car was painstakingly restored by Bill Murrary.
 |  |  | Roadster Chassis Num: CSX2387 |
 |  |  | Roadster Chassis Num: CSX 2514 Engine Num: 055 |
 |  |  | Roadster Chassis Num: CSX 2356 |
| Sold for $792,000 at 2012 RM Auctions. | |||
This Cobra has its original ignition key, hood latch T-handle key, and its etched 'Cobra' sun visors and wind wings are intact.
In 2012, this car was offered for sale at RM Auction's Monterey, CA sale. It was estimated to sell for $400,000 - $500,000 and offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $792,000, inclusive of buyer's premium.
By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2012
 |  | Roadster Chassis Num: CSX 2540 |
History of CSX 2587
White/black. Invoiced to Shelby America 10/12/64. Shipped to L.A. 10/23 aboard the 'SS Pacific Fortune'. 2587 was invoiced on 12/11/64 to Archway Motors (Baltimore, MD) as '1 Cobra-Ford, chassis #CSX2587, white/black' ($5,195.00); with Class A accessories, including WSW tires and a luggage rack (uninstalled) ($280.00); a radio and antenna ($45.00); a hardtop ($169.00); side curtains ($77); 5 chrome wheels ($105); an automatic transmission ($173); antifreeze ($3.55); and freight ($310), for a total of $6,358.55. The car was delivered to MD via Shelby truck. Its first owner was Gaines Allen of Bricklaying, Inc. (Washington DC.), who purchased it from Archway in 5/65. The car came back in 7/65 for warranty repairs to the tachometer, heater core, radio, and apparently loose or defective lower engien mounts, which allowed the driveline to contact the body. Allen sold 2587 in 1967 to Sun Motors, from whom it was bought by Wendy Hobson (DC). A good friend, Dodge Olmsted (Arlington VA), installed a 289 engine and 4-speed transmission he had removed from the wrecked CSX 2348 in 6/68. In 1969 Hobson offered the car for sale: 'Cobra roadster 1965. Second from last 289 built. Original white paint has some minor dents, otherwise cherry. Always garaged, never raced, rallied or abused. $4800.'Ron Brown (Laurel, MD) purchased the car, and advertised it in 1971: '1965 Cobra 289, pure Shelby. New paint on perfect body, low mileage, F60-15's, mechanically perfect. Never raced. $6,000 firm.' It was sold to Don Fechner (Madison, WI). Duane Lehnert (IL) was the car's next owner, and from him it was acquired by Bill Kemper (Barrington, IL) in 1975. Kemper restored the car, giving it new white paint, headers with side pipes, a finned aluminum oil pan and completion 289 heads. The car was advertised for sale in 12/75 at a price of $12,000. Mark Woodward (IL) bought 2587 and kept it until 1980, at which point he offered it for sale in the $40,000 range. The price was reduced to $32,000 by 9/80, and Bill Kemper repurchased it. In 1981-1982 the car again appeared in classifieds, for the 'best offer over $42K'. Kemper sold the Cobra to Quinton Dobbs (Atlanta, GA), who son, Wesley, came to Illinois to pick it up and drive it home. There is a street in Atlanta named after Dobbs.
In May of 1998 he put it up for auction with The Great Gatsbey's Auto Auction Co. The car was purchased by Sidney Tarwater of Northport, AL. Dr. Tarwater had it taken to Cobra Restorers of Crenshaw, GA., where he had a complete restoration done. He then sold the car to James Fillback of Montfort, WI., December of 2001.
 |  |  | Roadster Chassis Num: CSX 2540 |
The Honey West Cobra
CSX 2540 was loaned out by Shelby American in 1965 for use in the Honey West TV Detective Series starring Anne Francis.The car was sold by Shelby American in 1966 as a 'used car' for $3900.
- Original Equipment-Restored to Original Specs and in Reserve
- 289 HP and Aluminum T-10 Transmission
- Current Equipment-Built-up Race Engine
- 425 HP 302 Cubic-inch with Bellanger 351 Headers and Aluminum Fly Wheel
 |  |  | Roadster Chassis Num: CSX 2610 |
COX #2610 is an aluminum bodied, leaf-spring FIA Roadster, finished in Cobra competition team colors (Viking Blue with a red racing nose stripe), with a black interior. It is powered by a Weber-carburetor 289 CID Ford engine, with a top-loader four-speed transmission.
COX #2610 was initially retained in England by A.C. Cars, Ltd., as a company display car, and was eventually acquired by Gabriel Diaz of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and imported into the U.S. in 2003. In 2005, the car was acquired by Archie Urciuoli of Casey Key, Florida.
 |  |  | Roadster Chassis Num: CSX2538 Engine Num: 00041 |
| Sold for $781,000 at 2012 Russo & Steele. Sold for $852,500 at 2013 Gooding & Company. | |||
The car was invoiced to Ray Hunt Ford in Daytona Beach, Florida on January 11th of 1965 at a cost of $5879.05. It was delivered by a Holman and Moody transporter, it arrived in Florida and was sold in early March to its first owner, Andrew Kreider II of Lake Worth for $7,024.87. During Mr. Kreider's ownership, the Cobra accumulated 1,423 miles on the odometer before returning to Ray Hunt Ford where a new windshield was installed due to pitting. A short time later, Mr. Kreider parted with the Cobra.
The car was offered for sale at Hardy-McNeil Motors in Pensacola, Florida and in June of 1966 was purchased by Richard E. Parker of San Diego, California for $5865.21. Mr. Parker was eventually sent off to Vietnam and the Cobra became Mrs. Parker's driver. Now outfitted with sidepipes, the Cobra accumulated numerous invoices from the Parker's ownership, a testament to the fastidious care for the small sports car. By 1968, after a bump in the right rear fender, the car was reportedly repainted in Firebird metallic green. In 1969, it was offered for sale, and on an unfortunate test drive, the car slid into a curb. The minor incident necessitated the repair of the front right suspension. The car was later purchased by the son of a Phoenix, Arizona, Ford and Mercury dealer in June of 1969.
In the early 1970s, Don Roberts reported that the car was in Mesa, Arizona, in a somewhat disassembled state, having been sold to the then-owner of American Fiberglass. Near the close of the decade, the car was sold to Jim Southward of Marietta, Georgia, who returned the car to its original livery of red with black on chrome wheels.
Buz Benson of Naples, Florida became the car's next owner. In early 1979, the car was offered for sale with The Loft of Naples, recording 78,400 miles on the odometer at an asking price of $36,000. It was soon purchased by John C. Fergus of Columbus, Ohio, who had the car road-registered with the Ohio license plate 'Cobra.' It would remain with Mr. Fergus for 29 years, spending part of that time in long-term storage. It emerged from a dormant state in 2008 before changing hands a number of times, eventually ending up with Peter Schick of St. Louis, Missouri.
The current owner acquired the car in 2011.
This car is one of only 453 street 289 Cobras.
By Daniel Vaughan | May 2013
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
| Italian Racing Classics Lead Gooding & Company's 10th Anniversary | |
 | SANTA MONICA, Calif. (June 4, 2013) – Gooding & Company, the official auction house of the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance acclaimed for selling the world's most significant and valuable collector cars, will be hosting the 10th Anniversary sale of the Pebble Beach Auctions on August 17 and 18. This year Gooding & Company offers an early preview of some of the most highly sought after and rapidly amassing value collectible – the distinguished Italian race car. Auction highlights include a...[Read more...] |
| Extremely Significant, Early Shelby Cobra Roadster an Exceptional and Early Headline Consignment to Russo and Steele's Upcoming Monterey Auction | |
 | Scottsdale, Arizona – With his AC Ace-derived, Ford-powered Cobra, Carroll Shelby and his racing team spearheaded Ford's 'Total Performance' campaign of the 1960s on the world stage and ended Ferrari's dominance of the World Sportscar Championship for GT cars by 1965. This stellar example, CSX2012, is particularly significant as the first Cobra sold to the public from Shelby American's West Coast operations in Venice, California. With highly documented and fascinating history including its...[Read more...] |
| Raw Power Has a Stamp of Its Own Muscle Cars Roar at Spring Classic Auction | |
 | What do you get when you bring the U.S. Postal Service and Dana Mecum's Original Spring Classic Auction together at the State Fairgrounds — a Muscle Car Extravaganza! Since it began 26 years ago, Mecum's Spring Classic auction in Indianapolis has featured the largest auction of muscle cars in the world. This year, the Postal Service will celebrate the raw power of the performance vehicle at the Spring Classic event by dedicating five, limited edition stamps featuring iconic muscle cars...[Read more...] |
| The WeatherTech® CHICAGO REGION SCCA JUNE SPRINTS® | |
 | Winning the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) June Sprints at Road America has been every sports car driver's dream since the thrilling first event in 1956. That's when a tall, curly-haired chicken farmer from Texas named Carroll Shelby drove all night to make the race, jumped into the cockpit of a Ferrari 121 LM without even changing out of his work clothes - striped farmer's overalls - and won the 152-mile feature. No one back then knew that his win would set the tone for his momentous racing ...[Read more...] |
| Carroll Shelby, Ford Family for More Than Half a Century | |
 | Carroll Shelby was a member of the Ford family for the better part of 60 years, producing stunning performance vehicles from concepts to production models. He once said his energy and passion for performance products were always strongest when he was working with Ford. Shelby most recently collaborated with the company on the 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang, the most powerful production V8 in the world. Working with SVT engineers at Sebring and the Arizona Proving Grounds, at times he drov...[Read more...] |
 1965
Shelby
models |
| Shelby Cobra 427 |
| Shelby Cobra Daytona |
| Shelby Mustang GT 350 R Competition |
| Shelby: 1961-1970 |
| Similar Automakers |
| Other models by Shelby |
| CanAm Cobra Mustang Series 1 |
| 1964 Cobra 289 | 1964 Cobra Dragonsnake 289 |
