conceptcarz.com

1962 Shelby Cobra Dragonsnake

Carroll Shelby's A.C. Cobras were so successful, they won every 1964 race they competed. Having conquered the road courses, a few Shelby employees turned their attention to the drag strip.

1962 Shelby Cobra Dragonsnake photo
Coupe
Chassis #: CSX 2019
View info and history
The Cobra's had a lightweight aluminum body that was made at AC in England. The cars were then shipped to Shelby American in California where they were given a Ford Hi-Po 289 engine. The Shelby Cobra, meant for both road and track, was an instant success.

The Shelby Cobra intended for the drag strip was dubbed the Dragonsnake. Driver Jere Kirkpatrick and mechanic Ralph Falconer, Jr. dominated the A/SP class and was responsible for setting many records.

The Dragonsnake was given several important modifications to make it suitable for the drag strip. The suspension was modified with special drag strip shock absorbers and Goodyear Drag Slicks were placed at all four corners. A 4.8:1 rear end was fitted and the weight was distributed more evenly by moving the battery behind the passenger seat. Safety was not overlooked with the NHRA-approved roll bar.

1962 Shelby Cobra Dragonsnake photo
Coupe
Chassis #: CSX 2019
View info and history
Four engine options were available, beginning with a 289 that offered 270 horsepower. With the addition of four barrel carburetors, horsepower rose to 300. With four Weber cars, that figure increased to 325. The most potent configuration was the 380 HP engine which had Weber carburetors with special camshaft, and ported and polished heads. Each engine was prepared and configured to comply with AHRA and NHRA standards.

There were eight examples of the Dragonsnake produced by Shelby. One example, chassis number CSX3198, was the only one fitted with a 427 engine. CSX2093 was the most successful race Cobra in drag racing competition, earning 7 NHRA National event victories.


by Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2012

1962 Shelby Cobra Dragonsnake Vehicle Profiles

1962 Shelby Cobra Dragonsnake vehicle information
Coupe

Chassis #: CSX 2019

Recent Vehicle Additions

Related Automotive News

Gooding & Company Releases Entire Catalogue for Upcoming London Sale, Led by a 1953 Ferrari 166 MM/53 Spider Offered from Long-Term Ownership

Gooding & Company Releases Entire Catalogue for Upcoming London Sale, Led by a 1953 Ferrari 166 MM/53 Spider Offered from Long-Term Ownership

The London Auction at Hampton Court Palace will present an unrestored Ferrari 166 MM53 Spider and Ferrari 250 Europa, as well as a desirable Fiat 8V Berlinetta and right-hand-drive Aston Martin DB5 Convertible. Gooding %26 Company, the international...
Automobiles with Exceptional Provenance Highlight Gooding & Company's Pebble Beach Auctions

Automobiles with Exceptional Provenance Highlight Gooding & Company's Pebble Beach Auctions

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (July 10, 2014) – Gooding %26 Company, celebrated for its world-class automotive auctions and record-breaking results, will begin its second decade as the official auction house of the Pebble Beach Concours dElegance® on August...
Looks, Rarity, Performance: The Ultimate Connoisseur's Ferrari at RM Monterey...

Looks, Rarity, Performance: The Ultimate Connoisseur's Ferrari at RM Monterey...

LOOKS, RARITY, PERFORMANCE THE ULTIMATE CONNOISSEURS FERRARI, 275 GTBC SPECIALE HEADLINES RM AUCTIONS FLAGSHIP MONTEREY SALE RM Auctions offers the first of only three 1964 Ferrari 275 GTBC Speciales, chassis 06701, at its flagship Mon...
TWO OF THE ORIGINAL SHELBY GT350 MUSTANG PROTOTYPES TO MEET UP IN TULSA, OKLAHOMA

TWO OF THE ORIGINAL SHELBY GT350 MUSTANG PROTOTYPES TO MEET UP IN TULSA, OKLAHOMA

More than three decades after taping a full-page ad ripped from a 1965 car magazine above his bunk on an Alaskan crab boat, Mark Hovander is touring the country this year with the same Ford Shelby GT350 Mustang pictured on that page. Hovander and his...
Extremely Significant, Early Shelby Cobra Roadster an Exceptional and Early Headline Consignment to Russo and Steele's Upcoming Monterey Auction

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 Fords Total Performance campaign of the 1960s on the world stage and ended Ferraris dominance of the World Sportscar Championship for...