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1964 Shelby Cobra Dragonsnake 289 Roadster

  • Chassis Number: CSX 2109
A.C. Cobra #2109 was first sold to Tasca Ford and painted metallic red. It was sold to Larry MacAlister and updated for drag-racing as a 'Dragonsnake' with 4 Weber carburetors, Hi-Po heads, racing cam, scatter shield, rear mounted battery, etc. In Street Production class, it had 20 straight wins with speeds of the low 120's and 11.6 second elapsed times and was invited to the NHRA nationals. MacAlister failed to get a ruling on the Hi-Po head before the final race. He intentionally hesitated at the start against a factory Cobra fearing loss of his 20 wins and came in second. but he turned a faster trap speed and lower E.T. and won a unofficial first place. The Hi-Po head was then ruled legal! After subsequent wins, it was stored in a walled-in basement for 19 years before it underwent a restoration. The current owner bought the car in 2005.

CSX 2109 Privateer 'Dragonsnake,' sponsored by Harr Ford who installed roll bar, hard top, competition seat belts, scattershield, 4.89:1 rear gears, Koni shocks, rear mounted battery, drive shaft hoop, and competition aluminum radiator. Enging modifications were HiPo heads, 4 Weber carburetors, electric fuel pump and a racing cam.

Entered in Street Stock class, #2109 won 20 races in 1964 turning 11.6 to 11.7 seconds in the quarter mile with trap speeds of 120's. This earned him a trip to the NHRA Nationals where in the finals he ran against Ed Terry in a 1964 Shelby American sponsored car. He intentionally delayed his start for fear of being disqualified because of the HiPo heads, which were original on later serial numbers. His elapse time and trap speed exceeded Ed Terry's, in effect, with an unofficial win.

Interestingly, he had been unable to get a ruling as to the legality of the HiPo heads prior to the race, but following the race they were approved.

#2109 was then road-raced and auto-crossed between 1965 and 1968, and on two occasions raced the Butler Chevrolet sponsored Cobra to determine the fastest Cobra in Mass. winning the original and rematch race. In 2005 it raced and won a drag race against a 'Hemi Cuba' in Monterey.

The owner then cut a hole in his basement wall, drove the car in, put it up on blocks, filed the hole in the wall, and stored it for 15 years.

Except for paint and restoration, the car is exceptionally original with all original body panels.

The 1964 Shelby 289 Cobra with chassis number CSX2109 was offered for sale at the 2006 RM Auction in Monterey, CA where it was estimated to sell between $650,000-$850,000. It was originally purchased as a independent competition car. CSX 2109 was first sent to Tasca Ford where it was used as a personal car of Bob Tasca, the owner of the dealership. It was painted Princess blue with a red interior. Tasca had the color changed to Candy Apple red. In February of 1964 the car was sold to Larry McAllister of Worcester, Massachusetts. It came equipped with heater, radio, wind wings, luggage rack, and bumper guards. Since it was purchased in 1964 the vehicle was registered as a 1964. Mr. McAllister's desire was to race the car. He enlisted Gus Zuidema as his driver and Harr Ford to sponsor the vehicle. Harr equipped the car with hood scoops, roll bar, hard top, 4.89:1 rear axle ratio, special shocks, rear mounted battery, driveshaft hoop, competition seat belts, scatter shield, and aluminum radiator. The engine was given attention; modifications include Weber carburetors, Stewart Warner fuel pump and a racing cam. The 289 cubic-inch V8 engine with four dual throat Weber 481DA carburetors was estimated to produce 325 horsepower, though it probably produced much higher figures. The Cobra was raced in Street Stock Competition and provided many podium finishes for its driver. It was capable of traversing the quarter-mile in just 11.69 seconds. Top speeds were around 120 mph. It competed in the 1964 NHRA nationals in Indianapolis where it made it to the finals where it competed against Ed Terry in a Shelby American Cobra. When the checkered flag fell, Zuidema threw the race. If he had won the race and been declared the champion, he was afraid the '64 HiPo heads would be declared illegal and would be stripped of his title. After the race, Zuidema drove the car to the fastest trap speed and the lowest elapsed time just to prove that his car was faster. Though he did not win the victory, he was content in knowing that his car was faster. A ruling came a short time after the race that the HiPo heads were legal. After the close of the 1964 season, CSX2109 was converted to a road racing car and continued to race it in 1965 to 1968 competition. It was sold after 1968 to Bill Maxwell of Harvard, Massachusetts. Maxwell continued to race the vehicle, though not extensively, until 1973. After then it sat on blocks for the next fifteen years. The car was discovered by Forbes 'Toby' Anderson who commissioned a comprehensive restoration. After the restoration, the vehicle was purchased by its next owner. It was then offered for sale at the 2006 RM Auction in Monterey, Ca where it was estimated to sell between $650,000-$850,000. The car proved to be popular as bidding quickly reached the estimated value. The vehicle found a new owner at the price of $660,000.

2006 Monterey Sports & Classic Car Auction

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $650,000-USD $850,000 
Sale Price :
USD $660,000

2005 The Monterey Sports and Classic Car Auction

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $350,000-USD $500,000 
Sale Price :
USD $451,000

Recent Sales of the Shelby Cobra Dragonsnake 289

(Data based on Model Year 1964 sales)
1964 Shelby Cobra Dragonsnake 289
Sold for USD$660,000
  2006 Monterey Sports & Classic Car Auction
1964 Shelby Cobra Dragonsnake 289 image  1964 Shelby Cobra Dragonsnake 289 image  
1964 Shelby 289 Cobra 'Dragonsnake' CONVT
Chassis#: CSX2109
Sold for USD$451,000
  2005 The Monterey Sports and Classic Car Auction
1964 Shelby Cobra Dragonsnake 289 image  1964 Shelby Cobra Dragonsnake 289 image  

Shelby Cobra Dragonsnake 289s That Failed To Sell At Auction

1964 Shelby Cobra Dragonsnake 289's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High

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1964 Shelby Cobra Dragonsnake 289

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1964 Shelby Cobra Dragonsnake 289 Vehicle Profiles

1964 Shelby Cobra Dragonsnake 289 vehicle information
Roadster
Chassis #: CSX2427
1964 Shelby Cobra Dragonsnake 289 vehicle information
Roadster
Chassis #: CSX2357
1964 Shelby Cobra Dragonsnake 289 vehicle information
Roadster
Chassis #: CSX 2109