1964 Shelby Cobra 289 Roadster

The AC Cars second generation Mark II cars were produced from 1963 to 1965. This example was a left-hand drive, Ford engine car designed for export. The cars carried the designation CSX and began with serial #2000 making this the 433rd produced. In early 1963 the steering rack was borrowed from MGB and the steering column from the VW Beetle. AC had already made the modifications for the small block V-8. The original color for this Roadster was Vineyard green wîth the interior being black.

This car was built by AC in May of 1964 and shipped to McAnary Ford in Gary, Indiana in August of 1964. By 1966, it had been purchased by Brooke Perkins, who modified it to competition specs. While in his care, it was raced at Lime Rock, Summit Point, Mid-Ohio, Watkins Glen, and other venues. In 1967, it won 1st in Class at the SCCA Nationals at Marlboro in Maryland.

By 1969, it was in the care of SCCA racer Daniel Schott off Oshkosh, Wisconsin. He raced the car at Elkhart Lake, the Michigan International, Atlanta, St. Louis, Mid-Ohio, and Brainerd, and several other venues.

Around 1973, it entered the care of Steve Mondloch of Kaukauna, Wisconsin. Mr. Mondloch restored CSX 2433, returning it to street trim. He owned the car until 1990, when it was sold to Jack Ruscilli of Columbus, Ohio. A short time later, it was purchased by Bill Jacobs of Joliet, Illinois before entering the care of the Blackhawk Collection in Danville, California. Bruce Canepa of Scotts Valley, California became the car's next owner in 2011. He had the car returned to its competition trim. The car was finished in deep blue with a black interior and given a full complement of gauges, a single hood roll bar, and Simpson racing belts. Its Traco-built 289 breathes through four Weber carburetors. Power transfers through a Ford T10 top loader transmission to a Dana 44 rear axle containing 4.27:1 gears.

The restored car was shown at the 2012 Amelia Island Concours where it was awarded Second in Class. It raced in 2012 at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at Laguna Seca.

By Daniel Vaughan | May 2016