1963 Shelby Cobra 289 LeMans Coupe

This 1963 AC Shelby Cobra 289 with chassis number CSX 2142 is one of two Cobra Roadsters to race by the factory at the 1963 LeMans race. The sister car was a right-hand drive example. Both of the cars had semi-fastback alloy hardtops and this was the first car to be fitted with the hardtop, giving it greater aerodynamics and faster top speeds. This car was driven by Ed Hugus, Shelby's East Coast representative, who was aided by Peter Jopp with the driving duties. Stirling Moss managed the American Ford entry but engine trouble in the tenth hour meant it was forced to retire prematurely.

John Willment, a Ford dealer with a racing shop, acquired this car along with the sister car. Both cars were without engines. Willment fitted the cars with new engines, tested them at Brands Hatch, and entered them in the 1963 RAC Tourist Trophy at Goodwood. Both cars were unable to race due to unacceptable suspension parts and modified wheels. The following month, Bob Olthoff drove CSX 2142 at the Autosport 3 Hours at Snetterton race. It was then shipped to South Africa where it continued its racing career until late 1963.

The car was purchased by Ford of France. French racing driver Jo Schlesser was given driving duties at the Rallye de Picardie in May of 1964, finishing second overall. The car then entered in the Rallye de La Baule the following month, where it was driven to a third overall. The following week, the car competed in the Mont Ventoux Hill Climb where it finished first in class. In August, the car competed in the Mont Dore Hill Climb where it finished first in the GT class.

The car continued to race in 1965 by Schlesser. In June, the car sustained fire damage during practice. It was then sold to Jean Marie Vincent, still in a damaged state. Vincent used parts from CSX 2142 and 6010 to re-assemble his AC Cobra. The bodywork from 2141 was unable to be saved due to the fire damage.

The car was sold near the close of 1965, or early 1966, to Michel Gaudard. While in Gaudard's possession, the engine was damaged while in route to Paris. It would remain parked in an underground garage in a Parisian suburb for the next three years before it was sent to a scrap yard in Clamart. From there, it was purchased by Bernard Maitre in 1969 and later sold to Bernard Alter, who delivered it to Bernard Afchain. While in Afchain's care, the car was brought back to its 1963 LeMans specifications. The work was completed in 1983 or 1984. In 1990 it was sold to Bernard Merian, who kept the car for three months before selling it back to Afchain, who kept it until 1997 and sold it to Yvan Mahe. In 2003, the car returned to the United Kingdom and was treated to a restoration by Simon Hadfield.

In 2008, this Le Mans Cobra was brought to the 'Automobiles of Amelia Island' presented by RM Auctions. The car has an estimated value of $1,000,000 - $1,400,000. At the auction, the lot failed to sell after bidding reached $790,000.

By Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2009