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1964 Shelby Cobra 289

Carroll Shelby's reputation was built on the racetrack, but his legend was made by the cars bearing his own name. Both factory-supported drivers and privateers alike proved to be worthy adversaries against the industry's best sports cars of the era.

Carroll Shelby was a chicken farmer turned racing driver. Part of his charm emerged when he turned up to a race (nearly late) wearing his overalls. This would become part of his ensemble for many of the races that followed.

Shelby worked with both A.C. (Auto Carrier) Cars, Ltd. and the Ford Motor Car Company to create the legendary Cobra 289. The British automaker AC was established in 1908 and was originally makers of small delivery vehicles. They got into sports cars in the 1920s. After World War II, they introduced the Ace which made its debut in 1954. It was built by John Tojeiro and featured a tube frame and an all-independent suspension. From 1956, A.C.'s own engines were supplemented with outsourced units from Bristol and Ford of England.

AC Cars had been powering their vehicles with the Bristol straight-6 engine. They were given hand-built bodies around the steel tube frame, with aluminum body panels that were made using English wheeling machines. After Shelby received approval from AC Cars in September of 1961, he went looking for a suitable V8 engine. Chevrolet said no, but Ford said yes since they were seeking a car that could compete with the Corvette. Shelby received two engines from Ford.

The First Shelby AC car was chassis number CSX2000. The steering box in the AC was moved outward to allow room for the Ford small-block V8 engine. Additionally, a stronger rear differential was installed to cope with the increase in engine power. The E.N.V. units were replaced with Salisbury 4HU units with inboard disc brakes. The production versions had outboard, rather than inboard, brakes to reduce cost. Another modification for the production vehicles was the relocation of the fuel tank filler from the fender to the center of the trunk.

The first 75 Shelby Cobra MK1 models (which included the prototype) were powered by the 260 cubic-inch V8. The remaining 51 examples of the MK1 were given the larger version of the Windsor Ford engine (289 CID V8).

The first competition Cobra contested the Los Angeles Times Grand Prix but retired early due to a broken hub. However, the time spent traversing the track had proven that it was a worthy competitor to the Chevy Corvette. Over the years that followed, it would become one of the greatest and most iconic classic sports cars of all time.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster
Chassis number: CSX2367

In 1903, Weller, a British company, began producing cars. Their first successful model was a three-wheeled delivery vehicle named the Auto Carrier. Soon, the company became Auto Carrier, Ltd. and eventually AC Cars Group, Ltd.

AC introduced the Ace model in 1953 as a two-seat sports coupe. It was powered by a Bristol engine until 1961 when they began using six-cylinder Ford engines. Along came Carroll Shelby, who in 1962 reached an agreement to use a Ford 260 cubic-inch V8 in the Ace model. This car became the Cobra. The result was the Corvette beater that Shelby so badly desired. Ford's HiPo 289 cubic-inch V-8 became the new power plant in 1964.

The chassis code of CSX denoted export Cobra while the last four numbers indicated the production sequence beginning at 2,000, meaning this is the 367th unit built. This vehicle was originally painted blue, but due to a special order, Shelby American repainted it in metallic green also known as Lincoln's Highland Green. It was driven every day until 1978, then parked for 20 years and restored in 2000-2002.

CSX 2367 was originally sold by Gotham Ford in New York City. Gotham, formerly known as Manhattan Ford, was actually owned by the Ford Motor Company. They were a very aggressive Ford Performance and Shelby dealer that was ranked number one in Shelby sales from 1965-1970. Their extensive advertising campaign often referred to their on-hand inventory of Shelby models, including Cobras and GT40s.

Powered by the 289 cubic inch V8 engine, it was authentically refurbished using all of its original components to as-delivered condition. This car is a national award winner and to date, the only Cobra to earn the Shelby American Automobile Club Premiere Award for authenticity and condition. It is also believed to be the only 289 Cobra painted green at the Shelby American facility.

The current owners of this Cobra enjoy driving it on a regular basis. Being a 'late' production 1964, it also features Ford and Autolite electronics, wider wheels and flow-thru ventilation.

Roadster

Carroll Shelby made 435 AC Cobras with the 289 cubic-inch Ford high performance engine. This car is one of two that were equipped at the factory with an optional aluminum high-rise intake manifold with a 715 CFM Holley Carburetor.

The car is displayed in its original color combination, and was featured on the cover of the September 2007 Classic Motorsports magazine.

Roadster
Chassis number: CSX2414

A.C. Cars of Thames Ditton in Surrey, England, had been producing the Ace since 1954. Designed by John Tojeiro, it featured independent suspension and a tubular frame body, which took its styling cues from Ferrari. When Carroll Shelby approached the company and suggested the Ford V8 as a power plant in 1959 little did he known that a legend was soon to be born. Throughout its life this original and unrestored Mark II Cobra (chassis CSX2414) with 289 cubic-inch, 4.7-liter V8 has covered only 10,000 miles.

Roadster
Chassis number: CSX2290

This 1964 Shelby American factory-prepared Competition Cobra, CSX2290, was originally purchased by John Hilton (of the Hilton Hotels) in street configuration at a purchase price of $5,584.05. Shortly after being purchased, Mr. Hilton returned CSX2290 to the Shelby factory for conversion by the factory to racing specifications at an additional cost of $5,478.47. CSX2290 was then raced in USRRC, FIA and SCCA events. Driven by Charlie Parsons and Monte Shelton, the car placed first overall and first in 'A' Production numerous times.

The legacy of the Anglo-American hybrid sports cars can trace their roots back to the introduction of Ford's original 'flathead' V-8 of 1932. This new powerplant provided an infusion of relatively inexpensive and easily upgraded power to the elegant British sportsters of that era. The list includes Jensen, Brough Superior, Railton, Batten, and many others. In the post-War era period, Sydney Allard took the concept even further, and his various models were very effective and competitive wherever they raced.

Carroll Shelby's 1962 Cobra roadster was the pinnacle of this concept. Using the knowledge he gained during his career racing, he knew what worked and what didn't. At the time, Shelby was 37 and his career in racing was coming to a close. He had won the 24 Hours of LeMans race for Aston Martin in 1959, and by the early 1960s had become the Goodyear Racing tire distributor for the western USA and started his own racing school at Riverside Raceway in California.

Shelby initially considered installed a V-8 into the Austin-Healey 3000, but Donald Healey was not interested; Mr. Healey was doing fine with his BMC factory deal. Shelby's Scaglietti Corvette project of 1959 begat three cars, but Chevrolet was loathe to support a Corvette challenger and Scaglietti was not willing to anger its main client, Ferrari.

Shelby was able to find a supporter at AC Cars, of Thames Ditton in Surrey. The company's John Tojeiro-designed Ace roadster had been a competitive racer for several years, but the outdated BMW two-liter, six-cylinder was in need of modernization. Bristol Cars had been making the engine under license, but their line of coupes had grown in size, and the engine had been stretched to its limit. Bristol made the decision to abandon the old six and use a 331 cubic-inch Chrysler V-8, which meant AC would be left without a motor.

The Hurlock brothers, who owned AC, were working with tuner Ken Rudd to extract every ounce of power from the 2.6-liter English Ford Zephyr OHV six-cylinder motor. The result was 170 horsepower but it was done at a cost, highlighting the weakness of the engine's bottom end, leading to 'light bulb' motors, which burned brightly but not for long.

Shelby wanted to use a small-block Chevrolet V-8, but GM was protective of its Corvette franchise. Instead, Ray Brock told Shelby about a new, lightweight Ford V-8 engine. The powerplant had 221 cubic-inches and thin-wall construction which meant it weighed only slightly more than the outgoing Bristol. Ford engineer Dave Evans offered Shelby a couple of 260 cubic-inch high performance variants, designed for the Falcon Sprint, completely winning over Shelby. Shelby flew to England on February 1st of 1962 to test drive his new Cobra.

The new cars were completed in Shelby's California factory, and most were taken directly to the race track. The first 75 cars were powered by the 260 cubic-inch motor, which was quickly enlarged to 289 cubic-inches. In racing guise, the engine offered 385 horsepower in a vehicle that weighed just 2,000 pounds - or about 500 less than the Corvette. On February 2nd of 1963, Dave MacDonald outpaced a field of Corvettes, Jaguars, Porches, and Maseratis with a Shelby Cobra. Every red-blooded sports car aficionado in the USA was now in search of the Shelby Cobra.

One purchaser of a Cobra was J. Randy Hilton, of Carmel, California. He was an active privateer racing-team owner in America's top-level SCCA racing classes during the 1960s. He purchased CSX2290 which was originally built as a 'street' 289 Cobra and equipped with the Class 'A' option package, including white sidewall tires, a luggage rack, five chrome wheels, and anti-freeze. The car was billed to Shelby American on January 24, 1963 and on February 5, it was shipped to Los Angeles, California on the SS Diemerdyk. Though Mr. Hilton purchased the Cobra via Monterey, California's Leslie Motors, he elected to pick it up directly from the Shelby American facilities at Riverside instead.

Shortly after taking possession of CSX2290, Mr. Hilton returned the Cobra to Shelby American for conversion into an all-out SCCA A-Production racing car. Upon completion, the Cobra was re-invoiced to Mr. Hilton on June 4th of 1964 for an additional $5,478.47 over the original cost of the car. The conversion work included a 289 Cobra racing engine, numbered D 103, a complete 4.09:1 differential assembly, 6.5-inch front and 8.5-inch rear FIA-type Halibrand six-spoke wheels, two front and two rear sway bars, a small racing windscreen, and four sets of front and rear brake pads. Finished in red with white racing stripes, the Cobra was further modified with rounded front and rear fender flares, brake-cooling scoops, a hood scoop, a roll bar, and side-exit exhaust pipes.

CSX2290 is listed in the latest Shelby American Registry as a 'full specification competition model' and is one of only 12 factory-prepared Cobras that were shipped to independent racers outside of the factory team.

CSX2290 was driven in SCCA A-Production races during the 1964 season by Charlie 'Chuck' Parsons. His success in the 1964 season earned him an invite to the ARRC Run-Offs.

Monte Shelton became the cars next owner in March of 1965. Mr. Shelton drove the car in multiple competitive events, including a A-Production Class victory and First Overall at the Portland, Oregon SCCA Nationals in August of 1965. In September and November, a third-place podium and a first in A-Production were earned, respectively, at the Vaca Valley SCCA national events. After the 1965 racing season, the Cobra was advertised for sale and subsequently purchased by David Phelan, who raced the car through 1966 and also earned an invite to the ARRC Run-Offs. California's Dan Harper acquired the car after it had been repainted Guardsman Blue, and three more owners followed until February 1988, when the next owner, Chicago's Tom Snelback, bought CSX 2290. Mr. Snelback commissioned a restoration which was completed in 1991. The work included bringing the car back to its circa 1964 livery and specifications, as it was raced by Chuck Parsons for Randy Hilton.

The Cobra was displayed at the Shelby Reunion during the 1997 Monterey Historics. It was featured in print in the December 1997 edition of Motor Trend. In 2001, the car joined the collection of Ross Meyers, of Worcester, PA, who competed with it in the 2003 Monterey Historics and showed it in 2005 at New York's Saratoga Automobile Museum, where it formed part of the 'Ford Connection' display. It was also depicted in The Shelby American (Number 74, page 57).

Two more owners would care for the car before coming into the care of its current owner. The latest owner has used the car in many historic racing events.

In 2012, the car was offered for sale at RM Auction's Monterey, CA sale. The car was estimated to sell for $1,200,000 - $1,400,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $1,320,000, inclusive of buyer's premium.

Roadster
Chassis number: CSX 2558

This is the 16th of the 16 'Cutback' door, 289 cubic-inch USRRC & FIA race cars. Note the fender flairs and larger rear fenders to accommodate larger tires. The car has the original 289 competition engine with four-Weber carburetors generating 400 horsepower.

Team USRRC car was driven by Tom Payne to several 1st place finishes.

Roadster
Chassis number: CSX 2473

This 1964 Shelby Cobra 'B' Production Racing car is the 'winningest' Cobra in History. It was invoiced to Shelby America on 6/10/1964 and carried the chassis number CSX 2473. It was sent to Los Angeles on the SS American Princess on June 23rd. Its first owner was a Shelby employee named James Findley who purchased the car for $3,778. In 1965 he had the car painted black with white Le Mans stripes. He added 6.5-inch and 8.5-inch Halibrands, flared fenders, side pipes, quick-life jacks, a hood scoop, and a roll-bar.

With a little more preparation the vehicle was ready for competition in 1966. It was raced in 1966 and 1967 competitions, such as hill climbs, SCCA AutoCross trials, and road racing events. The car and driver were now ready for Regional and National 'B' Production racing.

During the 1967 and 1968 seasons, the car was driven by Don Roberts and scored 25 'BP' 1st place finishes, including 14 first overalls. It wore number 89 and was sponsored by Watkins Ford of Scottsdale, Arizona. After winning the SCCA 'B' Production title the car was invited to compete in the ARRC (American Road Race of Champions) where it took first place. This meant that the car and driver were the fastest in the Nation.

At the conclusion of the 1968 season, the car was sold to Bob Rodgers of San Francisco. He went on to qualify for the ARRC in 1969 and 1970. CSX 2473 was re-purchased by Don Roberts in 1972 and continued to race the vehicle. He returned to the SCCA run-offs after winning his Nationals. While traveling in first place, he spun out. After some vicious struggle, he was able to work his way back into second place.

The Cobra was again sold to ted Laverack of Salem, Oregon. It was sold to Larry Less of California in 1979. Later, Roberts bought it back, this being his third time. He and his partner, Jere Clark and Dave Walters, entered the vehicle in vintage competition.

At the 2006 RM Auction in Monterey, Ca the Cobra was estimated to sell between $950,000-$1,250,000. At the conclusion of the bidding, the vehicle was sold for $1,237,500.

It is estimated that CSX 2473 won more than 30 National, Regional and Hillclimb races sanctioned by the SCCA.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster
Chassis number: CSX2541

This A.C. Shelby Cobra with a 289 Cubic-inch V8 engine was completed by Shelby American in October of 1964. It was painted in white with red interior which it still wears today. Holman & Moody transported CSX2541 to Lynch-Davidson Ford in Jacksonville, Florida. It was then delivered to its new owner, Joe LaRose. He retained the car until his death in 1999.

The car was a daily driver and never raced, abused or modified. It still retains the Hi-Po 289 engine, 4-speed transmission, Autolite carburetor and cast iron intake manifold. It has rack-and-pinion steering, Stewart Warner gauges, six-inch wire wheels, side vents, and Ford electrics.

Mark Winkleman became the car's next caregiver who gave it a cosmetic restoration.

In 2007 the car was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company auction held in Pebble Beach, California where it was estimated to sell for $550,000 - $650,000. Those estimates proved accurate as the lot was sold for $577,500 including buyer's premium.

The A.C. Cobra cars are among the most memorable and recognizable cars in history. Their original designs can be traced back to the Touring-bodied Barchetta's that clothed Ferrari's 166 and 225 Spyders. That body style would become highly duplicated throughout the years, with the first being the one-off Cooper-MG raced by automobile dealer Cliff David. John Tojiero had conceived the ladder frame with independent leaf-spring suspension and Eric Hall and Bill Rich had clothed the car in the Barchetta-style body.

The one-off was successful in racing, and Davis urged Tojiero to mass-produce the cars. Instead, Tojiero licensed the design to the Hurlock family of A.C. in Thames Dutton. Soon, the two-liter, six-cylinder versions bearing A.C. badges were in production. Dubbed the A.C. Ace, they were an immediate success. A few years later, a Bristol engine became available which improved the vehicle's performance.

In the early 1960s, Bristol announced it would discontinue its engine. A Chevrolet V8 unit served as a replacement, and later a 2.6-liter Ford six provided ample power to excite drivers and on-lookers. A long-term solution was found when Texan-based Carroll Shelby dropped a lightweight Ford V8 engine into the engine bay and took it racing. The 260 cid, then 289 cid, and finally the 427 version made the Cobra legendary.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster

This 289 Cobra, Known affectionately as the 'dirt-bag,' was bought by Fred Offenhauser, of the engine-making family, in 1967. He never used the car much and it was put away under a tarpaulin in 1975 with just 33,000 miles on the clock. It stayed hidden and un-loved until 1999 when it was acquired by Cobra aficionado Lynn Park. After some heavy-duty cleaning and engine fettling, the Cobra was rescued. It remains in unrestored condition. The AC Cobra was the brainchild of Carroll Shelby, and this Mark III model has the 4.7-liter Ford V8 in the modified AC Ace built in Thames Ditton, England, and finished in the Shelby workshop in Los Angeles. Over 1,000 Cobras were built by Shelby between 1962 and 1965.

Roadster
Chassis number: CSX2171

Ex-racer Carroll Shelby created the legendary Cobra in 1962 by installing Ford's lightweight V-8 engine in a slightly lengthened nose of the AC Ace. AC's Thames-Ditton facility shipped the body and chassis to California, where Shelby American dropped the engine and completed assembly. The first 75 production models used a 260 cubic-inch V8, while later models, like this car, used a 289 CID, 306 horsepower V-8. Beginning in 1965, the engine was upsized again to the Ford 427 CID V8. A total of 654 units were produced from 1962 through 1968, of which 453 feature the 289. Today Cobras are one of the most collectible of all postwar American cars.

This AC Cobra 289 was billed to Shelby American on August 28, 1963, and left the United Kingdom bound for the United States on September 12, 1963, aboard the SS Dongedyk. Chassis 2171 was billed to Marion Willey & Son Ford of Bountiful, Utah, on November 15, 1963, with all Class 'A' accessories, including a luggage rack and WSW tires. It was purchased new by E.U. Jacobs of Utah and remained in his possession until August of 1969 when it was sold to Dr. Brent Christiansen of Salt Lake City. He drove the car sparingly until the late 1970s when he decided to take it off the road. Tired of people trying to buy the car from him every time the garage door was left open, Christiansen enclosed the car behind a wall under a suspended Model A Ford in his garage. It remained behind the wall until early 2007 when it was pulled from the garage by Christiansen's son and sold to the current owner.

Roadster
Chassis number: CSX 2289

This 1964 AC Cobra 289 has the chassis number CSX 2289. The C is for the AC Ace Mark III, the S stands for Shelby and the X for export, left-hand drive. This car was imported into the United States by Carroll Shelby and used as a demonstrator and PR car. It was sold in 1965 to its second owner, who in turn sold it in the early 1970s. It was then stored away in a shed in Santa Maria, California, where it rested for 33 years unit its current owner acquired it and rejuvenated it.

Roadster
Chassis number: CSX2384

CSX2384 was purchased new by Raymond T. Fagg, Sr. from Andy Clark Ford in Bluefield, WV, where Mr. Fagg worked as a technician. It was delivered with the optional hardtop, radio, luggage rack and painted wheels. He used the car some in the first years that he owned it, and then put it in storage and driving it occasionally. Mr. Fagg, Sr. gave the car to his son, Raymond, before he passed away only a couple of years ago. Ray, Jr. kept the car in a heated garage inside an inflated plastic bubble. In 2011, after a year of discussion, he finally agreed to let the car leave the family and Bluefield for the first time since 1964. The Cobra had only been driven 9,075 miles.

CSX2384 still has its original options, including the complete original tool kit, Shelley jack, jack handles, grease gun, etc. The car is complete with its original components as when it left the Shelby Princeton Avenue facility, including the original Princeton Avenue key fob.

All that has been done recently are items normally needed to bring the car back to original and safe running order - a little cleaning, tuning and replaced a nut-and-bolt here and there. Even though it did not come this way, the decision was left to leave the modified exhaust the way Mr. Fagg liked it in the sixties.

Roadster
Chassis number: CSX2472

A Shelby American work order assigned CSX2472 as 'Cobra Team Race Car #2472' but the car was not completed and went into storage. In the spring of 1965 Ed Hugus of Continental Cars, Pittsburgh, PA requested completion to modified Stage II Dragonsnake specification. Hugus was not happy with the finished car and 'negotiations' took place to resolve the issues, among which was the need of a complete re-paint. First used as a street car, then race car, and after various sales, it found its way into the caring hands of its current owner.

Roadster
Chassis number: CSX2398

From 1962 through 1965, around 580 Cobra 289s were assembled in the United States. The bodies were built by the AC factory in the United Kingdom before being shipped to Shelby American's Southern California factory. In its first competition outings, the car proved to be durable, quick, and extremely capable. The Cobras - in 260, 289 and 427 versions - went on to achieve tremendous racing success. Many Cobras were never raced and this example, CSX2398, is one such car.

Roadster
Chassis number: CSX2345

This Cobra, chassis number CSX2345, was the last of the original five 289 roadsters built specifically for competition in the 1964 and 1965 FIA Manufacturers Championship. It was the only one of the five to race that season, and it is the only one of the five to race that season, and it is the only FIA Cobra to have survived completely intact. It has six first-place FIA wins to its credit. With the Cobra Daytona coupes, it won the World Manufacturers Championship for America in 1965. It has been driven by Phil Hill, Bob Bondurant, Roy Salvadori, Sir John Whitmore and Jochen Neerpasch.

Roadster
Chassis number: CSX2381

CSX2381 was originally invoiced by Shelby American to the Lynch Davidson Ford dealership of Jacksonville, Florida on August 16, 1964. The retail list price for this car was a surprising $5,914.55.

The car remains in its original color combination of silver with a red leather interior. It has its original drive train, including the optional dual four-barrel carburetors.

Roadster
Chassis number: CSX 2497

CSX 2497 is a factory documented Stage I Cobra with full competition engine. It left the factory finished in red with a black interior. It was billed to Shelby American 6-25-64 and shipped to (L.A.) aboard the 'SS Loch Avon' and invoiced on 9-14-64 to Pete Oatesse Motors (Erie P.A.). The car was shipped to PA via T.W.A. air freight. Oatess Motors apparently lost the buyer for whom the car was ordered. CSX 2497 was returned to Shelby American minus the air freight charges.

On 6-21-65 Herb Tousley Ford (white Bear Lake MN) ordered a 289 Stage I Cobra. CSX 2497 was chosen to fill the request. Work order 13283 was signed by Jim Benavides 7/28/65. Install full competition R Model Engine, with single high riser 715 C.F.M. carburetor, Cobra scatter shield, chrome roll bar, oil cooler, Ray Dot racing mirror, American Mag Wheels, with 7.75 x 15 High Performance Blue Dot tires, radio, and Group A accessories. CSX 2497 has participated in 1 or 2 Cobra tours per year.

Roadster
Chassis number: CSX 2431

CSX2431 was raced exclusively by Ken Miles for the 1964 and 1965 Pensacola USRRC season. The car was a development car for the 1964-65 Cobra team cars including the Daytona Coupes. Constant testing, development, and modifying of the car continued into the 1965 season. Work included helm joint a-arms, sway bars, and 289 Weber manifold setup. The car was always driven with the BRDC (British Racing Drivers Club) crest on the center of each door.

Roadster
Chassis number: CSX2326

This Shelby Cobra, chassis number CSX2326, was purchased by the current owner in 1976, then sold in 1978. It was re-purchased in 1981. In 1992, it was converted to vintage racing trim and FIA-style rear fenders were installed.

The car is powered by a Ford 306 cubic-inch engine fitted with a single Holley 4-barrel carburetor. The transmission is a Super T-10 unit.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster
Chassis number: CSX2223

It all began quietly enough. Back in 1903, Weller of Britain began building utilitarian three-wheeled delivery vehicles with little fanfare. Soon they became Auto Carrier, Ltd. and eventually AC Cars Group, Ltd. One thing led to another and in 1953 AC introduced the Ace as a two seat sports coupe.

Carroll Shelby was a driver before he was a car builder: talented, successful, winning on the world's elite circuits. Driving Allards brought fame; hot-shoeing Aston Martins brought the glory; winning the 24 Hours of Lemans in 1959. Though poor health ended his driving, Carroll aspired to build his own car anyway; one that would, 'outrun Corvettes and Ferraris.' And he did. With an AC chassis and Ford V8, the AC Cobra was born. The CSX2223 code reveals this as the 223rd Cord created. The original owner was an Ohio doctor and SCCA racer who owned the car for 47 years. Many of its miles were accumulated traveling to his beloved Mid-Ohio where he was also the track medic.

When the current owner bought it from 16 years of storage, rather than restore it he chose to keep it untouched and original. It still has the original spare tire, side curtains, tonneau and tool kit. The doctor had also fabricated a trunk shelf for his medical supplies. They were still there when it was removed from storage. Today this remains one of the few Cobras that is unrestored.

Roadster
Chassis number: CSX2219

This Cobra 289 was first delivered painted red, with black interior with Class A accessories installed, namely aluminum rocker covers, WSW tires and a luggage rack via 'air collect' in Dallas, Texas to Kenray Ford's customer. Reportedly it was raced in SCCA events through the 1960s, painted blue and sold in 1970 to Pennsylvania. Its body was then modified with flares, chrome side pipes, and more, re-painted white with a copper stripe and a Chevrolet Corvette 427 L88 motor installed with side vent badging to match. In 2007 restoration brought the car back to its original shape and specification.

Roadster
Chassis number: CSX2430

Tom Payne placed an order for a red Shelby Cobra that was approved on June 18th of 1964 by Jacques Passino, vice president of Ford Motor Company Special Vehicle Division. That June, Shelby American Inc. (SAI) began to build CSX2430 into a factory-specification competition car. The modifications mirrored those of the team cars and included a hood scoop, a chrome roll bar, 6.5-inch Halibrand front wheels, 8.5-inch Halibrand rear wheels, flared fenders, modified wheel wells, Koni shock absorbers, front and rear sway bars, front and rear competition brakes with coil-air scoops, quick jack points, side pipes, dual long range fuel tanks, 3.5-inch Monza snap-open fuel cap, a racing seat, a Sun tachometer, a fuel pressure gauge (in place of a clock), a differential cooler and engine oil cooler, an electric Stewart Warner fuel pump, a cross-mounted aluminum Harrison header tank, and a full race-spec 289 with Webers, 12:1 compression, and a 9-quart oil pan.

On July 30th of 1964, the car was flown to Detroit for delivery. The Competition Roadster was billed to the Ford Motor Company for $9,250 plus delivery. It remained the property of Ford and was subsequently run as an SAI factory-sponsored car. Upon delivery to Payne, the new Cobra was put to immediate use and saw its first outing just two days later. Sadly, the car failed to finish that weekend at the Lynndale Farms SCCA Divisional.

The following weekend, the car took 3rd in the manufacturers' class at Meadowdale. This result was repeated at the USRRC event at Mid-Ohio on August 30th. Nearly a month later, Payne raced it at the Greenwood SCCA Divisional, taking home 1st in A Production.

During the 1964 Speed Week in the Bahamas, Payne raced the car as part of the SAI team. Payne finished 5th overall and 2nd in GT in the Tourist Trophy Race. He finished 9th overall in the Governor's Trophy Race; and finally, in the Trophy race, he finished 25th overall and 1st in their respective GT grouping.

The first race for the car during the 1965 season was at Mont Tremblant where Payne won 1st in GT. The following month, SAI team drivers Dan Gerber and Tom Yeager ran the Cobra at the USRRC Road America 500 earning 33rd overall and 5th in GT. At the Canadian Grand Prix at Mosport, Payne finished 11th overall. At Mont Tremblant, he finished 7th overall. From there, it raced at Nassau, where Bob Grossman drove the Cobra to 5th overall and 1st in GT in that year's Trophy race.

In 1966, Ford sold the Competition Cobra to John 'Scotty' Addison who raced the car that season in SCCA competition before selling it. For the 1967 season, Dan Schlames was the new owner and had it painted yellow. It was also fitted with a full-width roll-bar in red to match the now red side pipes. The car was raced in several local Michigan SCCA events. It would remain in Mr. Schlames care for over a decade before it was offered for sale. Around 1980 it was purchased by Ken Eber of Armonk, New York. It remained in Mr. Eber's care for two years before it was sold to Rick Nagel of Dallas for the sum of $70,000. Mr. Nagel returned the car to its original red appearance and raced the car with some success. In 1984, at the Texas vintage Challenge, he drove the car to an overall victory. Later that year, Carroll Shelby was given the Competition Roadster to drive at the Texas Can-Am Challenge, potentially marking the last time Shelby drove a race car in competition. It set a lap record at the vintage races in Kansas City and achieved three more wins at regional SCCA races in 1984 and 1985.

In 1985, Steven Volk purchased the car. Volk commissioned Bill Murray of Longmount, Colorado, to restore the Tom Payne Cobra. During the work, the car was finished with the intent that it could be vintage raced if desired. It was given a five-point harness, a more modern fuel delivery system, a fuel cell, an updated exhaust system, and adjustable A-arms. Upon completion of the work, the car was put on display at the Shelby American Collection where it stayed until 2010 when it was acquired by the current owner. Since that time it has seen limited use and has been properly maintained.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster
Chassis number: CSX2436

Shelby's 289 Cobra remains a highly sought automobile for collectors and investors. The fire-breathing 427 MkIII was on the way. The 289 was drawing to an end. Only a few more would be produced by 1964. Each was special, pieces of automotive history to hold onto. As a result, no stone or barn could be left untouched. Otherwise, one of these priceless pieces of Shelby history could be missed.

Documented as CSX 2436, this particular Cobra would be completed in May of 1964 and would be adorned with a Rouge Iris finish and beige upholstery. Embarking on its first journey aboard SS Diemerdyk, the car would soon arrive in Greenwich, Connecticut and would soon be delivered to Town & Country Motors, Inc.

Little expense would be spared for CSX 2436. Besides being air freighted to Connecticut aboard a TWA aircraft, the Cobra would come with some of the best features there were. This would include WSW tires, a radio, luggage rack and even antifreeze. All told, the sum would total nearly $6,000.

Timothy Crowley was the reason why the Shelby was on its first epic trip. After taking delivery of the car, Crowley would keep the Shelby in his possession for more than a couple of years. Then, the car would pass to James Wallerstein, who happened to live in White Plains, New York. Wallerstein would have the car for only a short period of time before it moved on to Vintage Car Store and Ed Jurist. Based in Nyack, New York, Jurist's Vintage Car Store would take delivery of the Cobra in July of 1971 and would quickly turn around and resell the car to Peter DeSilva of Massachusetts.

By this point in time, CSX 2436 would no longer bare its Rouge Iris finish. Instead, the car would be finished in black. But this would not be the end of the changes from the original. Other changes would include painted wire wheels and a Raydyot rearview mirror. Having accumulated some 30,000 since new, the 289 Cobra was again about to change hands.

Traded to Sy Allen, the car would make its way to Vermont. It would be at this point in time that if one wanted to find CSX 2436 he or she needed to be careful to turn over every stone, or, look in every possible barn.

Allen was not interested in parting with the Cobra. Instead, the car would be placed on jacks and hidden away in DeSilva's barn and workshop for some 40 years.

Rediscovered decades later, CSX 2436 was a virtual time capsule baring to the onlookers its beginnings and what it became. Stored away as it was some 40 years ago, the 289 Cobra remains highly original; even its Rouge Iris finish makes appearances here and there where the black paint has flaked off.

In spite of its need for restoration, the car could not have gifted its next owner any more after 40 years and 34,000 miles. Many restorers of Cobras would do just about anything to get their hands on the original parts that remain on this barn find making 2436 a possible gem within the Cobra family.

Offered as part of Gooding & Company's Arizona auction in 2015, CSX 2436 would draw pre-auction estimates from between $1,000,000 and $1,400,000. It was clear the potential the existed behind the chipped and dust-covered paint.

When the bidding came to an end, the 1964 Shelby 289 Cobra earned a sale price of a very respectable $979,000.

by Jeremy McMullen

Roadster
Chassis number: CSX-2512

The history of this car is part of the Cobra legend. It was invoiced to Shelby American on July 21, 1964 and shipped to LA on July 39th. Shelby then sold the car to Hi-Performance Motors, Inc. in Los Angeles. The car was delivered in silver with a black interior and 'Class A' accessories including chrome wire wheels and an outside mirror. In the late 1960's, the car was involved in criminal activity. It was impounded and essentially forgotten for a decade. It was disposed of at a police auction in the late 1970's to a local speed shop owner. He refurbished and repainted the car but sold it out of fear that the convict owner would someday come after his Cobra. The car was sold to Pete Smith of Bob Smith Porsche in Hollywood. Smith sold the car to Don Orosco in 1992. Orosco had the car restored and retained the black finish. The engine and all mechanical components were inspected and rebuilt as necessary. The Halibrand 'knock-off' wheels and side pipes were added at this point. The current owner purchased the car in 2008.

Roadster
Chassis number: CSX 2433

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 Dan Vaughan

Roadster

It began quietly enough. It often does. In 1903, Weller of Britain began building utilitarian three-wheeled delivery vehicles with little fanfare. Soon they became Auto Carrier, Ltd. and eventually AC Cars Group. Just another unheralded manufacturer making the wheels of commerce go around. The story could have ended there, however, one thing led to another and in 1953 AC introduced the Ace as a snappy two-seat sports car.

Meanwhile, Carroll Shelby was making a name for himself. He was a driver before he was a car builder; talented and successful; a winner of the world's elite circuits and biggest stages. Driving Allards in Argentina brought fame and hot-shoeing Aston Martins brought glory as the 1959 24 Hours of LeMans winner. But poor health ended his driving career and he became a builder, boldly stating he wanted a car that would 'outrun Corvettes and Ferraris'.

Shelby approached Ford looking for engines, saying he had a chassis, which he didn't....just some drawings and a dream. Soon he'd stuffed a snarling Ford V8 under the bonnet of a sleek AC roadster chassis and the Shelby Cobra was born. Early Cobras used Ford's new thing-wall cast 260 CID V8, later growing into HiPo 289's. They immediately began winning and the Cobra legend was born.

After besting Shelby's team drivers, Bob Johnson became a Shelby American factory pilot. He raced this Cobra 13 times in 1964, winning nine and always finishing on the podium. He won the 1964 SCCA National Championship in this car.

Roadster

This Cobra is the first of the second series of original LeMans replica Cobra race cars that was built specifically to compete as a Sports Car Club of America race car in late 1963.

Special features include the 37 gallon fuel tank, which protrudes into the trunk area, allowing extended racing and a high revving 289 cubic-inch V8 engine. It is one of six LeMans cars that feature the short deck-lid, larger side vents, spats behind the front wheels and Halibrand magnesium wheels measuring 6.5-inches wide in the front and 7.5-inches in the rear. It also features the low profile race windscreen.

Since Ford and Shelby relied on selling street cars, it is believed that this is one of the first Cobra's built specifically to support the company's race efforts. True factory race cars are indeed a rarity. Many were used and abused and with the escalating value of Cobras over the years, some were converted for street use. Still others were modified for various reasons, often losing the most important elements of their past history.

This car was originally sold by Shelby as a new purpose built race car. Back then, nearly all of the Shelby Cobra's were street cars and the factory race cars were generally sold after being well used.

Roadster
Chassis number: CSX2328
Engine number: PA4539

This Shelby Cobra 289 is finished in original red paint, has correctly painted wire wheels, and appropriate white sidewall tires. The car was purchased by Mr. Dodge Olmstead purchased CSX2328 on October 29th, 1964 from Cherner Motor Company in Washington, DC. The car was well-optioned with white sidewall tires, a luggage rack, wind wings, seatbelts, a radio, and an external rearview mirror, totaling $5791.75. Mr. Olmstead kept his red Cobra for about 2 years before trading it in February of 1966 towards a 427 Cobra, CSX3173, through Archway Motors in Baltimore, Maryland.

The car's second owner was Army Lieutenant Robert Whittacker. He brought the car to Florida and painted it metallic green before 1972 when it was acquired by Michigander Mr. Ray Angus, who had the car repainted silver. The next owner was Mr. Bill Kemper who acquired it in the spring of 1974 and returned it to its original red paintwork.

Over the next decade, the car passed through several collections before finding long-term ownership in 1986, when it was acquired by Mr. Seymour Levin. He retained the car in his collection in Pennsylvania for 24 years, before parting with it in 2010. That year, the car received a mechanical refresh before being sold.

The current owner has treated the car to a restoration to its original condition. The original aluminum bodywork was returned to bare metal and repainted in the original red over a new black interior. Seatbelts were installed. Other interior features include the unrestored steering wheel and Stewart Warner gauges.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster
Chassis number: CSX 2344

This Cobra was originally delivered to Warren Wooten Ford of Cocoa, Florida, finished in Princess Blue over black leather interior. Its original owner was Robert Lindauer Sr. who acquired it on July 24th of 1964. He traded in a 1963 Corvette convertible for the Cobra. The car remained with Lindauer for a few months and during that time it was driven over four thousand miles.

In July of 1965, it was advertised for sale in Car & Driver and once more in 1969. He later decided not to part with the car, and it would remain in Cocoa Beach, Florida. Lindauer occasionally drove the car in gymkhana events in Florida.

In July of 1970, the car was involved in a road accident where it sustained some cosmetic damage and was repaired with parts sourced from Shelby directly.

The Cobra was placed into storage in 1974, resting on jack stands in a climate-controlled garage. After Mr. Lindauer's passing in March of 2001, the Cobra was trailered from Florida to North Carolina, where his son resides. When the car arrived, it was put onto jack stands in a climate-controlled storage unit.

In 2010, the car was brought to Charlotte, where it was entrusted to Lee Holman of Holman-Moody fame, who brought the car back to running condition.

This car retains its original engine, transmission, carpeting, convertible top, tonneau cover, top irons, seat belts, owner's manual, jack, grease gun, original spare tire, original intake manifold, carburetor, water pump, fuel pump, fan belt, original keys, and upholstery. It also has its original tool kit.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster
Chassis number: CSX 2377

CSX 2377 was billed by AC Cars to Shelby American on 3/24/1964 and was shipped aboard the SS Loch Gowan to Los Angeles where it was fitted with Ford power and began life as a Shelby Cobra. On 6/12/64 it was invoiced to a West Los Angeles dealer with a hefty price tag of $5,551.25.

It was purchased by the current owner in August 1983 and was driven occasionally and enjoyed until 2015 when it began to show the results of 50 years. A full restoration was completed by a respected Cobra restorer. The 289 V8 engine producing 306 horsepower was fully restored. No detail was overlooked during restoration.

Roadster
Chassis number: CSX2271
Engine number: 3161

On January 2, 1964, AC Cars Ltd. shipped this Cobra aboard the SS Dongedyk to Shelby American Inc. in Los Angeles. Its transformation began upon its arrival at Shelby's new workshop at the Los Angeles International Airport. The partially assembled AC sports car was made into the proper 289 Cobra. This example was originally equipped with late-production features that included the rack-and-pinion steering, American-made Stewart Warner instruments, and a Ford electrical system. It was finished in the uncommon color scheme of silver with a red leather interior. Class A accessories included white sidewall tires, chrome wheels, a luggage rack, a rearview mirror, and a radio with an antenna.

On March 27th of 1964, the car was invoiced to Service Motors Inc. in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, for a total price of $5,603.75 (including freight). It was then delivered to Wisconsin and sold to its first owner, Carl Kiekhaefer. Mr. Kiekhafer later had Service Motors order a personalized dash plaque from Shelby, and he then brought the car to Florida, where he maintained a winter home. It remained in Mr. Kiekhafer's care until May of 1966, when it was sold, having just 1,800 miles on its odometer. The new owner was Mike Gallagher, a resident of Green Bay, Wisconsin. Mr. Gallagher retained the car until 1990. During that time, it remained in its original condition, with the exception of a repaint in white carried out in 1986. In 1990, it entered the ownership of Bruce Larson who kept it until 1992, when it was sold to Barry Smith of Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Smith commissioned a professional restoration in 2003, which included having the aluminum body restored and refinished in the original silver.

Around 2008, the car was acquired by Richard Haydinger of Marlton, New Jersey who later sold it to the current owner. In 2017, it was sent to Mark Allin's Rare Drive Inc. in New Hampshire for an even more exacting restoration. Since the restoration was completed, the car has not been exhibited at SAAC meets or concours events.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster
Chassis number: CSX2210

This Shelby 289 Cobra was shipped from AC to Los Angeles aboard the SS Pacific Fortune on November 14the of 1963. It was used as a factory demonstrator before it was acquired to dealer Joe Brown Ford in Louisville, Kentucky, on May 15, 1964. It left the Shelby American facility finished in red with a black interior and equipped with 'Class A' accessories, which included a radio with antenna and chrome wheels.

Louisville resident John M. Winemiller acquired the car in March of 1965, who competed with the car in local autocrosses. It is believed that the car later received a surplus XE-specification racing engine from Carroll Shelby and Lew Spencer's Hi-Performance Motors after the shop's closing in 1967. The engine has a special block casting with four-bolt main bearing caps and a windage tray. It was also given a GT40-style intake and Weber carburetor.

After Mr. Winemiller's passing in the early 1970s, ownership passed to his son Jake. By 1983, Harry Campbell of Grain Valley, Missouri, had acquired the car. In 1985, it was set to Bill Murray of Longmont, Colorado for a ground-up, no-expense-spared restoration to cut-back-door, FIA specification. During this process, it received FIA fender flares and a hood scoop. The engine was re-built, the suspension was re-bushed, and the car was painted Dark Blue with traditional white racing stripes.

The car would remain in Mr. Campbell's care for an additional 33 years before selling it to the current caretaker.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster
Chassis number: CSX 2216

Henry Hartwell Hester was the original owner of this Shelby 289 Cobra. The recorded purchase date is September 21st of 1964. It was placed for sale by Mr. Hester in the May 1965 issue of Road & Track magazine, though the car did not sell. In 1967, the car was repainted in black, and in 1969 it was dropped off at an Oldsmobile dealership in La Jolla for an oil change, where an employee and the car were involved in an accident. With the damage repaired, Hester sold the Cobra in 1970 to James Gauthier of El Cajon, California. Mr. Gauthier had the car modified for Solo I competition, and he campaigned it for several years before selling the Cobra to Ken Champion in 1982. At this time, the car received a new engine. In late 1980, it was sold through Grand Prix Classics to Investment Motorsports of Illinois. Investment Motorsports commissioned a rebuild back to original specifications, sending the Cobra to Baurle's Autosport in Addison, Illinois. Gerald A. Schwalbach of Minneapolis, Minnesota, acquired the car in 1989.

More recently, the Cobra has been given a restoration back to its original specification. The slab-side body was refinished in its original white and features front and rear nerf bar bumpers, wind wings, and sun visors. There are Michelin XWX tires mounted on chrome wire wheels. Power is from a replacement 289 cubic-inch K-code engine fitted with stock exhaust. There is an original Borg Warner T-10 aluminum four-speed manual transmission. The interior is completed in red leather and features a wood-rimmed steering wheel with AC center cap, Stewart Warner instrumentation, clock, dash-mounted rearview mirror, and bucket seats with three-inch seat belts.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster
Chassis number: 2294

As soon as Carroll Shelby created the Cobra, it was inevitable that the cars would be raced. Shelby had built his reputation as a racecar driver in Ferraris and Maseratis. The first Cobra was assembled at Dean Moon's speed shop and most of the people that worked with Shelby on the development of the cars were also racers.

This racing background resulted in an immediate competition effort by Shelby American with financial backing from Ford Motor Company. Not only did the factory race the cars, but they also actively encouraged independent racers to campaign Cobras. Even though an owner started with a 'street' Cobra, Shelby American made sure all the required 'go fast goodies' were readily available to produce a championship winning race car.

2294 is one of 31 Independently Prepared Competition 289 Cobras, and spent most of its contemporary life as a race car. However, its beginnings were far away from a race track. On March 30th of 1964, this Cobra was shipped to Knippel-Selig Motors in West Allis, Wisconsin, and delivered to Alexandria Maui Dolhun as a high school graduation gift.

By 1966, the 289 Cobra had changed hands and began its life as a SCCA B/Production racer. Originally raced by Andy Baumgartner and later by Dennis Henningren from Mason City, Iowa, 2294 contested numerous SCCA National events throughout the Midwest. In 1970, the car made its way to California, owned by Bob Rogers, and started a West Coast racing career. David Hayes, of Sacramento, purchased 2294 from Rogers in 1971, after his previous Cobra had been destroyed at Sears point by his driving instructor. Hayes raced 2294 up and down the West Coast, including Sears Point, Laguna Seca, Ontario, Riverside, Vacaville and Seattle International. Its career ended at Laguna Seca in the 1973 Can-Am Regional race, when an oil line came loose and the car crashed into the hay bales at Turn 9.

Hayes started to restore the tired old race car in the late 1970s, but did not finish the project. In 1982, he passed the work-in-progress on to Greg DeCaster of Green Bay, Wisconsin, who completed the restoration of 2294 in 1987. While originally restored in a 'semi-race' configuration, the current owner has elected to return 2294 to its most significant contemporary form. This Cobra is now back on the race track after a 36 year absence.

Roadster
Chassis number: C0X 6014
Engine number: 2559

This Cobra was completed at the Thames Ditton AC Cars as a left-hand drive car and was consigned to Cambridge Motors of Montréal, Canada, on August 9th, 1964. In 1969, it was acquired by its first known owner, a Mr. Paul Schmelzer of Toronto, Canada, who would care for the car for over 45 years.

It is believed that this Cobra has never been taken to the racetrack, retains its original aluminum bodywork, chassis, and 289 Hi-Po V8 engine. It has been given a complete refurbishment by Legendary Motorcar Company of Halton Hills, Ontario, Canada. it is finished in a black exterior color with a contrasting red interior.

The 289 cubic-inch, overhead-valve V8 engine breathes through a single four-barrel carburetor and delivers 271 horsepower at 5,600 RPM. There is an independent suspension system, four-wheel disc brakes, and a four-speed manual transmission. It is one of just 17 left-hand drive COX export examples made in 1964 and 1965.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster
Chassis number: CSX 2247

Chassis number CSX 2247 was billed to Shelby Amerian on November 20th of 1963. Two weeks later, it was shipped to Los Angeles aboard the SS Loch Gowan. After completion, the Cobra wore a Bright Blue exterior over red, and fitted with Class A accessories which included a luggage rack, aluminum rocker covers, a radio with antenna, five chrome wheels, and WSW tires. It was invoiced to Coventry Motors in Walnut Creek, California on February 12th of 1964. That same month, it was purchased for $6,250 by its first owner, Andrew Wortman of Santa Monica, California. By the 1970s, it was owned by Don Price of California, and by this point in history, the car had received modifications for Solo I competition including a full roll bar, side pipes, and fender flares to accommodate wide Ansen slotted wheels. During a Solo I run in June 1973, the car sustained slight damage to its right side.

Mr. Price sold the Cobra in April of 1974 to Bob Schiro Motors, and it would reside in the Schiro family for the next four decades. Don Davis of Texas purchased it in 2020. Shortly thereafter, it was sent to Don Dickenson for a full restoration. The car was stripped down to bare metal and rebuilt. It currently wears its original color combination of Bright Blue over red. After the work was completed early in the spring of 2021, Mr. Davis sold the vehicle to its current owner later that same year in June.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster
Chassis number: CSX2177

This car began its life as a factory demonstrator sent from Shelby American in October of 196 as one of the first MKII Cobras directly to Ford Motor Company for executive use and evaluation. It was returned one year later in November of 1964 to Shelby. After being used at Shelby's headquarters for over six months, it was sold as a used street car in June of 1965 to Taylor American, Inc. The car's first owner (unknown) raced it in the late 1960s in the San Francisco Region SCCA. Purchased by Greg Bynum wearing racing tires, hood scoop, 4-inch side exhaust and competition shocks, he would also campaign it locally on weekends. Twelve months later friend Marshall Dunham had possession and continued to campaign the car. The car was advertised in Auto Sport magazine in 1985 and Ronald O'Connor answered the ad, purchased the car and adding larger flares, cut back FIA style door bottoms and racing it until 2003, when it was retired at Road America.

Roadster
Chassis number: CSX 2208

This Shelby 289 Cobra was billed to Shelby America from AC Cars on October 21, 1963, and nine days later, was dispatched to Los Angeles aboard the SS Loch Loyal. Shelby America fitted the engine, upgrades to the chassis, and Class 'A' accessories which included Cobra valve covers, aluminum Cobra valve covers, chromed 60-spoke wire wheels with whitewall tires, and a luggage rack. It was invoiced to Broad Motors of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on January 8, 1964, with a total suggested retail price of $5,584.05.

This 289 Cobra's first owner was a Philadelphia-area art collector who owned the car for just a few months before selling it to local clothier Stanley Spritzler. Lee Weinstein of Chatham, New Jersey, acquired the Cobra in 1968 as a high-school graduation gift to himself. It was used as daily transportation throughout the 1970s and in the care of Mr. Weinstein for the next 47 years (until his passing in 2013). In 1981, Geoff Howard of Accurate Restorations in Danbury, Connecticut, was commissioned to perform a thorough chassis and mechanical restoration.

Since entering new ownership, the car was given a three-year full restoration to factory specifications by Classic MotorSports of Northville, Michigan. Colour Restoration of Loveland, Colorado, was tasked with bringing the aluminum body back to factory specifications. Over 300 hours were spent block sanding the body alone. Upon completition, the car wore a factory-correct finish of Vineyard Green with Saddle leather upholstery.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster
Chassis number: CSX 2234
Engine number: 3513

This 1964 Shelby 289 Cobra is one of 655 small-block 'leaf spring' Cobras produced from 1962 to 1965. It was dispatched from AC Cars to Los Angeles, California, on November 20, 1963. It originally wore a red exterior over a black leather interior and was sent to Shelby American Inc. in Venice, California, where it received its 289 cubic-inch Hi-Po V-8 engine delivering 271 horsepower and paired with a four-speed manual transmission. Before it left Shelby American, it was given numerous 'Group A' accessories, including aluminum rocker covers, a four-barrel intake setup, a chrome grille guard and rear bumper, chrome exhaust tips, wind wings, a heater, sun visors, seat belts, a radio and antenna, and five chrome wheels.

Mark Downing Ford of Huntington Beach, California, was invoiced $5,195 for the Cobra on January 21, 1964. The original owner is not known, but it is believed to have spent its early life in the Eastern U.S. A known sequence of owners in Ohio, Alabama, Georgia, and Illinois followed through the 1970s and 1980. By the late 1980s, the Cobra had been repainted in its original Red, riding on the original chrome wire wheels, and remained 'as delivered' with the exception of a pair of aftermarket exhaust headers.

Bill Kemper purchased the Cobra in 1987, and at the time, it had 32,000 miles on the odometer. A comprehensive, multi-year restoration soon commenced preserving most of the original configuration and incorporating some discreet upgrades to improve drivability. Its exterior was finished in black paintwork over a matching interior.

In 2015, the car joined the 'Silver Surfers' collection of musician Neil Peart. This was the only non-silver car in his collection and reportedly served as the centerpiece of Peart's collection. In August 2021, the Cobra was sold at auction to its current caretaker.

by Dan Vaughan

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 Dan Vaughan