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1963 Shelby Cobra 289

A.C. Cars, Ltd., was a boutique British automaker whose heritage dates to 1908 when they were manufacturers of small delivery vehicles (the A.C. initials are from Auto Carrier). In the 1920s the company got into sports cars and after World War II, there was a sports hiatus until the introduction of the Ace in 1954. It was built on a new tube-frame chassis with an all-independent suspension by Joh Tojeiro. From 1956, A.C.'s own engines were supplemented with outsourced units from Bristol and Ford of England.

A Texas chicken farmer turned racing driver named Carroll Shelby approached A.C. about installing American V8 engines into the Ace chassis. Shelby had initially planned on using Chevrolet's small-block engine, but General Motors had turned him down, perhaps due to concerns over competition from the Corvette. In October of 1961, Shelby learned of Ford's new small-block slated for introduction in the 1962 intermediate Fairlane model. A.C's Charles Hurlock expressed interest in the proposition and Ford was eager to do business with Shelby for the exact reasons that Chevrolet declined.

Shelby's racing career had come to an end after only eight years of successful motor racing, including the first overall for Aston Martin in the 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans. Shelby had been forced to think about retirement due to being diagnosed with a heart condition. After his retirement, he pursued new interests including drilling wildcat oil wells and started a Texas trucking company. In 1961 he became the west coast Goodyear Racing tire distributor and formed a motor racing school at Riverside Raceway in California.

With a steady stream of cash, Shelby was able to pursue the long-held dream of building his own sports car. With his experience from racing, Shelby knew what did and did not work. America-built cars typically had ample horsepower while European cars had superb brakes and handling. The hybrid sports car had been proven on numerous occasions, including the Nash-Healey, Cunninghams, and Allards. Shelby considered using chassis from several European manufacturers, including Jensen, Bristol, and Austin-Healey, but when A.C. had lost their engine supplier after Bristol ceased production, Shelby seized the opportunity.

A 221 cubic-inch engine was installed in a stock AC Ace and weighed just a few more pounds than the six-cylinder Bristol. Ford engineer Dave Evans provided Shelby with more good news, informing him that a high-performance 260 cubic-inch version was already in production for Ford's Falcon and two engines would soon be delivered to his workshop. The engines were sent via airfreight overseas, and Shelby flew to England on February 1, 1962, to test drive the new Shelby Ford 'Cobra.'

The 260 CID V8 offered 260 horsepower and was backed by a Borg-Warner four-speed transmission. Zero-to-sixty mph was accomplished in 4.2 seconds, with a 13.8-second quarter mile at 112 mph and a top speed of 153 mph at Riverside International Raceway, all in 1962. The first 75 examples were powered by the 260-cubic inch motor, followed by the 289 Windsor V-8. In racing configuration, the engine offered 370 horsepower and weighed just 2,020 pounds, which was 500 less than the Corvette.

On February 2, 1963, Dave MacDonald scored the first Cobra victory at Riverside, outpacing a field of Corvettes, Jaguars, Porsches, and Maseratis.

Changes and improvements were made continuously including replacing the worm and sector steering that caused unpredictable steering geometry changes. Shelby's chief engineer Phil Remington and A.C. Cars chief engineer Alan Turner made a comprehensive design change to the front end, incorporating the new rack and pinion system while maintaining the transverse leaf suspension. Designated as Mark II cars, they entered production in early 1963 and continued until 1965.

The Mark III cars were introduced in 1965 and came with a new chassis built using 4-inch main chassis tubes, an increase of 1-inch over the prior setup, and coil springs all around. They had a larger radiator opening, wider fenders to accommodate wider wheels, and were powered by the 'side oiler' Ford 427 cubic-inch FE engine equipped with a single 4-barrel 780 CFM Holley carburetor rated at 425 horsepower.

by Dan Vaughan

LeMans Coupe
Chassis number: CSX 2136

Carroll Shelby wanted to bring the FIA's World Manufacturers Championship home to the United States. The Cobra was simple. It was lightweight and attractive with an independent suspension and a reliable 260 cubic-inch V8 Ford engine.

During 1962 and 1963 the Shelby Cobra was tested, modified, and improved. Its weaknesses and shortcomings were identified and fixed. Larger tires sent more power to the ground and improved cornering but it also identified that the transverse leaf spring suspension was inadequate. More improvements brought about greater speeds and the need for better stopping power.

The Cobra was proving itself on the racing circuit, with great speed and reliability being shown at Daytona and Sebring. Carroll turned his sights on the 24 Heures du Man's race. Two vehicles were constructed specifically for this grueling 24-hour endurance race that not only tests the team and the drivers, but also the car. A 37-gallon fuel tank with a high-capacity fuel filler and quick release was adapted to the cars. The fender flares were enlarged and the prior wheels were replaced in favor of Dunlop magnesium wheels. The 'FIA' hood scoop and side vents were enlarged which allowed more air into the engine and improved cooling. A roll cage was added to provide safety for the driver. Though the engine was already highly modified, four Weber dual choke downdraft carburetors provided extra power.

The Cobras were entered by AC Cars and managed by Stirling Moss. Drivers Peter Bolton and Ninian Sanderson drove the cars to a respectable 7th place overall and 3rd in the GT category. In response to this success, six more Cobra's were commissioned to be built and dubbed the Le Man's version.

CSX 2136 was one of the first of these commemorative LeMans Cobra's to be built. It was constructed to compete throughout the remaining 1963 SCCA/US Road Racing Championship season. It was raced on September 8th at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. Driven by Dave MacDonald and Bob Bondurant, it finished fourth overall and first in its class. A month later it finished 3rd in the GT class at the Los Angeles Times GT race and was driven by Spencer. A few weeks later MacDonald navigated CSX 2136 to a second-place overall victory at the Hawaiian GP. On December 8th, 1963, CSX 2136 served its final duties in SCCA/USRRC racing competition, driven by Frank Gardner to a first in class at the Nassau Trophy Race.

Ed Leslie purchased the car from the Shelby Team and raced it extensively during the 1964 season. He raced in the SCCA A/Production class, winning seven of the eleven races he entered.

It was sold to Foster Alexander who continued its racing history during the 1965 season. One of the more prominent races and victories for Alexander with the Cobra was at the ARRC National championship finale at Daytona where he skillfully navigated the car to an impressive third overall and first in class.

The car was later sold to Lee Midgley and Stan Bennett who continued to race CSX 2136.

by Dan Vaughan

LeMans Coupe
Chassis number: CSX 2156

This is a 1963 Shelby Cobra LeMans with CSX 2156.

During 1963 eight cars were built as race cars by AC. Six of these series were finished by Shelby American in Venice, California. The first two cars ran at LeMans in June, with fastback hardtops. The next three cars were painted black and raced by Shelby America in USRRC and SCCA Races in the summer and fall of 1963. The last set of three cars was sold to racing customers.

2156 was sold to George Constantine and delivered to George Butler at Nassau Speed Weeks in November of 1963. Butler finished 1st in GT Governor's Trophy Race.

It finished 7th overall at Daytona Continental in February of 1964. It raced yearly in N.E., Mid-Atlantic, Central and Midwest Regions, of SCCA between 1964 and 1980.

It was invited to ARRC in 1971 (2nd BP and Rookie of the Year) and 1972 while owned and raced by Gordon Meffert.

From 1980 to the present, it has been vintage raced and owned by various owners.

Roadster
Chassis number: CSX2129

In 1963, the Shelby Cobra team was threatening Ferrari in international competition and was thoroughly dominating the Corvette just about everywhere else. Shelby wanted to create and build what he called a 'Corvette-Beater'. The AC Cobras would do that, and in the meantime, would send Ferrari scurrying around trying to make sure it could stay ahead.

The 1963 season started out perfectly for Shelby as his 289 Cobras would score a 1st and 2nd place result at Riverside. The Shelby team had dominated a field of Corvettes, Jaguars, Porsches and Maseratis to earn the first victory for the Cobra.

The advantage the Cobras enjoyed throughout the year came as a result of the 289 CID Ford V8 engine with four Weber carburetors which helped boost horsepower to approximately 400 bhp. The car's performance would also be helped by a chassis that weighed considerably less than a Corvette and could handle much better due to its lower weight, good center of gravity, and the use of new rack-and-pinion steering.

After the early successes of the season, the team would prepare six cars for the 12 hour race at Sebring. These cars would have some special modifications including quick-change pins on the front brakes, Halibrand magnesium wheels and, for the first time, rack and pinion steering. A number of other revisions had to do with body-to-chassis fit and other small tweaks that would help the team's performance over 12 hours of racing. Unfortunately, despite all of the modifications and performance tweaks, just one car would end up making it to the finish of the race.

In August of this year Gooding & Company hosted an auction at Pebble Beach. One of the cars offered at the auction would be a 1963 Shelby Cobra 289 factory team car. Chassis number CSX2129 had been completed in March of 1963 and would be shipped to Los Angeles.

Upon arriving, the car would immediately undergo conversion. The car would be converted to 'Sebring' specifications. The car would receive modifications inside and out of the chassis and would be topped off with a bright red finish. This would end up being the only one of the group that would sport the red finish.

Over the next couple of months of racing the car would continue to improve. At Watkins Glen, it would receive its first victory as Ken Miles would take the car to a 3rd place overall finish and a 1st place in the 2.0-liter category.

Throughout the summer months, the car continued to earn top five and top three finishes. It would also go on to win more than a couple of races. But perhaps one of the greatest performances put in by the Shelby Factory team and CSX2129 would come at the FIA Double 500 at Bridgehampton. There the team would face a series threat of privateer Ferraris and very good E-Type Jaguars.

The race would be a battle throughout. It would come down to the struggle between the Jaguars and the Cobras. After some heavy fighting and close contact, Dan Gurney would lead home a Shelby Cobra one, two. Ken Miles, piloting CSX2129 would finish in 2nd behind Gurney.

Through Miles' efforts behind the wheel of this Cobra, and the efforts of the other factory Cobras, Shelby American would win the 1963 USRRC Manufacturer's Championship, USRRC Drivers' Championship and would also become the SCCAA-Production Champions.

After its successful season, this particular Cobra would be sold to Graham Shaw of South Carolina. The car would receive a new livery and would begin its new career as part of Graham Shaw Racing in Daytona the next year.

Shelby American would purchase the car back and would prepare it to be featured at Ford Motor Company's 1964 New York World's Fair display. Well over a year later, September of 1965, Shelby would loan the car to Lew Spencer to drive in the SCCA National at Riverside. Proving the car still had some more life in it, Spencer would go on to win A-Production.

Shelby American would again part with the car. It would end up being sold to Mr. Eric Pohl in 1966. From then on, the car would take part in a number of club races. Racing was in its blood, and CSX2129 would continue to race throughout 1966.

In 1967, Bruce Goldsmith would acquire the car. By this time the car was over three years old. While it was still competitive it certainly was on its downward trend. Goldsmiths' ownership would end up seeing the car take on a new role.

For whatever reason, Goldsmith would purchase a new high-performance short block engine from Ford. The engine featured original Shelby components but was installed on a short block. This change would give the car incredible performance.

Goldsmith would make the changes to the car and would put it up for sale. The advertisement would end up catching the eye of Thomas Long of Hemet, California. Long would end up purchasing the car.

In 1984, Long would begin restoring the car. During the process, Long would discover much of the car's original racing history. He would come across the original red finish and the hastily-repaired flared fenders. Long would repair the flares and would finish the car in a dark blue livery.

In time, Long would come to understand and recognize the need to have the car restored to its original factory team livery. The work to restore the car to its appearance as part of the Shelby Factory Team would start in the late 1990s. When the car was finished, it would again be adorned in a bright red finish and would sport the proper black interior.

When it was first adorned in its red finish CSX2129 could be readily seen competing at circuits all over the country. However, since its restoration to its original livery, CSX2129 has rarely been seen except for a few instances where the car has taken part in some tribute events.

Cobras were hard competitors. Just one look and the car's mean, competitive nature becomes readily apparent. They didn't look the part of a high-strung thoroughbred that needed to be handled carefully. Instead, it was very much a muscle car meant to beat its competition into submission. To do that sometimes required driving the car hard and risk damaging it.

This example offered at auction would be truly a rare example. The racing damage to the car remained relatively light. Combine this with its already impressive history, racing success and relatively low mileage since retiring from racing and it is little wonder why CSX2129 would end up being sold for $2,585,000.

Sources:

'Lot No. 055: 1963 Shelby Cobra 289 Factory Team Car', (http://www.goodingco.com/car/1963-shelby-cobra-factory-team-car). Gooding & Company. http://www.goodingco.com/car/1963-shelby-cobra-factory-team-car. Retrieved 25 August 2011.

Wikipedia contributors, 'AC Cobra', Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 22 August 2011, 17:49 UTC, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=AC_Cobra&oldid=446184103 accessed 25 August 2011

by Jeremy McMullen

Roadster

Carroll Shelby helped forge the motor racing link between the United States and Europe. He began as an accomplished racing driver who showed Europeans that Americans were not confined to oval tracks, became a driver for a European Formula One team, and won the 1959 LeMans 24-hour race. Although not an engineer, he 'married' the British AC chassis and a powerful Ford V8 engine to produce the Cobra, one of the most successful of all sports cars ever. The first Cobra was sold in 1962, and 75 more came off the assembly line that year, by which time the car had become homologated and was eligible for competition work. Through the next four years, the Cobra campaigned successfully on both sides of the Atlantic, and by the time production ended in 1966, a total of 1,140 of these cars had been built. This example was sold new by Coventry Motors of Walnut Creek, CA, and was purchased in 2003 by its current owner from an Oregon Ford dealer who had owned it for 22 years.

Roadster
Chassis number: CSX 2060

The AC Car Company in England began building sports cars in the mid-1950s. In 1962 the AC, Shelby America, and Ford Motor Companies formed a partnership to build sports/race cars for the American market. The AC Company shipped cars without engines and transmissions to Shelby American in California. Ford supplied the engines and Shelby America finished the cars.

This car, serial number CSX 2060, is an early AC Cobra. Since the production of AC Cobras started with car CSX 2000, this car is the 61st Cobra built.

The early AC Cobras had 260 cubic-inch Ford engines. In 1964, Ford began to supply 289 cubic-inch Hi-Po engines for installation in Cobras. This car returned to the Shelby America Company and received a 289 Hi-Po race-configured engine. A total of 603 small block Cobras were built between late 1962 and late 1964.

LeMans Coupe
Chassis number: CSX 2142

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 Dan Vaughan

Roadster
Chassis number: CSX2122

CSX2122 was among the first 200 Cobras produced at AC Cars, Ltd. under the newly agreed contract with Shelby America. It is painted in Princess Blue metallic paint and was shipped From AC Cars, Ltd. to Shelby's Los Angeles headquarters on May 2nd of 1963. It is powered by a 289 cubic-inch v8 engine and fitted with a 4-barrel carburetor. It has a luggage rack, WSW tires, and a four-speed manual transmission.

The first owner of this car was Jaques Passino who purchased it on September 16, 1963, for $5,182, which included his $300 employee discount. It returned to Shelby American a year later with 4,058 miles on the odometer. There is was given a Rotunda tachometer, Smiths clock, a new soft top and tonneau, and a Ford air cleaner.

The next owner was Hi-Performance Motors of Los Angeles purchasing it on August 10th of 1964. It was then sold to Robert Brandes who sold it a year later to Monte Stutes of Conroe, Texas. It remained in his care until September of 1973 when it was again offered for sale. At this point, the advertisement stated it has 26K miles, was painted in metallic grey, and offered for $7,800.

W.H. Griffin of Topeka, Kansa purchased it, and kept it for about a year before selling it to John D. Leatherman of PA. A Wisconsin individual named Bill Milburn purchased the car in 1976 and later sold it to Jim Cowles of Green Bay, Wisconsin.

While in Mr. Cowles's care, the car was given a restoration. Upon completion, it was featured in the January 1994 issue of Mustangs and Fast Fords. David Furay of Colorado purchased the car in 1996 and sold it on to his brother Dan Furay of Frankfort, Illinois in 2001. The car currently has 39,000 miles and is reported to be in great mechanical and cosmetic condition.

In 2009, it was brought to the Gooding & Company auction held in Scottsdale, Arizona where it was estimated to sell for $525,000 - $600,000. Bidding failed to satisfy the vehicle's reserve and the lot was left unsold.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster

This Cobra is the last of the 'LeMans' series of competition cars. It was built during the fall of 1963, with the first Daytona Coupe. It has been raced every year from 1963 through 2005, except when it was being restored. It has never been driven on the road, but has competed in hundreds of races, including the first Nassau Trophy Race, the Daytona Continentals (where it finished 7th overall), and twice at the SCCA runoffs. This car holds the lap records at Thompson, CT; Lime Rock, CT; Loudon, NH; and Blackhawk Farms, IL.

Roadster
Chassis number: CSX 2085

It is rare to find a car that has been street-driven and raced in as many forms of competition as this Cobra. CSX 2085 was initially shipped to Ford in Dearborn and originally bought by Jacques Passino for $5,182. The car was shipped off to California the following year. It was then purchased and modified by Bob Gage, a friend of Carroll Shelby and godson of Ken Miles. Miles assisted in the car's competition conversion, which included a fuel cell, roll bar, Weber carburetors, hood scoop, brake ducts and a competition windshield. The car and owner were shipped to England, where they claimed eight victories during the 1965 racing season. After this season, it returned home and was returned to street trim, however, its competitive streak still glowed as the car was auto-crossed and even drag-raced successfully.

Bob Gage sold the car in 1969. It visited Florida and then was tucked away in Canada for a decade. The current owner purchased the car in 1996, upgrading it to current vintage racing specs and returning it to its rightful place, the race track.

Roadster
Chassis number: CSX2178

CSX2178 was factory Vineyard Green with a Beige interior, as it is today, but at one stage in its life, both changed. It was originally delivered on the Shelby transporter to the Ford Motor Company in Cleveland, Ohio as a promotional vehicle to be returned to Shelby in the summer of the following year for repairs. It stayed in Los Angeles for years, went to Texas, and was ultimately bought by the current owners in October of 1981. At the Wine Country Classic in 1995, 57,400 miles were recorded. In their ownership, the car has participated in most of the Cobra 1000 tours.

Roadster
Chassis number: CSX2253

CSX2253, a 'leaf-spring' 289 Cobra Roadster, was originally White with Black interior and sold by Theodore Robins Ford of Newport Beach, CA. The first owner was a Los Angeles doctor who soon traded it for a 427. The original 289 CID motor was somehow seized while in transit from Virginia back to Los Angeles in 1970 and was replaced by a Holman and Moody 302. It then sat in primer for 16 plus and was ultimately acquired by the current owner in 1997. The new owner painted it Guardsman Blue with White stripes after mild modifications such as fitting of a roll bar, oil cooler scoop and 6-inch painted wire wheels.

Roadster
Chassis number: CSX2100

In the United Kingdom, the source of the chassis and body, the car is known as an AC Cobra; in the rest of the world, a Shelby Cobra. AC Cars of Thames Ditton, Surrey built Roadsters from 1961 through 1967 in various versions.

This Cobra 289 is a Mark II, chassis number CSX2100. CSX means 'export Cobra' and 2100 makes it the 100th example built. About 528 Mark II Cobras were built in total. The Cobra went through a long development process through 1967 - getting faster, arguably, and more complex.

This Shelby 289 Cobra Roadster was billed to Shelby American on March 13, 1963, and invoiced on June 7, 1963, to McCollum Ford in Dishman, Washington. It was repainted by Earl Pfeiffer in the 1980s.

Power is from the 289 cubic-inch V8 engine paired with a Borg Warner T10 4-speed manual transmission. It has leather hides from CSX2113 which were removed from that car when made into a race car and the seats were swapped out. It retains its original dash and leather door pockets, and the original weather gear including roof bows side curtains and tonneau cover. There is a Rotunda tachometer, rebuilt heater, Rebuilt correct Stewart Warner 420A fuel pump, original clamps, and a new replacement Harrison aluminum radiator with original Harrison overflow.

Roadster
Chassis number: CSX 2167

CSX 2167 is a 1963 289 Cobra Mark II with 30,500 original miles. It was shipped to Shelby American in Los Angeles on August 30th of 1963, aboard the SS Loch Garth. The car left the factory with options that included whitewall tires and a luggage rack for a total of $5,500.50. From there, it was sent by transporter to Gotham Ford in New York City to be used by Ford's District Office as a sales promotion unit.

The car was released from the Gotham dealership with little mileage in mid-1964. Gotham Ford sold it in June of 1964 and was returned for engine warranty work in July, indicating 1,350 miles. At the time, the owner was Mr. Liebowitz, of the Tarrell Building Corp. in Glen Cove, New York. In April of 1969, the car was purchased by Ray Cuomo of Huntingdon, New York. Cuomo had previously raced CSX 2009. At the time, CSX 2167 was fitted with Weber carburetors, chrome wire wheels, and cooling scoops underneath the front valence, which it retains today. In October of 1970, the car was sold to Pat Johnson of Virginia, who retained the car for a decade. Johnson sold it to Edwin Bunn, of Grundy, Virginia in 1980 and had it registered as 65COBRA.

In the mid-1980s, the car was treated to a restoration. The frame was sleeved to strengthen it, the engine brakes and suspension were rebuilt, and it was repainted in Emerald Blue, which was a non-metallic color. Other changes included an alloy fuel tank, a Holley carburetor on a Cobra intake, Dayton wire wheels with Goodyear tires, a new exhaust, and a new black vinyl interior. The work was completed in December of 1986 and at the time, the mileage totaled 21,132.

In October of 2001, the car was sold to Richard Cohen and Larry Smith, of Florida. A year later, Kay Hafner of Essen, Germany purchased the car. Soon after the purchase, it was sold to successful racing driver Frank Sytner in the UK, who registered it with the period-correct marker plate ANU 950A. It was subsequently offered by Gregor Fisken in the UK, who had it repainted in Guardsman Blue. Jon Savage, of Providence, Rhode Island, bought CSX 2167 in May of 2005 and brought the car back to the U.S. In 2007, it was sold to David Paulson, of Westlake, California.

In 2012, the car was offered for sale at RM Auction's Monterey, CA. sale. The car was estimated to sell for $600,000 - $700,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $627,000, including buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster
Chassis number: CSX 2048

CSX2048 is an early small-block Cobra. It is factory-finished in red and black, the same colors as today. It was invoiced to Shelby American on November 13th of 1962 and shipped to Los Angeles. Factory documents recorded that it was refinished in a custom pearlescent paint finish and used briefly as a show car, followed by storage at the Shelby American warehouse prior to joining the famous 'Ford Custom Caravan' traveling display.

The next owner was Jacques Passino, the head of Ford Motor Company's racing operation. Invoiced to Passino for $5,889.30, after a $300 Ford Motor Company discount, the Cobra was equipped with the Class 'A' accessory package, the aforementioned pearlescent paint finish, chrome wheels, and Goodyear racing tires. The subsequent history of CSX2048 resumes in late-1970, when it was advertised for sale by a Massachusetts-based dealer.

In May 1971, CSX2048 was purchased by Mark Panageotes, of New Hampshire, who ultimately retained the car until the late-2000s. In 1973, the car was repainted in red. He drove the Cobra frequently and regularly. After moving to Kansas, Mr. Penageotes extensively campaigned the Cobra in Kansas State Sports Car Club autocross events. In total, he and the Cobra visited 21 U.S. states and four Canadian provinces, covering a conservatively-estimated 5,000 miles per year, on average, over the years.

In the late-2000s, the car was treated to a complete restoration. In late-2011, after 40 years of ownership, Mr. Panageotes sold his Cobra to another enthusiast. The 289 cubic-inch Ford overhead valve V-8 engine is fitted with a Holley four-barrel carburetor and offers 271 horsepower. There is a four-speed manual transmission and four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes.

In 2012, this car was offered for sale at RM Auction's Monterey, CA sale. It was estimated to sell for $550,000 - $650,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $522,500, inclusive of buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster
Chassis number: CSX2128

A factory Shelby team car, this roadster was memorialized in the song 'Hey Little Cobra.' The Shelby was driven by Dan Gurney, Ken Miles, Lew Spencer, Allen Grand and others. Most recognized as one of two Cobras built for the 1963 Sebring race, it once wore a livery designed by movie titan George Lucas.

Roadster
Chassis number: CSX2034

This is a 260-cubic-inch Cobra Roadster wearing chassis number CSX2034. It was invoiced to Shelby American on 10/22/62. On 11/30/62 it was invoiced to Tasca Ford (E. Providence, RI) for $4,995 with a heater which cost an additional $65. It is not clear if Tasca or a Boston-area dealer originally sold CSX2034.

The first private owner was James hall, who then ordered a triple twin-choke carburetion kit for it via Grappone Ford of Concord, New Hampshire, the company for which Stan Hallinan worked. Shortly after his purchase, Mr. Hall lost his license due to numerous speeding citations.

The Cobra was listed for sale in the 12/63 issue of Car and Driver. It was listed as having 1,000 original miles and had never been raced. The car failed to sell through the magazine ad and was later sold to Stan Hallinan at Grappone Ford. Since that time it has been preserved in its original condition ever since.

After not seeing any use for two summers after its acquisition in 1964, the car was put into storage with 4,200 miles on its odometer. It was kept in a dry barn on Mr. Hallinan's property.

This car is believed to be the lowest mileage and most-original example of the early 260CID. It is believed that 75 examples of the 260 cubic-inch Cobras were produced. Of those, 62 were street cars while the balance was a mix of factory team cars, independently prepared race cars, and one Dragonsanke. Many of the Cobras (including all the factory-prepared race cars and the Dragonsnake) were subsequently re-engined with the later 289-cubic-inch Ford V8 power units.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster
Chassis number: CSX2044
Engine number: 3011B-524

The first 289 Cobra and was featured in nearly every significant catalogue of Shelby marque history

This Cobra was built to the specifications to accept a 260 motor. By the time they were ready to install an engine, they were ready to start production with the 289 that would come to define the Cobra.

The original owner, Mr. Horn, took delivery on May 21st of 1963. It had a base price of $5,995 but with the extras and custom components, including the roll-over bar for $200, the price was $6,944.55. Other options included a set of five Goodyear 6.70x15 T4 tires, seat belts, shoulder harnesses, and impact reels. Other options were the convex mirrors and an interior anti-dazzle mirror. The additional side pipe was a no-cost option, and he ordered a rear bumper and front grille guard to protect the ends. Luxury amenities included sun visors, wind wings, and a heater.

It is believed that the car never raced. Mr. Horn did drive the car extensively, accumulating around 23,000 miles over the next six years. no modifications were done to the engine; the only change from factory stock was larger tail lamps from a contemporary Ford pickup and reflective red tape on the rear end.

In 1969 Mr. Horn knocked a muffler loose. It would go unfixed for the next 32 years. It would remain in naturally climate-controlled storage. It didn't move again until he sold it to the current owner in 2001.

Since returning to the road, the car has had a single correct repaint in the original color. It is currently equipped with an upgraded carburetor (the factory original remains with the car). Other than that, and new tires, nothing has changed.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster
Chassis number: CSX2119
Engine number: 1296

Chassis number CSX2119 was invoiced to Shelby American on April 30th of 1963. It was finished in Vineyard Green over a beige interior. It was shipped to Los Angeles on May 2nd aboard the Loch Avon. After completion at Shelby American in August of 1963, it was consigned to W.J. Janner, Car Sales Promotion, Ford Division, Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, Michigan, and was shipped to Dearborn aboard one of the FoMoCo trucks along with other early Cobras CSX2083, 2085, 2120, and 2122.

The car was invoiced to Jacques Passino in September of 1963. It sold for $5,195 with Class 'A' accessories ($224.50), a luggage race ($30), and WSW tires ($32.50), minus the FoMoCo discount of $300. The total was $5,182. During this time, the car was fitted with the factory hard top, and used as a Ford executive demonstration car for promotion in the Michigan area.

During the latter half of 1964, the Cobra was returned to Shelby American after its promotional duties had been satisfied, and it was then sold to Metke Ford of Bellevue, Washington. The next owner was James C. Bargelt of Bellevue, Washington. Mr. Bargelt also owned CSX2459, a USRRC competition Cobra, which he was known to have raced from 1966 through 1968.

Mr. Bargelt drove the car to the USRRC Road Races at Kent, Washington, and received a dash plaque which is still fitted to the car. In 1966, he was involved in a minor accident to the left front, and was repaired with a factory fender from Shelby American. The new fender was painted - blended to match the factory paint on the rest of the car.

Michael W. Hyer of Mercer Island, Washington purchased CSX2119 in 1966 for $4,000. Shortly thereafter, he relocated to Blacksburg, Virginia, and brought the small-block Cobra with him. The car remained in his care until recently. During that time, it saw very little use and was kept in storage until the late 1990s. Currently, it has fewer than 11,300 miles from new.

Currently, the car has its original engine, factory original paint, original interior, hardware, and brightwork. It has factory accessories, such as the spare tire, complete tool roll with Shelby jack and grease gun, soft top with mounts, side curtains and tonneau cover.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster
Chassis number: CSX2023

Shelby American produced 654 small-block Cobras from 1962 through 1965, including 579 289-powered cars and 75 of the earliest cars with the 260 engine. This particular example is the 23rd Cobra built. It was billed to Shelby American on October 1, 1962, and sold via Downtown ford in Los Angeles on November 28, 1962. For four decades, from 1971 until 2011, it was in single ownership with Ruben Garnica. At some point in its life, it was upgraded to a 289 V-8, and during the early 1980s, the Cobra was restored. During early 2013, the Cobra passed through a new owner and it was returned to its correct 'as-new' appearance and body configuration, with a new Silver paint finish. The current caretaker acquired the car in March 2014.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster
Chassis number: CSX 2188

The first V-8 Carroll Shelby fitted into the AC chassis was a 221 cubic-inch unit. This was followed by a 260 cubic-inch engine, then a 289 CID, and finally the 427 CID. The 289 CID V8 offered 306 brake horsepower resulting in the perfect balance of handling and raw power.

This particular example was originally invoiced to Broad Motors Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on December 16th of 1963. It was painted white with a red interior, and equipped with aluminum rocker covers and rode on whitewall tires. In the back was a luggage rack. The original owner was Jay Hughes who purchased it from Broad Motors. Mr. Hughes, a used car dealer based in York, Pennsylvania, was also the sub-distributor for Cobras for Broad Motors at the time. It is believed that he did not re-sell the car but rather kept it for his personal use. It was later sold to Tim Grumbacher who kept the car for about a year before trading it back to Hughes who once again sold it, this time to Byron Wilt. It remained in Pennsylvania for the following decade. During that time, it was used at one point as a drag-racer by John Caruso. To keep it competitive, it was given minor modifications including an aftermarket roll bar, Weber carburetors, Belanger Drag headers, a Hurst shifter, and drag radials on custom rear wheels. Mr. Caruso sold the car in 1971 to Christopher B. Klein, who painted the car maroon and had it returned to its original street configuration by 1975. The car passed through Bill Collins of Harrisburg in 1979.

Interestingly, while the car was offered for sale, several parts were stolen. A friend of Mr. Collins later found the parts at a swap meet, still wearing the maroon color with the original white paint underneath. Mr. Collins purchased all the parts back, including the original grille, seats, hood, doors, and rear deck lid. Soon after acquiring the parts, Collins began a restoration, but was unable to finish the project. It was later sold to Dave Wagner of Detroit, Michigan, who finished the restoration.

The car is currently finished in black-over-red leather with matching red Wilton wool carpeting. It has chrome wire wheels with Michelin X radials, sun visors, wind wings, its original top, a tonneau cover, side curtains, a proper grease gun, a jack, and a spare wheel in the trunk. The interior features correct Smiths gauges, a correct Rotunda tachometer, a rare original clock, and an original AC wood-rimmed steering wheel and optional heater.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster

Who would have thought that a chicken farmer from Texas would go on to create one of the most revered and recognized automobiles and nameplates ever produced. Well, that is exactly what Carroll Shelby did back in the early 1960s.

In addition to his chicken farming duties, young Shelby also like to race cars. Not just race, but win....at all costs. Starting with a borrowed MG TC, Shelby was bit by the racing bug in a big way. Fascinated by anything with an engine and somewhat bored after leaving the United States Air Force where he served as a pilot in World War I, it wasn't long before he would modify darn near anything with an engine in it.

Since the American way is to do things bigger and better, Shelby decided to stuff an American V-8 engine into a lightweight British A.C. roadster. Starting with the Ford 260, he was certainly making his mark and drawing plenty of attention.

Of course, this would lead to a lifelong career of stuffing larger engines into lighter cars. Being diagnosed with angina, he found himself unable to continue racing, but his career was primed to take off.

This 1963 Cobra is a prime example of the aluminum-bodied sports car that started it all. With the high-revving small block engine under the hood, this Cobra exemplifies exactly what the chicken farmer had in mind when he decided to make his mark in the racing world.

Roadster
Chassis number: CSX 2075

Francis Ford Motors of Portland, Oregon, delivered Shelby Cobra no. CSX 2075 to its original owner, Chet McFallo. McFallo immediately converted the car into ' Dragonsnake' specification, making it more suitable for the drag-strip than the circuit track. It had fender flares, a soft top, cheater slicks, and a single four-barrel carburetor. It was initially raced in the SCCA B/Sports-Production class, and progressively modified over time to compete in other classes, including the C/Altered class.

One of the engines placed in the car's bay during the period was a 289 V8 from a Gurney Eagle. Thus, this Cobra was one of the first Cobras (reportedly the second) to have a 289 engine.

In May of 1971, the car was acquired by Jim Kirby who had it converted back to street specification. Three years later, it was briefly owned by Stephen Monaco before coming into the care of Gary Kadrmas of Portland, Oregon, who performed a full restoration. The car was finished in black with smaller rear fender flares, while the hood scoop, rollbar, and five-spoke American Racing wheels of its competition days remain to this day. The 289 was fitted with dual Holley four-barrel carburetors, and a Hurst shifter was added to the interior.

The car was acquired by its current owner directly from Shelby American. It has its original black interior, correct Stewart-Warner gauges, original spare wire wheel in the trunk, and bears Carroll Shelby's famous signature.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster
Chassis number: CSX 2149

This Shelby 289 Cobra is the 149th example produced. It was shipped to Shelby American in July of 1963 and finished in off-white with a red leather interior and Class 'A' accessories, including a luggage rack, for a total price of $5,415.50. It was then shipped to the Ford district sales office in Davenport, Iowa where it was used for promotional purposes.

The car was purchased by Dr. Bryan B. Molloy of Indianapolis through a newspaper advertisement in 1969. Shortly after acquiring the car, he arranged for a new windshield (from AC Cars) and a repaint in bronze. After several years of use, he put it away in a barn at the back of his farm, and there it remained, hidden away and virtually forgotten.

A delivery man discovered the car in 1993 in well-preserved and solid condition. Shortly thereafter, he arranged to purchase it from Dr. Molloy's spouse. The new owner soon doubled his money in selling the car to a friend, David Doll, who brought it to SAAC-19 in 1994.

After the ownership of Bill Weaver, the car was acquired by Tom Cotter. Cotter and partner Jim Maxwell together restored the car to its original white over red color combination. The car had only 21,000 actual miles and still retained much of its original equipment, including the low-rise cast-iron intake manifold, the small Y-type exhaust headers, and spark plug wires.

After the work was completed, the car was sold by Cotter and Maxwell in 2005 to its current caretaker.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster
Chassis number: CSX 2095

This Shelby Cobra 289 arrived in Los Angeles in the spring of 1963 and was invoiced to Coventry Motors of Walnut Creek, California, in June of that year. Its first owner is unknown. By April of 1972, it was in the care of Robert C. Able of Eugene, Oregon, who acquired it from Arthur Johnstone, of Medford. It was repainted dark blue with red leather seats in 1974. At that time, the original engine was replaced with a later 289 cubic-inch V8 with dual-quad carburetors, and wider wheels were also installed. In 1981 it was purchased by Jim D'Onnofrio of Salem, Oregon, and by that point in history, the car had been painted black and the fender flares were widened to accommodate wider wheels. The car remained with Mr. D'Onnofrio for over two decades. Its next owner was Bill Bryan of Winter Park, Florida who acquired the car in 2003. It was soon sent to Mike McCluskey in Torrance, California, where the fender flares and modifications were returned to original. While in Mr. Bryan's care, it saw extensive use and was driven in several Cobra tours. Recently, the car was traded so he could acquire a 427 Cobra.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster
Chassis number: CSX 2125

This 1963 Shelby Cobra MK1 is the last worm and sector steering box car created before the move to rack and pinion. Originally sold to Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, Michigan, on July 31, it is unclear if the car ever shipped to Ford, as the invoice was later voided and the car was invoiced to U.S. Molded Fiberglass in Detroit on August 27, 1963. Shelby American Records listed the original owner of the car as Stan Aldridge. Further details about the car were unknown until it appeared in a classified ad in July 1979, where it was listed for sale for $50K or best offer. The car was purchased and then resold in 1980 to Ned Tanen, a movie producer of Universal and Paramount and a good friend of Carroll Shelby. Shelby signed the glove box door, 'Great car, Ned. Your friend, Carroll Shelby.' Tanen owned the car until he passed in 2009. In 2010 the car was consigned to Bonham's where it was purchased by the current owner in October 2014. During research for the restoration, it was discovered that the car was originally Metaline Blue and was one of only three Shelby Cobras ever painted that color.

This Shelby Cobra is powered by a 289 High-Performance Ford V-8 backed by a Borg-Warner T-10 four-speed transmission.

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