Vehicle Description
Immediately dominant in American SCCA road-racing from early 1963,
Carrol Shelby's Ford-powered, AC Ace-derived Cobra was also highly
effective on the dragstrip. Known as the "Dragonsnake," the drag
Cobra originated with a small group of young Shelby production
employees who developed and raced CSX2019 and then CSX2357 to great
effect. In addition to the two factory cars, three more were built
by Shelby for customers. Numbered CSX2093, this 1963 Shelby 289
Cobra Independently Prepared Dragonsnake reigns as the most
successful drag-racing Cobra of them all. Listed in the Shelby
American World Registry, CSX2093 is an original "street" Cobra
billed to Shelby American on February 18, 1963, originally
purchased by Hank Hillard of York, PA. It was soon traded to Ladd
Motors of Lebanon, PA, at 5,000 miles and then purchased by Jim
Costillow, who campaigned the car in road races and hillclimbs
until joining forces with Bruce Larson, a noted drag racer and
Chevy mechanic famed for his "USA-1" Camaro Funny. Detailed in
October 1965's Super Stock magazine, Larson invested a great deal
in rear-fender flares, American Racing wheels, drag slicks, a
chrome roll bar, Sun tachometer and expert chassis tweaks. Side
curtains and a Berry Plastics hardtop improved the Cobra's
aerodynamics. Refinished in 31 coats of eye-catching Fuchsia
Metallic paint, CSX2093 was driven by Bruce Larson and quickly
dominated the Northeast for the remainder of 1964 in NHRA A/SP and,
when fitted with four Weber twin-choke carbs, AA/SP. National
records fell to Larson and CSX2093 in 1965 at the Pomona, CA,
Winter Nationals; Bristol, TN, Spring Nationals and U.S. Nationals,
with Larson and CSX2093 winning all three events. At the World
Finals, Larson towered his own national record, but sacrificed the
World Championship by breaking out by over a tenth of a second. The
victorious Cobra was purchased by Ed Hedrick of Philadelphia in
1966, who competed with it in NHRA Northeast Division 1 B/Sports,
winning all national-level races entered, including the Spring
Nationals and U.S. Nationals. Hedrick's run continued through 1967,
with CSX2093 winning that year's Spring Nationals, Winter
Nationals, U.S. Nationals and World Championship. By 1969, CSX2093
was sold to a new owner, and during the mid-1970s it was refinished
light green, reconfigured for street duty, passed through several
owners, and won the "Popular Vote" award at the 1977 SAAC-2 and
1985 SAAC10 events. Peter Livanos, Greek shipping magnate and
eventual co-owner of Aston Martin, purchased CSX2093 in 1984 and
reacquired it several years later. In 1991, CSX2093 was acquired by
Ed Ulyate, who had it fully restored and finished in its iconic
1960s livery. In 1994, the Cobra returned to Pennsylvania with
David Young, who sold it in 1998 to Bruce Larson. Larson kept the
car in his personal collection and showed it at AACA events,
earning Junior and Senior awards at Hershey before selling the car
in January 2007. The Cobra passed through two more owners, and it
was most recently shown at the Concours d'Elegance of America at
St. John's in 2015, where it won "Best Sound." Adding to its
significance, the Cobra is certified by the AACA as a true and
correct original, and it has also received an AACA Senior Award,
plus an SCCA Letter of Authenticity. Accompanying the sale is a set
of side curtains, two front chrome wire wheels, and a document file
including period photographs and time slips from its illustrious
racing career. Striking in its best-known Costillow/Larson livery
and configuration, CSX2093 stands as one of the most historically
significant Competition Cobras in existence. **TITLED AS A 1963
FORD**
