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The original iconic, badass American sports car
Authentic rack & pinion street Cobra
Matching numbers engine, hood and trunk lid
Concours-level cosmetic restoration by Canepa, mechanical
restoration by Cobra Automotive
Approx. 400 horsepower 289 HiPo V8 engine, 4-speed manual
transmission
Documented in the World Registry of Cobras and GT40s
1,511 miles since restoration
There was one name in the world of American sports cars that made
your head turn when heard: Shelby. The American-blooded racing car
driver turned car manufacturer, Carrol Shelby created one of the
most iconic and authentic sports cars of all time: the Shelby
Cobra. Powerful, agile, and lightweight, these American icons took
to the tracks and racked up wins which quickly spread their
popularity throughout the world. Driven by the likes of Dan Gurney,
Steve McQueen, and many other celebrities and racing drivers, the
Shelby Cobra was an instant classic which today is now considered
one of the best sports cars of all time. The combination of
accessible performance, drop-dead looks, and its everyday usability
allowed it to become one of the most desirable American cars in
history.
Channeling the American ingenuity that Lance Reventlow's Scarab
racing builders did in the late 1950s, Carrol Shelby's Cobras were
hand crafted from aluminum for an extremely lightweight body.
Practically shrink-wrapped to the steel frames underneath, the
street Cobras had curves and beauty that were most often reserved
for only some of the finest hand-built race and coach-built cars.
Powered by the mighty Ford 289 V8 engine mated to a 4-speed manual
transmission, the Shelby Cobra 289's power-to-weight ratio was
approaching race car territory, all in a road-legal package. This
raw performance coupled with the Cobra's winning streaks on the
race track boosted them into the stratosphere, and becoming the de
facto best American sports car ever made.
This 1964 Shelby Cobra 289, CSX2518, was billed to Shelby American
on June 21st, 1964, and was shipped to Los Angeles on July 30th
aboard the SS Dongedyk. On November 3rd, 1964 once the Cobra was
completed at the Los Angeles headquarters it was invoiced to
Reynolds Motors, Inc. in Syracuse, New York, delivered by a Shelby
transporter. According to the World Registry of Cobras and GT40s,
the car's MSRP was $6,150.05.
The 289 Cobra first appeared with its owner Ray Danton in Colorado
in the late 1970s who in 1981 brought the car to Bill Murray of
Longmont, Colorado for racing preparation where after he entered
the car in the SCCA races at Road Atlanta. John Baldwin became the
next owner of the car who commented that it was one of the
best-handling Cobras he had ever driven.
The Cobra was later acquired by its most recent owner, Roger Werner
Jr. of Greenwich, Connecticut. The founder of Speedvision and the
Outdoor Life Network, he made sure the Cobra was properly cared for
by Cobra Automotive in Wallingford, Connecticut during his
ownership. Before the Shelby left Cobra Automotive for the last
time, it was completely mechanically restored to ensure that it was
in excellent running order, ready to drive without question. During
this time the matching-numbers 289 HiPo V8 engine was completely
rebuilt, now producing an estimated 400 horsepower. When he decided
that it was time for the Cobra to be enjoyed by a new owner, he
spoke to Bruce Canepa after being longtime friends. The 289, being
the rare automobile that it is, took no time in finding its way to
Canepa. Immediately after arriving, the car was put through the
"Canepa Difference" process.
The "Canepa Difference" process is an intensive scrutineering of
all mechanical systems and cosmetic finishes. This attention to
detail ensures that all systems are addressed as needed and that
ever surface is inspected, making sure that the cars that have gone
through this rigorous process are nothing short of perfection. The
entire chassis was cleaned by hand, as well as the interior, engine
bay and trunk. The Cobra had been restored in Guardsman Blue within
the past decade, but Bruce made the decision to take the Cobra to
the next level of fit, finish and quality. Fully serviced and
cleaned, Canepa began the process of restoring the car
cosmetically, gracing the Cobra with its new concours-level paint
work along with an extensive list of other cosmetic finishes,
because nothing is more sinister than an all-black Shelby
Cobra.
Canepa began disassembling the car, removing all trim and
components for paint work. With making the decision to paint the
Cobra black, an immense amount of effort and time was put into the
panel gaps and fitment of panels, with the bodylines finished to a
concours level. The entire car was block sanded multiple times to
ensure an incredibly smooth surface, and prepped to receive a
flawless, deep black finish. With the paint process well under way,
the rest of the cosmetic restoration included most of the chrome
pieces on the car being rechromed to bring back their stunning
shine. FIA alloy wheels were refinished and added to the car, and
the roll bar was powder coated black to blend in with the rest of
the Cobra. This extra care and level of detail would pay dividends
with the new concours-level paint work that would soon be
finished.
When done, the Shelby was reassembled, buffed and polished to a
concours-level, and final touches made to create a truly menacing
and stunning Shelby 289 Cobra. This level of prep and work is only
accomplished with 500 plus hours of labor by the most skilled
workers. Canepa also installed a new convertible top after
restoring the framing and sourced new side curtains, and the car
now presents as a stunning example of what a Shelby 289 Cobra
should look like. Pair the concours-level cosmetic restoration by
Canepa with the mechanical restoration by Cobra Automotive, this
Cobra is the definition of stunning. Being one of the most iconic
and American sports cars within the past century, the Shelby Cobra
289 never disappoints. A pleasure to drive and as close to an art
piece that you can drive aggressively, this Cobra will leave you
wondering why you'd want to drive any other roadster.