Vehicle Description
It was Road & Track that referred to piloting a Shelby Cobra as
"driving at its brightest"; this car being no exception. Noted for
its pivotal role in the early days of Shelby American, CSX 2032 -
more commonly known as the "Lance Reventlow Cobra" - is a true
one-of-one. Invoiced to British-born American entrepreneur, racing
driver and heir to the Woolworth fortune Lance Reventlow on January
2, 1963, CSX 2032 represents an important chapter in Carroll
Shelby's enduring legacy. As the 32nd Cobra scheduled for
production, CSX 2032 was one of only 73 Cobras fitted with the
early 260ci Hi-Po V8 engine. Delivered in white with a red
interior, the Cobra was highly optioned, having been ordered with
nearly all factory-available competition items - the sole exception
being the Halibrand "kidney-bean" alloy knock-off wheels. The car
was also optioned with bumper guards, wind wings, sun visors,
safety belts and other items more commonly found on road-going
Shelbys. As indicated in the World Registry of Cobras & GT40s,
"Reventlow may have simply decided to order a Cobra with as many
available options as possible in an effort to lend financial
support to his friend Shelby." As longstanding friends, Shelby and
Reventlow had raced together on numerous occasions. Reventlow owned
Scarab, an American racing constructor noted for being the first
American outfit to venture into the open-wheeled world of Formula
1. Based in Venice, CA, Scarab employed engineering genius Phil
Remington as chief engineer, as well as famed racing driver Ken
Miles. In June 1962, Reventlow ceased operations of Scarab's racing
endeavors and leased his shop and manufacturing facility to Carroll
Shelby for use in developing and building the Shelby Cobra.
Included in the sale of this historic Shelby Cobra is the first
original rent check that was given to Reventlow Automobiles Inc. on
August 15, 1962. This check, as well as CSX 2032, represents the
business relationship Carroll Shelby shared with Lance Reventlow.
Wonderfully documented, CSX 2032 boasts a storied history all its
own. The car traded hands through a number of high-profile
collectors and in the late 1970s (1977-78) was campaigned as a
winning race car. In its current configuration, the car is powered
by a Bob Prouty-built 289ci V8 engine built to Hi-Po
specifications. During its days as a racer, the fenders were flared
to accommodate larger wheels and tires. Although several upgrades
and modifications have been added, all parts and components are
proper and correct Shelby Cobra parts, and CSX 2032 still maintains
its original body, frame and chassis. The car currently presents in
black with solid white roundels adorning the side and yellow
stripes over the front fenders. This 1962 Shelby Cobra CSX 2032 is
one of the most important cars to the legacy of all Cobras built
and all Shelbys still being built today.