Vehicle Description
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1964 Shelby 289 Cobra
VIN: CSX2220
Originally owned by famous Hollywood celebrity hairstylist Jay
Sebring
Extensive documented mechanical maintenance and work by Cobra
experts Mike McClusky and Rare Drive, Inc.
Retains its matching-numbers engine
289 cubic inches, est. 345hp
Registered in California since new, has original license plates
Exceptional late production rack & pinion example of the 289
Cobra
Menacing black exterior, black leather interior
4-speed manual transmission, 4-wheel hydraulic disc brakes, 4-wheel
independent suspension
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 racers Dan Gurney, Ken
Miles, Phil Hill, Bob Bondurant, and many other celebrities such as
Steve McQueen, Brucer Meyer, Hank Williams and others, 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 on the race track
boosted them into the stratosphere, and became the de facto best
American sports car ever made.
This fantastic example, chassis CSX2220, was billed to Shelby
American, Inc. on November 8th, 1963, and shipped to Los Angeles
six days later aboard the SS Villanger. It was invoiced on January
22nd, 1964, to Executive Car Leasing Company of Los Angeles, and
the invoice read: "1 COBRA-Ford, Chassis #2220, Princess Blue"
($5,195.00); with Class "A" accessories, including aluminum rocker
covers, WSW tires, and a luggage rack ($280.00); radio and antenna
($45.50); rearview mirror ($4.20); 5 quarts antifreeze ($3.55); and
"dealer handling" ($250.00) for a total of $5,778.75.
The Cobra was picked up at Shelby American by Executive Car
Leasing, registered with the California plate "LIW 535" and then
sold to famous Hollywood figure, Jay Sebring, known for styling the
hair of some of the era's most important celebrities and movie
stars. Having served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean war for 4
years, he returned to Los Angeles to open his own salon. Instead of
using clippers like most barbers, he washed, scissor cut and blow
dried his clients hair. He used a variety of innovative care
products and paved a path for himself creating a wide array of new
men's hairstyles. Often charging up to 50 times what a normal
haircut cost, Sebring's star-studded client list grew to include
the likes of Steve McQueen, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Paul
Newman, Warren Beatty, and Kirk Douglas.
After taking delivery of his 289 Cobra, Sebring attended the
Carroll Shelby School of High Performance Driving. In 1964, Sebring
met actress and model Sharon Tate, and quickly began a
relationship. While the couple ultimately did not stay together,
they remained close friends and regularly partook in each other's
company. Unfortunately, on the night of August 8th, 1969, members
of the Manson Family headed to the house where Sebring and Tate had
gone after dinner. The Manson Family members murdered Jay Sebring
and Sharon Tate, along with their friends Wojciech Frykowski and
Abigail Folger. Five days later, Steve McQueen gave the eulogy at
Jay Sebring's funeral.
CSX2220 was purchased in 1978 by California-based vintage racer and
collector Phil Gallant, who also happened to own CSX2301, an
important "cutback-door" FIA Cobra. He had restoration work
performed by noted Cobra expert Mike McClusky, which included
repainting it and sleeving the frame to reinforce it. In 2003, the
car was sold to well-known collector Roger Williams of New Canaan,
Connecticut.
Williams sent the car to Peter Klutt's Legendary Motorcar Company
in Canada, who had the engine expertly rebuilt by a highly regarded
Canadian NASCAR mechanic. It was reportedly balanced, blueprinted,
and polished, making 345hp when dyno tested.
Williams greatly enjoyed CSX2220, taking it on five Cobra tours and
showing it at multiple events. He had work performed by Cobra
specialists Rare Drive, Inc. of New Hampshire, and Cobra Automotive
in Connecticut. Williams kept the car registered on its original
California black plates, complete with numerous inspection stickers
over the years. These original California plates still accompany
the car to this day.
The Cobra's engine number (3471) matches the numbers on its footbox
tag (which reads PA 3471). It is complete with its jack, knock-off
hammer, soft top, side curtains, and tonneau cover.
Upon arriving at Canepa, the Shelby was put through the "Canepa
Difference" process, which consists of a industry-leading
inspection of all mechanical and cosmetic items. Proving to be in
excellent mechanical condition from the past owner's fastidious
attention to detail, the Cobra was given a complete 100-hour
concours-level detail from top to bottom, including a multi-state
foam pad polish of its menacing black paint, with the black leather
interior receiving a similar level of attention. With fantastic
provenance, presented in the stunning black over black combination,
it is hard to find a better Shelby 289 Cobra. Now ready for its
next owner to continue the legacy of Shelby and drive, this 1964
Shelby 289 Cobra is a perfect addition to any collection, and is
one of the world's greatest sports cars.
