Vehicle Description
1964 Shelby 289 Cobra
VIN: CSX 2518
CSX 2518 was originally billed to Shelby American on 7/21/64, and
later shipped to LA aboard the SS Dongedyk on 7/30/64. Once
completed at Shelby American the car was invoiced on 11/3/64 to
Reynolds Motors of Syracuse NY for $6,150.05.
CSX 2518 would next appear in Colorado in June of 1980 under the
ownership of Ray Danton. He would bring 2518 to Mike Dopudja of
Mike's Performance Headquarters in Englewood, CO in 1981 for
restoration and race prep. Dopudja, a master fabricator, is known
for having finished the famous Shelby Type 65 Daytona Super Coupe,
and for prepping the Shelby Can-Am Cobra.
Danton would race the car at the Atlanta Vintage Grand Prix at Road
Atlanta in 1982, as well as showing it at the Old Care Council Show
in Denver, CO. In late 1985 he would put the Cobra up for sale for
$65,000, but it wouldn't be until December 15, 1988 that John
Baldwin of Covington, LA would purchase the car.
Baldwin would enjoy CSX 2518 as a road car for most of the next
decade, taming the car of its racing heritage and make it the
streetcar it is today. The car would be repainted its beautiful
Guardsman blue during his ownership. He would comment that, with
the various suspension modifications from racing, it was the best
handling 289 Cobra he had ever driven. At the SVRA Concours at
Hilton Head the Cobra would win Most Authentic. Baldwin would put
the car up for sale at SAAC-20 in Atlanta, GA in 1995 for
$175k.
In February of 1997 the Cobra would move onto its most recent
owner, Roger Werner Jr. of Greenwich, CT. He would have Cobra
Automotive of Wallingford, CT take care of the car during his
ownership.
Since arriving at Canepa the car has been fully serviced and
thoroughly detailed. In addition to usual Canepa Difference
treatment we also installed a new convertible top with restored
framing, and sourced new side curtains. The FIA wheels were
refinished, as was the roll bar. The original seats were restored,
and the original bumpers were rechromed and refitted. Finishing it
off we expertly tuned the 289 with its quartet of Weber carbs.
Nothing was overlooked on this excellent example of a late, rack
and pinion 289 Cobra, and it is now as ready for the road as it is
for the show circuit.
