Shelby Cobra 289 (1964)

Of all the great 1960s sports cars, few are as influential or as infamous as the legendary Shelby Cobra. A fortunate partnership between AC and their lightweight British sports car and Le Mans-winning driver Carroll Shelby resulted in the latest Ford lightweight V-8 sitting in the European fettled chassis of the Ace.

The result of this transplant contributed enormously to Ford’s motorsport dominance of International Sports Car racing during the late 1960s. European chassis dynamics partnered with the power of the new V-8 meant that in competition trim, Cobras achieved an impressive record.

The 260ci (4.2-litre) prototype first ran in January 1962, with production commencing later that year. Exclusively for the USA initially, Cobras - minus engines - were sent from England to be finished off by Shelby in California, and it was not until late in 1963 that AC Cars in Thames Ditton got around to building the first fully finished cars to European specification. After 75 cars had been built, the 289ci (4.7-litre) unit was standardised in 1963. Rack-and-pinion steering was the next major up-date; then in 1965 a new, stronger, coil-suspended chassis was introduced to accommodate Ford's 427ci (7.0-litre) V8, an engine that in race trim was capable of producing well in excess of 400bhp. Wider bodywork, extended wheelarch flares and a bigger radiator intake combined to create the definitive - and much copied - Cobra 427 look.

Leaving the production line in May 1964, this example was shipped to Shelby American the following month, arriving at McAnary Ford in Gary, Indiana in August of that year. Completed new in Vineyard Green, the Cobra passed through several owners in its first few years. The second custodian was Douglas Casey of Chesterton, Indiana who would go on to sell both this Cobra and a Dragonsnake to Mr Olmstead of Vienna, Virginia. Olmstead never drove the Cobra, and quickly sold it to his friend Brooke Perkins in 1965.

Perkins drove the car on the street for about a year, and then decided to go racing. He arranged for two friends, Jim Sutter and Rick Mandelson, to race the car on his behalf until he received his SCCA License. This wonderful car raced as # 65 and #22 at some of the most famous circuits in the USA; Lime Rock, Marlboro, Reading, Mid-Ohio, Watkins Glen, Virginia International Raceway, Summit Point and Cumberland. Mandelson drove the Cobra at the 1967 SCCA Nationals at Marlboro and took 1st in class, lapping Bob Tullius in the process, and breaking Mark Donohue's track record by a full second; quite an achievement for a car which had originally been purchased as a road car!

In 1968, after a couple of years of racing, Perkins sold the car, and the next owner, Dave Johsnon, stripped the Cobra to bare aluminium, repainted it and fitted a new interior. In 1969, the Cobra found home with another racer, Dan Schott of Oshkosh, WI. He would race under the banner ‘My Brother's Place’ racing team. Schott campaigned the car in SCCA B/P as #66 and #69 from 1969 through late 1972 at Brainerd, Elkhart Lake, Blackhawk Farms, Watkins Glen, Mid-Ohio, Michigan International Raceway, Waterford Hills, Nelson Ledges, St. Louis, Lime Rock and Atlanta.

In 1973, after many years of racing, the car was given a rest and returned back to its original street form by its next owner, Steve Mondloch of Kaukaun. He would completely restore the car in 1981 and continue to care for the Cobra until 1990. After passing through another owner the car would end up in the care of the noted collector, Bill Jacobs and began living the a much calmer life, as that of a treasured, collectors car.

In 2011 the car was purchased by one of America’s leading restorers, Bruce Canepa to be used as his own personal car. It was immediately stripped so that a complete nut and bolt restoration could begin. The body was removed from the frame, with the intent of making the Cobra eligible for both concours and historic racing trophies. Soon after the completion of the restoration this car took second place in the Shelby Cobra class at the prestigious Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, pipped by just one car…the first Shelby Cobra ever built.

The completely restored Cobra made its return to racing at the 2012 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, Laguna Seca, which was dedicated to the recently passed Carroll Shelby. Despite starting from last place the Cobra’s post restoration racing debut was a success with the car eventually finishing in 6th Place in all Cobra race.
Following this event the car was invited to participate in arguably the world’s most famous historic race; the Goodwood Revival TT. The car was repatriated to England in 2014 and was further prepared for European historic racing including the fitting of a fresh FIA-specification engine, as well as the fitting of a hardtop. Prior to the event the car was tested twice to ensure the setup was at its optimum. The car was then raced at Goodwood by the then British Touring Car champion Andrew Jordan and DK’s James Cottingham and it completed the race without fault finishing in an extremely credible 7th position.

Few cars have the ability to be suitable for both fast road use and competitive race use whilst being what is probably the most iconic car in existence; a Cobra. It is thus no surprise that Cobras consistently take the top step of the Podium at events including the Tour Auto (Won in 2014 by a Cobra 289). This sensational example is race ready and in full FIA specification, fresh from its recent comprehensive restoration and is eligible for world's most coveted events including notably the Le Mans Classic, Tour Auto, Goodwood Revival and many more.

A previous Goodwood contender, this sensational example has since been refinished in light metallic blue is offered today in full FIA specification, presenting today with a fresh service by Pursuit Motorsport. Whilst the current custodian has used this car predominantly for road use, the Cobra remains eligible for world's most coveted events including notably the Le Mans Classic, Tour Auto, Goodwood Revival and many more. This stunning Cobra is available to view at our showrooms outside London immediately.

• Period SCCA competition history, CSX2433
• Extensive documented history from new
• Invited to race in the Goodwood TT
• Comprehensive restoration by Canepa Motorsports
• Accompanied by its spare engine and Le Mans hardtop