Daytona1

Debut of the Daytona:

On February 16^th, CSX 2287 (the prototype) made its competitive debut at the Daytona Continental 2000km race, hence its name "Daytona Coupe". Right off the start its performance was astounding, it led for much of the race setting numerous new records. Unfortunately towards the end of the race an overheated rear differential caused a freak fire in the pits. The fire was put out and the crew felt the car could continue but fearing further damage, Carroll decided to withdraw.

At right Carroll and drivers Dave MacDonald and Bob Holbert pose with the prototype prior to starting at Daytona

1964 Season:

On its next race on March 21, the 12 hours of Sebring, the coupe faired better. Driven by Dave MacDonald and Bob Holbert, the coupe placed 1^st in GT and 4^th overall. This race also marked the debut of a prototype 427 Cobra. Unfortunately this car blew its engine late in the race.
	The photo at right shows Dave MacDonald pulling in for his final pit stop before placing 1^st in GT. Photo: Dave Friedman Interestingly, a similar photo (left) was used by Sports Car Graphic for their June issue to cover the 1965 race as the cover was chosen months before printing. ©1965 Petersen Publishing Co.
		Left: Bob Holbert flies past the crowd at Sebring Photo: Dave Friedman

Nine days after their victory at Sebring, Shelby held a press conference in Los Angeles where he placed his famous lien on Enzo's derrière, vowing their intentions to win the FIA World Manufacture's Cup. With wins at Sebring, Le Mans, the Tourist Trophy, Bridgehampton, and in several of the European hill climbs they were on their way. Ferrari, leading by only a couple of points could see the writing on the wall and used his influence to cancel the final race at Modena, Italy thus clinching the championship.

Left: The man himself, Carroll Shelby

Photo: Dave Friedman

Victory at Le Mans:

By June of '64 the first of the 5 bodies made by Carrozario Gran Sport in Modena Italy was ready for Le Mans. Unfortunately the Italian coachbuilders had to work from drawings and blueprints, as the prototype was busy racing. To their eyes the roofline looked incorrect so they took the liberty of some "artistic license". The second coupe, CSX 2299, had a different roofline than the prototype resulting in it being about 10mph slower than CSX 2287 in the straights. Fortunately it was still fast enough for drivers Dan Gurney and Bob Bondurant to win 1^st in GT and 4^th overall. Unfortunately the prototype driven by Chris Amon and Jochen Neerpasch was disqualified after the Ferrari team spotted it being boosted by a spare battery in the pits late in the race.

Left: The prototype CSX 2287 (#6) and CSX 2299 (#5) in the pits at Le Mans. The difference in the rooflines between the two cars is quite evident in this photo. The subsequent four cars were made with the "correct" roofline.

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