Daytona3

The Coupes After 1965:

Of the six original coupes, five are now in the hands of private collections and have been lovingly restored to original condition (the sixth, CSX2287, is another matter! See the story below)

CSX 2300:

One of the coupes sold at the infamous "Shelby fire sale" was CSX 2300, which went to a Japanese buyer. The car was raced at the 1966 Japan Grand Prix and club races. When the engine blew, the owner, faced with the costs of importing a new race-engine, abandoned the car at a Tokyo used car lot.

Tadashi Sakaii drives CSX 2300 in the 3rd Japanese Grand Prix, 1966

The coupe was purchased by a young high school student (Shin Yoshikawa), who cobbled the car together with an old Fairlane drive train so that it would pass government inspection. (It faced government confiscation and destruction as it was imported as a street-driven sports car but did not meet safety standards) Faced with the expensive taxes on foreign cars, Shin put it up for sale. It was at this time that Shelby had renewed interest in these cars and decided he wanted one back for himself. He had Mike Shoen broker the deal and CSX 2300 was returned to the U.S.

The car was restored for Shelby by Mike McCLuskey and put on public display. Shelby had used the car as collateral for financing his business deals and supposedly, he always had a check in his drawer should he ever need to repay the loan. Unfortunately the loan had come due and before he could get the car back it was sold. The new owner, a stockbroker, realized the value of such a historic car and put it up for sale at the Monterey Historic auction. At the last minute he changed his mine so he put what he thought was an absurd reserve price. To his surprise, the reserve was quickly surpassed and the car fetched an amazing 4.4 million dollars. For a complete history on this car and its amazing post racing history (as told by Pete Brock himself), check out the full story at Speedvision Online.

Currently CSX 2300 is owned by Jim Spiro and rather than store it under lock and key, the car is frequently driven. A great story on this car was on the TV show "My Classic Car".

CSX 2300 at Lime Rock, 2000.

CSX 2601:

CSX 2601 was featured in this April 1969 Motor Trend article:

"In 1965, six Shelby Cobra coupes campaigned for the World Manufacturers' Championship. This car driven by Bob Bondurant and assorted co-drivers, won six races: Sebring, Monza, Nurburgring, Rossfeld, Reims and Coppa Di Enna...and contributed toward a decisive win over Ferrari. Later bought by John Simonson of Grand Forks, North Dakota, it was completely rebuilt and converted for street use. John uses the Cobra to travel between his six service stations spread throughout the state, the farthest 340 miles from home. The aluminum-bodied coupe uses the standard AC-Cobra chassis, is powered by a 380-horsepower 289 Ford with Weber carburetors, and will easily top 150 mph. Only change from race trim: upholstered interior."

CSX2601 being restored by Kent White of TM Technologies

	CSX 2601 Laguna Seca Monterey, 1999. Unfortunately I don't know which coupe is beside it. Photographer: unknown?

CSX 2286:

CSX 2286 while owned by George Stauffer

CSX 2286 and it's current owner, Rob Walton of Wal-Mart fame, at Watkins Glen, 2001

CSX 2299:

Here's a photo of CSX 2299 in its current home at the Shelby American Collection, Boulder Colorado.

This photo was graciously supplied by Art Colley, a member of the Club Cobra forums. A great place to learn about them, buy or sell parts, or talk to owners or "wanna-be owners" (like me).

CSX 2287:

An interesting story follows chassis CSX 2287. It was the prototype that raced at Daytona in 1964 and was the only car built completely in America. Its whereabouts was not clearly known for many years, but it was rumored to be languishing in a garage in poor condition, owned by a woman who would not part with it despite offers from serious collectors. The following photos are reportedly of this historic car.


	These photos are reportedly of CSX 2287 while in storage.

After many years of rumors and hearsay about CSX 2287, the location of the prototype was recently confirmed. After years of hanging on to this historic car, the owner killed herself by setting her body and her two pet rabbits on fire. A long time friend of the woman, who claims the car was given to him (and has a signed transfer), went to check on it only to find it missing. The woman's mother had sold the car for $3 million to a broker who in turn sold it for $3.75 million. A legal battle has now developed over ownership. Currently the woman's family, her friend, and famous rock producer Phil Specter (a former owner), have all filed claims of ownership. Check out a press story here.

Left and below: CSX 2287 as it sits today

This photo is used with the permission of Curt Scott of Crown Publishing Company and the CobraCountry website.

The July 2001 issue of Car & Driver also features an article on CSX 2287 including a neat photo of Phil Spector and the car. Stay tuned for more developments to this fascinating story as information becomes available.

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