1963 Shelby Cobra

1st of 6 Total LeMans Production Spec Cars Built by Shelby American in Venice, CA
First Factory Constructed Racecar from Shelby
Extensive Racing History
Ground Up Restoration done by Bill Murray
Le Mans Modifications including a 37-Gallon Fuel Tank, Rack & Pinion Steering, FIA Hood Scoop, Short Trunk Lid, Side Cooling Vents, etc.
Finished First Overall and First in Class at the inaugural running of the ARRC National Championships in 1964 at Riverside

In 1963, AC Cars partnered with Carroll Shelby to race at Le Mans. They prepared two cars, adding magnesium wheels, larger fender flares, an FIA hood scoop, a 37-gallon fuel tank, and a moderately tuned 4.7-liter V8. The race was dominated that year by Ferrari, the first five places swept by the big red 250 and 330 V12s. While one of the AC/Shelby cars retired after 117 laps, the other went on to a credible seventh place finish overall, third in the GT class, and first in the 4 5-liter class.

With this success, Shelby was off to the races. Six more Cobras were built to LeMans Specification. CSX2136 was the first. Arriving in America in June of 1963, it came equipped with the 37-gallon Le Mans tank, rack-and-pinion steering, side vents of the style that would appear on later production cars, a short trunk lid (hinged at the bottom), and the FIA scoop.

To add to it, CSX2136 was the first Shelby American Factory Team Cobra to be built as a race car at the AC Cars Factory in England. All cars produced before this Cobra were built as streetcars, and eventually converted into racecars. This was the first factory-built racecar from Shelby

At Shelby, the car was modified to compete in domestic SCCA/USRRC road racing events. It was outfitted with a high-output 289 V8, four 48 IDM Weber carburetors, a Nassau exhaust system, electric fuel pump, oil and differential coolers, front and rear sway bars, Konis, kidney-bean Halibrands, Goodyear racing tires, additional instrumentation, and more.

Painted black, CSX2136 was completed in time to debut at a September 8 SCCA/USRRC event at Elkhart Lake. Piloted by team drivers Bob Bondurant and Dave MacDonald, it finished fourth overall and won the GT class. Interestingly, for this Road America 500, CSX2136 was co-entered by Steve McQueen/Shelby American. The car was then shipped back to Southern California and repainted Light Metallic Blue. Its next outings were also notable: a third with Lew Spencer at the wheel at the L.A. Times GT race at Riverside in October and, later that same month, a second overall at the Hawaiian GP with Dave MacDonald again in the drivers seat. CSX2136s last appearance as a team car was in December at the1963 Nassau Speed Week. Frank Gardner drove the roadster to a GT win in the Nassau Trophy Race, finishing seventh overall.

After Nassau, CSX2136 went back to Shelby American for refurbishing. It was sold in January of 1964 to Ed Leslie who repainted the car black, nicknamed it Snake, and cleaned house on the SCCA circuit. During the 1964 season #2136 would still have Shelby Factory support with the goal of winning the ARRC Championship. #2136 won its class in seven of the eleven races entered, including the major victory at the 1964 ARRC finale at Riverside. Leslie also drove the Cobra to overall and GT class wins at the May 8 USRRC event at Laguna Seca.

After winning the 1964 SCCA National Championship, Leslie sold the Cobra to Foster Alexander. Campaigned throughout the northwest, it continued its winning ways. Foster piloted CSX2136 into the 1965 ARRC National Championships in Daytona where it finished third both overall and in its class.

Eber later sold the car to Steve Baker, who turned it over to legendary racer, Cobra historian, and restoration specialist Bill Murray. Murray meticulously brought #2136 back full circle to its original 1963 configuration as a Shelby Team racer. Upon completion in 1992, the car won a first place in the AACAs Junior Competition Car division. The car has been carefully stored and maintained in collections ever since.

Cobra number CSX2136 is incredibly rare, one of only six of these competition Cobras ever built and the first of only three Factory Team LeMans Production Cobras. Its record on the racetrack, both with Team Shelby and in the hands of individual enthusiasts, is absolutely stunning and was a major contributor to the early racing dominance of the Shelby Cobra in the US.

Upon arrival at Canepa, every collector car for sale is put through an extensive and diligent process called the Canepa Difference. This includes a major and comprehensive mechanical inspection where all systems are checked, serviced, and restored as needed. They also receive award-winning concours-level detailing, including a thorough cleaning of each and every surface.