1965 Shelby Cobra

• Documented in the Shelby American Automobile Club Registry
• Originally delivered with numerous desirable Shelby factory accessories and performance options
• Featured in MGM productions including Viva Las Vegas, The Killers, and Herbie the Love Bug per the Shelby American Automobile Club Registry
• Winner of First Place in the Popular Vote 289 Cobra class at SAAC-11 in 1986
• Long known within enthusiast circles and featured on the cover of AACA magazine, Antique Automobile September/October 2009

Few American automobiles carry the same mystique and raw appeal as the Shelby Cobra. Born from Carroll Shelbys inspired combination of lightweight British sports car engineering and dependable American V8 power, the Cobra became one of the most successful and influential performance cars of the 1960s. Its competition success, explosive performance, and unmistakable styling quickly cemented its status as a legend both on the road and on the racetrack. Today, authentic leaf spring Cobras remain among the most sought after American sports cars ever produced.

We are proud to offer this 1965 Shelby 289 Cobra, chassis CSX2254, a well-documented example of the marque. According to the Shelby American Automobile Club Registry, the Cobra was originally finished in white with a red interior, and billed to Shelby American on November 29, 1963, before being shipped aboard the SS Ebre and invoiced to Coddington Sports Center of Santa Rosa, California in February 1964. Significantly, the car was extensively optioned from new, equipped with numerous desirable Shelby accessories including dual four-barrel carburetors and intake manifold, front and rear sway bars, chrome roll bar, Smiths heater, aluminum rocker covers, Goodyear Blue Streak tires, and a large capacity oil pan. Such equipment reflected the Cobras dual-purpose nature as both a formidable street machine and highly capable competition car.

Among the most fascinating aspects of CSX2254s history is its connection to several iconic MGM film productions during the 1960s. According to Gary Pike, through the SAAC Registry, the car was originally purchased through a leasing company and subsequently used in Hollywood productions including Viva Las Vegas, the legendary 1964 musical starring Elvis Presley and Ann-Margret; The Killers, the stylish 1964 crime film featuring Lee Marvin, Angie Dickinson, and Ronald Reagan in his final acting role; and Herbie the Love Bug, part of Disneys enormously successful franchise centered around the beloved Volkswagen Beetle character. While Cobras have long been associated with celebrity culture and motorsport glamour, few examples can claim direct ties to such recognizable films and stars of the era. This unique Hollywood provenance sets CSX2254 apart from many other surviving Cobras and adds an intriguing layer to its already compelling history.

Following its early years in California, the Cobra passed through the hands of numerous enthusiasts and collectors who continued to develop and personalize the car in the spirit of the period. During the 1970s and 1980s, CSX2254 received a comprehensive restoration and a variety of performance enhancements typical of serious Cobra ownership at the time. Richard Dwyer treated the car to a full restoration, refinishing it in lime green while fitting a rebuilt 289 engine with headers, a high rise intake manifold, fresh black upholstery, and new soft top. Subsequent owner Steve Baker further developed the Cobra with GT40 cylinder heads, roller rockers, an Aviaid oil pan, Weber carburetion, six spoke Halibrand style wheels, a drivers roll bar, and white side pipes, creating a highly aggressive and visually striking interpretation of the small block Cobra.

By the mid-1980s, the Cobra had become a well-known presence within the Shelby community, earning First Place in the Popular Vote 289 Cobra class at SAAC-11 in Dearborn, Michigan in 1986. The car later appeared on the cover of the September-October 2009 issue of AACA magazine, further reinforcing its standing among recognized and documented Shelby automobiles.

Importantly, several original identifying numbers remain present on the car today, including the hood and trunk latch stampings, details closely scrutinized by knowledgeable Cobra collectors and restorers. These surviving factory markings further support the authenticity and continuity of this well documented example. Included in the sale are a pair of film posters that the car was featured in, The Killers and Viva Las Vegas.

Today, CSX2254 represents the quintessential early Cobra. Its star-studded history, period competition inspired upgrades, and appearance in prominent enthusiast circles all contribute to its appeal. Like many Cobras, the car evolved over decades of enthusiastic ownership, reflecting the way these cars were used, enjoyed, and modified during their active lives rather than preserved as static objects.

Few sports cars deliver the same visceral experience as a small block Cobra. Compact dimensions, immense V8 power, and razor-sharp responses combine to create one of the most exciting drivers cars of any era. For collectors and enthusiasts alike, CSX2254 offers the opportunity to acquire an authentic and highly charismatic Shelby Cobra with a fascinating Hollywood history and unmistakable presence.

Offers welcome and trades considered.