To be sold at the Gooding & Company Amelia Island Auction on March 8, 2013. For further details please visit www.goodingco.com or contact a vehicle specialist at 001.310.899.1960 or specialist@goodingco.com.
Engine Specifications:
289 CID OHV Hi-Po V-8 Engine
Dual Carter AFB 4-Barrel Carburetors
306 HP at 6,000 RPM
4-Speed Borg-Warner T10 Manual Gearbox
4-Wheel Girling Disc Brakes
4-Wheel Independent Suspension with Transverse Leaf Springs, Lower Wishbones, and Shock Absorbers
About this Car:
Of all the great sports cars built during the 1960s, few possess the palpable mystique and legendary reputation maintained by the original Shelby Cobra. Envisioned by Carroll Shelby and developed by some of the most talented engineers in American motor sports, the Cobra successfully combined the best qualities of European sports cars and California hot rods to create a distinctive, Anglo-American character. The classic small-block Cobra, built between 1962 and 1965, achieved an enviable race record and proved instrumental to Ford Motor Company’s dominance of international competition during the mid-1960s.
The story of this particular 289 Cobra begins on September 15, 1964, when AC Cars Ltd. shipped CSX2538 aboard the SS Diemerdyk to Shelby American Inc. in Los Angeles.
Upon its arrival at Shelby’s new workshop at Los Angeles International Airport, CSX2538 began its transformation from a partially assembled AC sports car into a proper 289 Cobra. Consistent with its late 1964 build date, this leaf-spring Cobra was originally equipped with several noteworthy, late-production features such as rack and pinion steering, Ford electronics with an alternator, and American-made Stewart Warner instruments. Furthermore, CSX2538 was fitted with the optional twin four-barrel carburetor configuration. Originally finished with striking red paintwork and black upholstery, CSX2538 was certainly a fitting example of the fantastic Shelby 289.
To enhance the Cobra’s already distinctive appearance, Shelby supplied a generous selection of Class A accessories, including white sidewall tires fitted to chrome-plated wheels and a luggage rack.
On January 11, 1965, CSX2538 was invoiced to Ray Hunt Ford in Daytona Beach, Florida, at a cost of $5,879.05. Delivered by a Holman and Moody transporter, the car arrived in Florida and was sold in early March to its first owner, Andrew Kreider II of Lake Worth. At the time, the new Cobra cost a total of $7,024.87, toward which Mr. Kreider partially traded a 1964 Corvette Convertible. During Mr. Kreider’s ownership, the Cobra covered approximately 1,423 miles before returning to Ray Hunt Ford where a new windshield was installed due to pitting.
Mr. Kreider eventually parted with the Cobra a short year later. The 289 was put up for sale at Hardy-McNeil Motors in Pensacola, Florida, and in June 1966 caught the eye of Richard E. Parker, a San Diego, California, resident. Mr. Parker was visiting Florida en route to his wedding in Huntington Beach, California, when the decision was made to buy CSX2538 for the sum of $5,865.21. We can only speculate whether the Shelby was a wedding present for himself or his new bride; regardless the new couple was elated, driving off in the red Cobra with “Just Married” adorning the rear of the car.
Upon their return to San Diego, Mr. Parker was eventually sent off to Vietnam and the Cobra became Mrs. Parker’s driver. Now outfitted with side pipes, the 289 was certainly a noteworthy sight around San Diego with a young woman at the wheel. Numerous invoices from Mr. Parker’s ownership document his fastidious care of the beloved sports car. By 1968, after a bump in the right rear fender, CSX2538 was reportedly repainted in Firebird metallic green. In1969,theCobrawasofferedforsale,andon a rather unfortunate test drive, an overexcited individual slid the car into a curb. The minor incident necessitated the repair of the front right suspension and no doubt stalled the sale. Nevertheless, CSX2538 was bought by the son of a Phoenix, Arizona, Ford and Mercury dealer in June 1969.
In the early 1970s, Don Roberts reported that the car was in Mesa, Arizona, in a somewhat disassembled state, having been sold to the then-owner of American Fiberglass. Later in
the decade, the car passed to Jim Southard of Marietta, Georgia, who returned the car to its original livery of red with black on chrome wheels.
The sale of the Cobra marked its return to Florida in the care of Buz Benson of Naples. In early 1979, CSX2538 was documented for sale with The Loft of Naples, recording 78,400 miles on the odometer at an asking price of $36,000, a notable sum at that time. Shortly thereafter, the Cobra was sold to John C. Fergus of Columbus, Ohio, who had the car road-registered with the Ohio license plate “Cobra.”
The car remained in Mr. Fergus’ ownership for 29 years, during which time it sat in long-term storage. After resurfacing in 2008, CSX2538 changed hands a number of times before ending up with Peter Schick of St. Louis, Missouri. In 2011, Mr. Schick had some necessary maintenance conducted with Mike Dopudja and spent additional time researching the car. Of greatest relevance was his correspondence with Ned Scudder regarding the engine number, and the eventual understanding that the car’s data tag and engine number were consistent with Shelby American production – therefore believed original. In late 2011, CSX2538 was brought to sale at which time the current owner purchased the Cobra.
Today, the CSX2538 remains a pure and correct example of the legendary 289. Benefitting from dual quads, rack and pinion steering, and numerous other late-production features and options, the Cobra is an ideal collection piece and enjoyable event car. Furthermore, CSX2538 is extensively documented by the original sales invoice from Ray Hunt Ford, the retail Buyer’s Form and Cobra New Car Warranty paperwork, numerous Shelby Bulletins, the subsequent sales invoice from Hardy-McNeil Motors, numerous service invoices from Mr. Parker’s ownership, and additional documentation from the car’s more recent life. The top, top bows, and side curtains also accompany CSX2538.
Generously specified, comprehensively documented, and beautifully presented in its as-delivered appearance, this Cobra is among the finest examples on the market today. For the collector who has been waiting for the ideal Cobra to become available, we encourage serious consideration of this wonderful 289.
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