1963 AC Cobra 289 FIA racing car

Chassis No.CSX2112

Sehr gut präparierte AC Cobra 289 in rennfertigem Zustand • gut dokumentierte und interessante Historie • grosses Ersatzteilpaket • ideal für Veranstaltungen wie Le Mans Classic, Spa 6h, Oldtimer GP, Masters Serie und Tour Auto

Very well prepared AC Cobra 289 in race ready condition • well documented car with nice history • comes with a large spares package • ideal for events as the Masters Series, Le Mans Classic, Spa 6h, Oldtimer GP or the Tour Auto

Model history:

A.C. Cars of Thames Ditton in Surrey, England had been producing the Ace since 1954. It was designed by John Tojeiro and featured an independent suspension by transverse leaf springs. The tubular frame body of the vehicle took its styling cues from Ferrari. The original engine used in the Ace was a 1991cc, over-head-cam engine designed by John Weller, the founder of AC, in the 1920s. In 1956, an optional Bristol engine became available. This was a BMW derived, 1971cc six-cylinder engine that was capable of producing 125bhp. With the Bristol engine, the Ace captured many victories on the race tracks around the world. It even won the SCCA Class E championship three years in a row.

In 1959, Bristol ceased its six-cylinder engine production. When Bristol stopped supplying A.C. with the engine, the production of the Ace ceased. Carroll Shelby quickly negotiated a deal where A.C. would supply him with the chassis. Now all Shelby needed was an appropriate engine. In 1961, Ford introduced the 221 cubic-inch small block engine. This was a new lightweight, thin wall-cast, V8 engine that produced 164bhp Shelby approached Ford about the use of the engine for the 2-seat sports car. Ford agrees.

In February of 1962, a 260bhp engine and Borg-Warner four-speed manual gearbox was fitted into the aluminium-bodied Cobras. The AC Shelby Ford Cobra was complete.

In April of 1962, the first Cobra with chassis CSX 2000 was painted yellow and shipped to the New York Auto show where it appeared on the Ford display. The vehicle was an instant success and attracted much attention. Orders came faster than Shelby could build. The prototype CSX 2000 was continuously being repainted for magazine reviews. The purpose was to create an illusion that more Cobras existed.

In 1963 the engine size increased to 289 cubic-inches. Rack-and-pinion steering was added to the vehicle. Two Cobras were entered into the gruelling 24-Hours of Le Mans endurance race. Carroll Shelby himself drove one of the vehicles. Ford had refused to provide an engine so Shelby, with the help of A.C. cars and Ed Hugus, prepare the cars. One of the Cobras managed to capture a seventh place finish, a major accomplishment.
Dan Gurney became the first American driver to win an FIA race in an American car when he won the Bridgehampton 500 kilometer race in September of 1963 while driving a Cobra.
In 1964, the Cobra returned to Le Mans where it finished fourth overall and first in the GT class. Near the end of 1964, the Cobra 427 was unveiled to the press. If featured a new tubular, aluminium body, coil spring chassis, and a 427 cubic-inch, 425 horsepower engine. The car was able to go from zero to 100 mph and back to zero in less than 14 seconds. This combination captured the FIA World Championship for Ford in 1965.

In 1965, Ford discontinued its support of Shelby's racing program and the Cobra 427 production ceased after only 160 vehicles had been produced. AC continued to produce the AC 289 until 1968.

In 1967, the last 427 Cobra was built and in 1968, the last 427 Cobra was sold by Carroll Shelby. Ford had shifted their resources to the new GT40 and modified Mustang programs. In 1966, three GT-40 Mark II's crossed the finish line at Le Mans capturing first, second, and third.

Specific history of this car:

As per the „World registry of Cobras and GT40s“ CSX2112 was sold new in January 1963 as a road car in vineyard green with beige interior. The car was used as a normal road car in the US until a Jim Gould purchased the car in 1975 with the intention to race it in the vintage „Improved B/Production“ class. He fitted some racing parts as bigger wheels, a roll bar as well as side pipes and painted the Cobra dark blue. After 33 years of ownership Gould sold CSX2112 in 2007, still being prepared for historic racing. The car was imported to Europe where it was once more fully race prepared by a marquee specialist in the UK. Today the car is presented in black with a Le Mans style hardtop, a FIA correct 289 engine with Webers and 6.5“/8.5“ Halibrand wheels.

At recent races the car proved to be both, fast and reliable, this makes it an ideal entry for some of the most prestigious events as Spa 6h, Le Mans Classic and many more. Racing Cobras are very much sought-after at present, this is a rare opportunity find such a well prepared AC Cobra 289 for sale.

The car comes with an interesting spares package which includes a second engine, a diff as well as several wheels.

Sources:
• www.ultimatecarpage.com
„World registry of Cobras & GT40s“