1962 Ford Cobra CSX 2001 Serial # 1 – the first production Shelby Cobra and among the initial 75 delivered to the dealers in 1962. This car was originally fitted with a Ford Zephyr straight six-cylinder engine, but was removed and shipped from AC Bristol to Venice, CA where Shelby American dropped in a new 260 V8 and took the car for shake–down runs looking for Corvette owners to humiliate.
The Cobra was bought by Lloyd “Lucky” Casner, Comoradi Racing, to race at the 1964 Le Mans 24 Hour.
The car was modified with a 289 cubic-inch engine and updated to full FIA standards by Ford Racing in France. From 1964-1966, the car was campaigned in Europe and racked-up many victories across the continent. It is the only Cobra to race in the 1964 Tour de France.
The Cobra remained in Europe until 2006, when it was bought by the current owner and returned to the USA. It was restored by Mike McCluskey in Torrance, CA. The aluminum body, chassis and interior remain in their original well preserved state.
Origins and Design: The Cobra was the brainchild of Carroll Shelby, who wanted to create a high-performance sports car. He combined the lightweight British AC Ace roadster with a powerful American Ford V8 engine.
Chassis and Engine: The CSX 2001, like other early Cobras, featured a chassis from AC Cars in the UK. It was paired with a Ford small-block V8 engine, initially a 260 cubic inch (4.3-liter) unit, which was later upgraded to a 289 cubic inch (4.7-liter) engine.
Performance: The combination of a lightweight body and a powerful V8 engine made the Cobra exceptionally fast and agile, making it a formidable competitor on the race track.
Production: The CSX 2001 was part of the initial production run of Cobras. The "CSX" prefix stands for "Carroll Shelby Experimental." This specific chassis number indicates it was one of the earliest cars produced.
Legacy: The Shelby Cobra became an icon of American muscle and performance, influencing sports car design for decades. The early models, like the CSX 2001, are highly sought after by collectors and automotive enthusiasts.
You may purchase a print of the 1962 Ford Cobra CSX 2001 in our dElegance 2012 online gallery.
