1964 Shelby Cobra
We started digging around for more information on the 1964 Shelby Cobra. We wanted to ty the new search engine A9.com, so we searched on the words "Shelby Cobra". A9 lists web sites, images and books all on one page.
Although, we can't vouch for the accuracy, here's a site listing specs on the 289, 260, 427 and Daytona Coupe. From Carroll Shelby's site, I got some history on cars called "Shelby Cobra's" around 1964. Here's a list -- was there a specific model that you were looking for more information?
February 1964 - Shelby-American completes the first FIA roadster and the
first Daytona Coupe, both enter the Daytona Continental. Bob Johnson and Dan
Gurney finish fourth in an FIA Cobra roadster, Although the Cobra coupe sets the
fastest lap time, it is a DNF due to a damaged differential and a fire.
March 1964 - Shelby-American enters a 427-engined leaf-spring Cobra,
CSX 2166, at Sebring in the prototype class. Ken Miles spins off course in
practice and hits the one tree in sight, but the 427 test mule is fixed for the
race the next day. The Cobras, for the first time, beat the Ferrari GTOs. At
Sebring, Carroll Shelby meets with the Hurlock Brothers from AC Cars and Ford
design engineer Klaus Arning to develop a big-block Cobra.
April 1964 - After Sebring, Cobra led Ferrari in FIA points for the GT
III championship, and Shelby-American decides to go to Europe to race. Two
months before Le Mans, the Sarthe circuit is closed off for testing. The Cobras
and Ford's new GT-40 are tested at Le Mans. Later, on April 26, the Cobra
competes at the Targa Floria. Oddly, the new Porsche 904s triumph over Ferrari,
followed by the Cobra.
June 1964 - The Cobras and Shelby-American win the biggest race of all
in Europe, the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The Cobra is fourth overall and first in GT,
defeating Ferrari.
August 1964 - Ford asks Carroll Shelby to develop a high-performance
Mustang fastback for street and track. Basically, the new car would challenge
the Corvette in SCCA B-production road racing. The Cobras score in Europe at the
Freiburg Hill climb in the Black Forest, at the Tourist Trophy in Goodwood,
England, and at the Sierre-Montana Grand Prix De La Montagne in the Swiss Alps.
September 1964 - The first '65 Shelby Mustang GT350 race cars and
street cars are built.
October 1964 - The prototype 427 Cobra, under
development, is tested at Silverstone in England and later in the States.
November 1964 - Shelby-American completes the 427 Cobra prototype. The
289 Cobra Roadster again wins the SCCA A-production national championship.
More later
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