No. 1 on the National Historic Vehicle Register

HAER NUMBER PA-650

The Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe chassis number CSX2287 is nationally significant based on four criteria. First, it is associated with important American and international competition events including the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) International Manufacturers’ GT Championship series and land speed record runs at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. Second, it is associated with important automotive designers, builders and drivers such as Carroll Shelby, Peter Brock, Ken Miles, Phil Remington and Phil Hill. Third, is the significance of its aerodynamic design, and the construction techniques that were used to build the car. Fourth, is its information value as a prototype racecar that retains much of its original materials, components and finishes. The period of significance for CSX2287 was from January 1964 to December 1965.

The Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe CSX2287 was the prototype racing coupe version of the Shelby Cobra roadster produced by Shelby American, Inc. CSX2287 was built from October 1963 to January1964 to compete against Ferrari and other manufacturers in the FIA International Manufacturers’ GT Championship. CSX2287 was commissioned and built by Shelby American, Inc. based on the efforts of designer Peter Brock, racing director Ken Miles, fabricator John Ohlsen and chief engineer Phil Remington. The coupe was built on the same chassis, suspension, engine, transmission and other mechanical components used for the Cobra roadsters. Peter Brock’s aerodynamic body design with a truncated tail section enabled the car to achieve more than 180 miles per hour and compete successfully against Ferrari in the FIA championship. The construction of and assembly of CSX2287 took place in Los Angeles, California. The five subsequent Daytona Coupes based on CSX2287 were partially built in Italy.

CSX2287 was raced in eight events during the 1964 and 1965 FIA seasons. In 1964, Shelby American, Inc., achieved second place in the final standings of the FIA International Manufacturers’ GT Championship based on the strong race results with CSX2287 and the other new Cobra Daytona Coupes. In 1965, Shelby American, Inc. won the FIA International Manufacturers’ GT Championship based mainly on the success achieved with the Cobra Daytona Coupes. This victory was the first American automobile manufacturer victory in an FIA international championship series. In November 1965, CSX2287 was driven to a total of 23 national (United States Auto Club) and international (FIA) land speed records at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. The car was sold by Shelby American, Inc. in 1966 to a private owner and was never raced competitively again.

ORIGINAL OWNER AND USE:

Shelby American, Inc.

Venice, CA

Registration: 1E 013 for California Manufacturer

Shelby American used the vehicle as part of its racing team program in 1964 and 1965.

PRESENT OWNER AND USE:

Fredrick A. Simeone, M.D.

Philadelphia, PA

Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum display and limited exhibition

DESIGNER / ENGINEER / BUILDER:

Shelby American, Inc.

Venice, CA

Peter E. Brock, designer

Ken Miles, race team manager and engineer

Phil Remington, chief engineer

DATE(S) OF CONSTRUCTION: October 1963 – January 1964