The Historic Vehicle Association (HVA) announced that the 1964 Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe (serial number CSX2287) was the featured car at the Shell exhibit at the 2015 SEMA show. Shell presented a selection of vehicles that represent a broad scope of automotive innovation spanning the last 100years and the role Shell played in this development.
The 1964 Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe (CSX2287) was the first of six Daytona Coupes produced. The vehicle was completed over fifty years ago, in January 1964 by Shelby American, Inc. in Los Angeles. The Daytona Coupe was designed by Peter Brock and enabled the Shelby American Cobra race team to compete successfully and win the International Manufacturer’s GT Championship in 1965. This was the first time an American manufacturer won an international race series.
CSX2287, as it is known, is among the most historically significant automobiles in America. Its historic significance is based on its association with important persons and events; its construction and aerodynamic design; and informational value as one of the few racecars from the period that has not been completely restored.
The 1962 Shelby Daytona Coupe was the first automobile to enter HVA’s National Historic Vehicle Register and the Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) that is permanently archived in the Library of Congress.
“Today is an important day for national automotive heritage,” said Mark Gessler, President of the Historic Vehicle Association. “Almost 50 years ago, on November 6, 1965, the Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe set numerous land speed records at the famous Bonneville Salt Flats. The car had clocked more than 1931 miles, averaging 150 miles per hour and breaking the record set by Bugatti in the 1930’s by some 200 miles. It also set 23 national and international speed records. Through our work, we hope to celebrate the contribution of the industry’s pioneers, the vehicles they produced and the preservation efforts necessary to ensure future generations appreciate the unique role of the automobile in shaping America. I want to personally thank Shell for their support of HVA and their ongoing commitment to our Nations automotive heritage” commented Gessler.
“The celebration at SEMA this year was piloted by the coming together of classic vehicles and legendary racers with innovative racing machines and modern automotive personalities. We can think of no better place to put the spotlight on these legends, including Peter Brock and Craig Breedlove, who have paved the way for automotive performance as we know it today,” said Rusty Barron, vice president, North America Marketing for Shell Lubricants.
“Having my Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe design recognized at SEMA 2015 is a great honor and the thrill of a lifetime,” said Peter Brock, Brock Racing Enterprises and the designer of the car. “I’m very proud that the Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe helped lead the way to American’s first win in the FIA International Manufacturer’s GT Championship in 1965. The Coupe’s revolutionary design contributed to new standards for automotive aerodynamic efficiency.”
“Setting numerous international land speed records with the Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe is a testament to the design and durability of the car,” said Craig Breedlove, Driver of the car at the Salt Flats.
Dr. Frederick Simeone, Executive Director of the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum, commented, “We are honored that our 1964 Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe was selected as the centerpiece of the Shell Exhibit here at the SEMA Show. Part of our mission is to ensure the preservation of historically important automobiles, like this Cobra. With efforts like this from Shell, future generations will be able to appreciate the tremendous contributions these cars made to automotive history.”
The Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum is one of the most important collections of racing sports cars in the world. Assembled by renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Frederick Simeone over a span of 50 years, the Museum contains over 60 of the rarest and most significant racing sports cars ever built. The Simeone was chosen ‘Museum of the Year’ by the International Historic Motoring Awards in London.
Technical Specifications – 1964 Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe CSX2287
Approximately 375 HP, Ford 289 CID V-8 engine, four Weber 48 mm IDM downdraft carburetors, four-speed manual transmission, four-wheel independent suspension with transverse leaf springs, four-wheel disc brakes, wheelbase: 90″ (2,286 mm) and top speed: + 180 MPH
