Chassis No. CSX 2242 Engine No. 4032 In Carroll Shelby’s decorated career as a professional racing driver, the Texan piloted some of the most competitive and successful race cars ever to grace a circuit—the Maserati Tipo 61 “Birdcage,” Ferrari 750 Monza, and Aston Martin DBR1 to name just a few. Retiring from driving at the pinnacle of international motorsport after taking first place overall at Le Mans, Shelby returned to the United States in 1960 to begin the next phase of his career as a constructor. If he had learned anything in his decade of racing overseas, it was that lightweight, simple chassis construction made race-winning cars. Fortunately for him, a tried and tested, nimble British roadster had just lost its engine supplier. AC Cars, seeing the potential to compete with the new Jaguar E-Type, and Ford, eager to beat the Corvette, supplied the chassis and engine respectively, uniting at Los Angeles-based Shelby-American Inc. in a feat of automotive alchemy to become the legendary Shelby Cobra. Naturally, a number of alterations had to be made to the chassis before shoehorning the 260 cu-in small-block V8 into the engine bay previously occupied by a Bristol straight-six. A slightly thicker frame, extra cross bracing, stiffer springs, wider wheels and tires, and beefier gears, axles, and U-joints were all employed to contain added power. It was enough, but only just, with Road & Track writing in their test, “With so much power on tap, the inept or inexperienced could get into considerable trouble, but a middlin’-good driver can certainly get the car around a racecourse in a hurry.” After a brief run of 75 cars, Shelby saw fit to add even more power, adopting the larger 289 cu-in V8 for 1963 and later redesigning the chassis once again to accept rack-and-pinion steering. Shelby’s more power, less weight formula proved to be a success on the track and the street, as he knew it would—winning the 1963 SCCA National Sports Car Championship and selling faster than Shelby American Inc. could build them. According to the SAAC World Registry, chassis number CSX 2242 was dispatched from AC Cars to Los Angeles, California, on 17 December 1963 aboard the SS Loch Garth. The Princess Blue over red leather Cobra was subsequently transported to Shelby American Inc. in Venice, California, where it was mated to its 271-horsepower, 289 cu-in Hi-Po V8 engine (number 4032) and four-speed manual transmission. Before it left Shelby American, CSX 2242 was also generously equipped with “Class A” accessories including “aluminum rocker covers and WSW tires, less a luggage rack, ($250.50); dual 4V manifold/carburetors (194.50); large oil pan ($85); and 5 quarts of antifreeze ($3.55).” In Shelby Cobra Fifty Years by marque expert Colin Comer, Comer notes the significant desirability of CSX 2242’s factory color scheme as well as what he terms its “Factory Competition Options” referring to its four-barrel intake setup including two Carter AFB carburetors on a Shelby aluminum intake with progressive throttle linkage and Stelling Heiling chrome air cleaners. Fergus Ford Inc. of Skokie, Illinois, received an invoice in the amount of $5,728.55 for the Cobra on 27 February 1964. While the original owner is not recorded, they are believed to have relocated the car to Texas in the late 1960s where it was later purchased by Clark Van Nostrum of Greenwich, Connecticut. Nostrum is understood to have retained CSX 2242 for at least the next 27 years, with the Shelby Registry noting that it appeared for sale in the fall of 1996, described as “red with black leather, 289 with four 2-barrel Webers and race cam, chrome wires, roll bar and hood scoop, less than 1,000 miles since ground-up restoration in 1985.” The Cobra eventually sold to Michael Scott-Smith of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, who would later commission a cosmetic refreshening by the noted Shelby restoration team at Legendary Motorcar Company in Halton Hills, Ontario in the 2000s. While the car was initially refinished in its red 1980s livery, it was desirably taken back to its original Princess Blue scheme shortly thereafter while being represented for sale by Colin Comer. Its striking red leather interior was appointed with matching red wool carpets, latch and link safety belts, and a black soft top. The current owner purchased CSX 2242 from Colin’s Classic Auto in 2010. Diligently well-preserved and cared for since its restoration, CSX 2242 represents a wonderful example of the humble Anglo-American collaboration that took the automotive world by storm. The original Shelby Cobra remains one of the most highly sought-after and frequently replicated cars of all time; with only 463 small-block, rack and pinion, “leaf spring” Cobras ever assembled between 1962 and 1965, this beautifully restored example is all the more remarkable. Furthermore, it should be noted that the Cobra retains its original 289 cu-in V8 (date code 4A20H – 20 January 1964) topped with dual four-barrel Carter AFB carburetors, mated to its original aluminum T10 four-speed transmission (casting date 26 June 1963). Additionally, original and correct number stampings (2242) corresponding to the chassis number can be found on the hood latch, trunk latch, and both door hinges, a telltale sign that this Cobra retains a high degree of body originality. Offered with its jack, top irons, side curtains, and matching wire spare, CSX 2242 is not to be overlooked as it is certain to bring many more years of adrenaline-filled fun.