by Mike Gulett –
Below are photos of AC Shelby Cobra CSX 2001 that I was able to take in the owner’s garage many years ago. Yes, this is the first production Cobra made, owned by Bruce Meyer.
Shelby Cobra CSX 2001
In July 1962 this car was shipped to the dealer Ed Hugus of Continental Cars in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Ed Hugus installed the engine and transmission and made the car road worthy.
This Cobra went through a couple of owners, was modified to racing specs and then sold to an owner in France where it spent its time either racing or being driven on the street until Bruce Meyer discovered this special Cobra in 2006 in France and brought it to California.
It originally had a 260 cid engine but was later fitted with a 289 cid engine for racing, which is the engine it has today. Rack and pinion steering was also added.
Bruce Meyer had the car painted black but it retains its original chassis and interior. The seats in these pictures are covered.
Car and Driver said it best, in summing up the AC Shelby Cobra,
The Cobra is a shockingly single-purpose car. No frills, no extra sound deadening, only the implements (tube frame, four-wheel disc brakes, fully independent suspension) required for rapid transit. The flat instrument panel has single white-on-black gauges – one to monitor every factor you might need to check, including oil temperature. The external body sheet metal extends right into the cockpit to form the top of the instrument panel and the windshield clamps down on the cowl, in traditional British sports car fashion, just inches in front of your nose.
Let us know what you think in the Comments.
AC Shelby Cobra Prototype on the cover of Road & Track – 1962 – Driven by Carroll Shelby
The AC Shelby Cobra CSX 2001 photos by Mike Gulett were first published in November 2011.
Ed won Le Mans alongside Masten & Jochen in 65 But never got the recognition.