Summary

CSX2281 Original alloy body 289 Cobra. Older frame-off restoration in correct Wimbledon White with blue LeMans strips, chrome roll bar and wire wheels. Ex-John Moores collection. A unique and important Cobra with known Shelby History. Titled as a 1965.

Details

According to the Shelby American World Registry, CSX2281 was delivered new to Moore Ford Company of North Little Rock, AR as an alloy-body, 289cid street car finished in Wimbledon White over black interior with an MSRP of $5,691.05. It found its way to San Jose, CA by the early 1970s and in 1979, then owner Dave Higgins added a chrome roll bar, wider racing wire wheels and more importantly, treated the car to an era correct Paxton Supercharger, which makes this a very unique example even among these rare Cobras. In 1990 a frame-off restoration was carried out by Ultimate Classics of Kelowna, B.C. Canada, commissioned by then owner Tom Kirkham of TKO enterprises. The engine, transmission and supercharger have all more recently been professionally rebuilt, the motor balanced and blue-printed, featuring Ford Racing SVO aluminum heads, three piece NASCAR ignition, Ford Racing roller cam, roller rockers, high strength steel crank and connecting rods with custom forged pistons, steel gears and custom high capacity aluminum radiator. The current owner, David Bingham of Bellevue, WA, acquired CSX2281 in 1998 from the collection of John Moores, a noted collector and the majority owner of the San Diego Padres Major League Baseball team. Mr. Bingham is a discriminating owner who places an emphasis on driving excellence. He commissioned Vintage Racing Motors in Redmond, WA to comprehensively upgrade the suspension, as well as the gearing, so that the car would be 'dialed in' for reliable, enthusiastic, high speed driving. He also converted the non-original side-dump pipes that were fitted when he purchased the car back to a Shelby race style system with proper rear exiting pipes. The car is lightning fast and handles exceptionally well. This Cobra has participated in several concours events and the car was featured in the Ford Racing heritage exhibit at the 2004 Northwest Historics. It has completed many road rallies, including the Copperstate 1000 (2001, 2002) as well as the Barrett-Jackson Desert Classic (2000, 2001), all without issue and always in the lead pack. **TITLED AS A 1965**