1963 SHELBY 289 COBRA DRAGONSNAKE CSX2093

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Immediately dominant in American SCCA road-racing from early 1963, Carrol Shelby's Ford-powered, AC Ace-derived Cobra was also highly effective on the dragstrip. Known as the 'Dragonsnake,' the drag Cobra originated with a small group of young Shelby production employees who developed and raced CSX2019 and then CSX2357 to great effect. In addition to the two factory cars, three more were built by Shelby for customers. Numbered CSX2093, this 1963 Shelby 289 Cobra Independently Prepared

Dragonsnake reigns as the most successful drag-racing Cobra of them all. Listed in the Shelby American World Registry, CSX2093 is an original 'street' Cobra billed to Shelby American on February 18, 1963, originally purchased by Hank Hillard of York, PA. It was soon traded to Ladd Motors of Lebanon, PA, at 5,000 miles and then purchased by Jim Costillow, who campaigned the car in road races and hillclimbs until joining forces with Bruce Larson, a noted drag racer and Chevy mechanic famed for his 'USA-1' Camaro Funny. Detailed in October 1965’s Super Stock magazine, Larson invested a great deal in rear-fender flares, American Racing wheels, drag slicks, a chrome roll bar, Sun tachometer and expert chassis tweaks. Side curtains and a Berry Plastics hardtop improved the Cobra's aerodynamics. Refinished in 31 coats of eye-catching Fuchsia Metallic paint, CSX2093 was driven by Bruce Larson and quickly dominated the Northeast for the remainder of 1964 in NHRA A/SP and, when fitted with four Weber twin-choke carbs, AA/SP. National records fell to Larson and CSX2093 in 1965 at the Pomona, CA, Winter Nationals; Bristol, TN, Spring Nationals and U.S. Nationals, with Larson and CSX2093 winning all three events. At the World Finals, Larson towered his own national record, but sacrificed the World Championship by breaking out by over a tenth of a second. The victorious Cobra was purchased by Ed Hedrick of Philadelphia in 1966, who competed with it in NHRA Northeast Division 1 B/Sports, winning all national-level races entered, including the Spring Nationals and U.S. Nationals. Hedrick's run continued through 1967, with CSX2093 winning that year's Spring Nationals, Winter Nationals, U.S. Nationals and World Championship. By 1969, CSX2093 was sold to a new owner, and during the mid-1970s it was refinished light green, reconfigured for street duty, passed through several owners, and won the 'Popular Vote' award at the 1977 SAAC-2 and 1985 SAAC10 events. Peter Livanos, Greek shipping magnate and eventual co-owner of Aston Martin, purchased CSX2093 in 1984 and reacquired it several years later. In 1991, CSX2093 was acquired by Ed Ulyate, who had it fully restored and finished in its iconic 1960s livery. In 1994, the Cobra returned to Pennsylvania with David Young, who sold it in 1998 to Bruce Larson. Larson kept the car in his personal collection and showed it at AACA events, earning Junior and Senior awards at Hershey before selling the car in January 2007. The Cobra passed through two more owners, and it was most recently shown at the Concours d'Elegance of America at St. John's in 2015, where it won 'Best Sound.' Adding to its significance, the Cobra is certified by the AACA as a true and correct original, and it has also received an AACA Senior Award, plus an SCCA Letter of Authenticity. Accompanying the sale is a set of side curtains, two front chrome wire wheels, and a document file including period photographs and time slips from its illustrious racing career. Striking in its best-known Costillow/Larson livery and configuration, CSX2093 stands as one of the most historically significant Competition Cobras in existence. **TITLED AS A 1963 FORD**