1963 Shelby Cobra 289
- Engine
- 289 cu. in. (4.7L) Ford OHV V8 with aluminum intake and Holley carburetor, 306 bhp
- Colour
- Guardsman Blue over black interior
Chassis CSX 2147 is a 1963 Shelby Cobra 289, one of the iconic Anglo-American sports cars produced at Carroll Shelby's California facility. Originally invoiced to Jacques Passino, director of Ford's Special Products division, in September 1963, the car carries documented early provenance before passing through several California-based owners over subsequent decades. It retains its original 289 cubic-inch V-8 engine and has been restored to its factory Guardsman Blue over black interior specification.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$990,000
- 1963-09-16 → 1964-11-01Factory deliveryJacques Passinofull documentation
Director of Ford's Special Products division; acquired the car at a corporate discount with accessories including a luggage rack and whitewall tires; returned the vehicle to Shelby American after roughly 14 months with just over 12,000 miles recorded.
- 1964-11-01 →Acquisition unknownUnidentified second ownernone documentation
Early post-Passino custodianship is undocumented; identity and duration unknown.
- → 1974-05-01Acquisition unknownUnidentified third ownernone documentation
Identified only as the third owner; sold the car to Paul Horn in May 1974.
- 1974-05-01 → 1977Private salePaul Hornpartial documentation
Based in Santa Monica, California; undertook a restoration during his ownership, repainting in Guardsman Blue over tan and adding new wheels and a roll bar.
- 1977 → 1978Private saleEdward Bonneaupartial documentation
Acquired through Ferrari of Los Gatos dealership; held the car for approximately one year before passing it to the next owner.
- 1978 → 1982Private salePeter Ballowpartial documentation
California-based owner; received the car from Bonneau approximately one year after Bonneau's purchase.
- 1982 →Acquisition unknownHal Morrisonpartial documentation
Based in Saint Helena, California; subsequently sold the car to Rod Skinner.
- → 1986Private saleRod Skinnerpartial documentation
Based in Napa, California; the car appeared at SAAC-9 in Napa during his period of ownership, displaying a personalized Oregon plate referencing Shelby.
- 1986 →Private saleGary Penirpartial documentation
Also Napa-based; held the car for roughly 25 years, exhibited at SAAC-13, and later stored it in his daughter's California garage after relocating to Hawaii, occasionally driving it on return trips.
- Date unknownPrivate saleTexas-based collectorpartial documentation
Current consignor; has kept the car for approximately five years and commissioned a restoration to its original Guardsman Blue over black interior specification.
Competition
- 1963-02-01Riverside debut eventDriver: Dave MacDonald1st overall
First competitive appearance of the Cobra model at Riverside, California; MacDonald dominated the field in what was described as a convincing victory.
- 1984-08-01Shelby American Automobile Club national meetSAAC-9
The car attended this club gathering in Napa, California, wearing a custom Oregon vanity plate referencing Shelby.
- 1988Shelby American Automobile Club national meetSAAC-132nd in popular vote, Cobra class
Shown by owner Gary Penir in Santa Rosa; earned runner-up recognition in the popular vote within the Cobra category.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1974Restoration
Car was refinished in Guardsman Blue over tan upholstery; new wheels were fitted and a roll bar was added during Paul Horn's ownership.
- —Restoration
Under the current Texas-based owner, the car was returned to its factory-correct colour combination of Guardsman Blue bodywork with a black interior, and the original wheels were refitted.
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