1963 Shelby Cobra 289 Roadster (CSX 2216)
- Engine
- 289 cu. in. (4.7L) K-code V8, 271 hp, paired with four-speed manual transmission
- Colour
- White with red interior trim
CSX 2216 is a 1964 Shelby Cobra 289 Hi-Po roadster built by AC Cars in the UK and completed at Shelby American's Venice, California facility with a 271-hp K-code V-8, four-speed gearbox, and limited-slip differential. Originally delivered to a San Diego dealership and purchased by architect Henry Hartwell Hester, the car passed through several California and Midwest owners before receiving a restoration to factory specification. It retains original doors, latches, transmission, and key period documentation including its window sticker, invoices, and chassis instruction book.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate US$850,000 – US$950,000
- —Auction saleEstimate US$825,000 – US$900,000
- 1964-01-13 → 1964Factory deliveryPearson Fordfull documentation
San Diego dealership that received the completed car from Shelby American; served as the franchised retail point of sale.
- 1964-09-21 → 1970Private saleHenry Hartwell Hesterfull documentation
Architect and motorsports enthusiast based in Southern California; had the car repainted black in 1967 and suffered minor damage via a dealership incident in 1969 before selling.
- 1970 → 1982Private saleJames Gauthierpartial documentation
El Cajon, California owner who modified the car for Solo I competition and used it in that capacity for several years; a replacement engine was noted at the time of sale.
- 1982 →Private saleKen Championpartial documentation
Personal-use owner who subsequently sold the car through a specialist dealership.
- → 1989Private saleInvestment Motorsportspartial documentation
Illinois-based company that commissioned a return-to-original rebuild, sending the car to Baurle's Autosport in Addison, Illinois for the work.
- 1989 →Private saleGerald A. Schwalbachpartial documentation
Minneapolis, Minnesota owner who acquired the car following its restoration to factory specifications.
- Date unknownPrivate saleGrand Prix Classicspartial documentation
Dealer intermediary through whom the car passed in the late 1980s before moving on to an Illinois-based buyer.
Competition
- —Solo ISolo I competition eventsDriver: James Gauthier
Car was modified for Solo I use and campaigned by Gauthier over multiple seasons during his ownership in the 1970s.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1967Bodywork
Exterior repainted from original white to black at Hester's direction.
- 1969RepairOldsmobile dealership in La Jolla
Accident damage sustained by a dealership employee during a routine oil-change visit was subsequently repaired.
- 1982Engine rebuild
A replacement engine was fitted at or around the time of sale from Gauthier to Champion.
- —Modification
Car was modified for Solo I autocross use during Gauthier's ownership, altering it from stock configuration.
- —RestorationBaurle's Autosport
Comprehensive rebuild to original Shelby American delivery specification commissioned by Investment Motorsports and carried out at Baurle's Autosport in Addison, Illinois.
Work intended to reverse prior modifications and return the car to factory condition.
- —Restoration
Most recent full restoration returning the car to its as-delivered appearance: body refinished in original white, original-type 289 K-code engine fitted, stock exhaust installed, and interior completed in red leather with period-correct fittings.
Original Borg Warner T-10 four-speed transmission retained; original doors, hood latch, and trunk latch preserved with correct stampings.
Are you the owner of this car?
This car's public record is built from its auction and competition history. Register your ownership and privately add your own records to make it a verified Legacy Metrics passport — provenance that backs your car's value at sale and gives your insurer evidence to price against. Roy reviews and verifies every registration personally.