1963 Shelby 289 Cobra
- Engine
- 289 cu. in. (4.7L) V8 with dual four-barrel carburetors
CSX 2095 is a 1963 AC Cobra fitted with Ford's 289-cubic-inch V-8, one of the iconic small-block Cobras that defined American performance in the early 1960s. Delivered new through Coventry Motors of Walnut Creek, California, the car passed through several Oregon owners before a dedicated restoration by noted Cobra specialist Mike McCluskey returned it to original specification. Subsequently driven extensively on Cobra tours by a Florida enthusiast over roughly fifteen years, it presents as a well-used, road-ready example.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate US$850,000 – US$950,000
- 1963-06-01 →Factory deliveryCoventry Motors of Walnut Creekpartial documentation
Car arrived in Los Angeles in spring 1963 and was invoiced to this California dealership in June of that year.
- → 1972-04-01Acquisition unknownArthur Johnstonepartial documentation
Based in Medford, Oregon; sold the car to the next recorded owner by April 1972.
- 1972-04-01 → 1981Private saleRobert C. Ablepartial documentation
Eugene, Oregon owner who had the car repainted dark blue with red leather interior in 1974; original engine replaced with a later 289 V-8 with dual carburetors, and wider wheels fitted during his tenure.
- 1981 → 2003Private saleJim D'Onnofriopartial documentation
Salem, Oregon owner who kept the car for over two decades; during this period the car was finished in black and fender flares were widened to accept broader wheels.
- 2003 →Private saleBill Bryanpartial documentation
Winter Park, Florida owner who commissioned a restoration by Cobra specialist Mike McCluskey in Torrance, California, returning fender flares and modifications to original spec; drove the car extensively on tours over roughly 15 years before trading it to acquire a 427 Cobra.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1974Modification
Car was repainted dark blue; original engine removed and replaced with a later 289-cubic-inch V-8 equipped with dual-quad carburetors; wider wheels installed.
Work carried out during Robert C. Able's ownership.
- 2003RestorationMike McCluskey
Widened fender flares and other non-original modifications reversed to bring the car back to factory specification.
McCluskey, based in Torrance, California, is noted as a specialist Cobra restorer. Work commissioned by Bill Bryan shortly after his acquisition.
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