1965 Shelby Cobra 427 Competition (CSX 3006)
- Engine
- 427 cubic inch V8, side-oiler with aluminum heads
- Colour
- Metallic blue with gold Le Mans stripes
Chassis CSX 3006 is a 1965 Shelby 427 Competition Cobra, one of only 19 production examples built, retaining its original aluminium body and factory-fitted side-oiler engine. Ordered by William G. Freeman of Indiana, it was sold to The Chequered Flag in London, which converted it to right-hand drive and campaigned it during 1966, most notably at the Brands Hatch Ilford 500 where Bob Bondurant and David Piper took an outright six-hour victory. Later restored twice to its Brands Hatch configuration, it has appeared at Pebble Beach, the Goodwood Revival, and Villa d'Este.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate US$3,000,000 – US$4,000,000
- 1965-04-07 → 1965Factory deliveryWilliam G. Freemanfull documentation
Took delivery from Hi Performance Motors in Los Angeles; specified metallic blue finish with gold racing stripes. Campaigned briefly in SCCA events before an unexpected European racing contract prompted a sale attempt.
- → 1969Private saleThe Chequered Flagpartial documentation
London dealership that converted the car to right-hand drive, repainted it white with a black hood, and actively campaigned it throughout the 1966 season and beyond.
- 1969 →Private saleEdwin Butterworthpartial documentation
Reportedly entered the car in two additional races after acquiring it from The Chequered Flag.
- → 1977Acquisition unknownJohn Cardenpartial documentation
Acquired as an investment and later resold back to The Chequered Flag.
- 1977 → 1977Private saleThe Chequered Flagpartial documentation
Reacquired from Carden and promptly sold on to Mike Shoen in the same year.
- 1977 →Private saleMike Shoenpartial documentation
Early Cobra and Shelby specialist who commissioned a full ground-up restoration by Geoff Howard, returning the car to left-hand drive and original blue livery with racing stripes.
- → 1989Private saleWes Cadillac-Oldspartial documentation
Originally bought from Jordan, then repurchased a second time before offering the car for sale in 1989.
- 1990 → 1990Private saleGeorge Staufferpartial documentation
Well-known figure in Cobra and GT40 circles; moved the car to David Livingston the same year.
- 1990 →Private saleDavid Livingstonpartial documentation
Vintage-raced the car in 1990, achieving a class group win at Palm Springs.
- 1998 → 2003Acquisition unknownJim Spiropartial documentation
Occasional road user of the car; had a mechanical refurbishment carried out by Dralle Engineering during his tenure.
- 2003 → 2009Private saleLarry Bowmanpartial documentation
Commissioned a comprehensive ground-up restoration by Legendary Motorcar Company of Ontario, returning the car to its 1966 Brands Hatch winning specification; restoration was featured on the television programme Dream Car Garage.
- 2009 →Acquisition unknownEuropean collectorpartial documentation
Identity unspecified; held the car briefly before selling to Gary Bartlett.
- Date unknownPrivate saleAir Force Captain from Dayton, Ohiopartial documentation
Purchased from Freeman and subsequently resold to a London dealership.
- Date unknownPrivate saleBob Jordanpartial documentation
Purchased from Shoen after roughly a decade of his ownership; experienced Cobra collector who later reacquired the car.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownSteve Julianopartial documentation
Regarded as a particularly discerning Cobra enthusiast; traded the car back to Jordan in exchange for a Mark II GT40.
- Date unknownPrivate saleBob Jordanpartial documentation
Reacquired via trade with Juliano; sold to Wes Cadillac-Olds.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownChris Coxpartial documentation
Notable Ferrari collector who subsequently sold the car to Matt Prowse.
- Date unknownPrivate saleMatt Prowsepartial documentation
- Date unknownPrivate saleGary Bartlettpartial documentation
Based in Muncie, Indiana — the same city as the original purchaser. Exhibited the car at top-tier international concours and events over roughly five years.
Competition
- 1965SCCALynndale Farms SCCA raceDriver: William G. Freeman
One of two SCCA events the car contested under original owner Freeman before he accepted a European racing contract.
- 1965SCCASCCA race (second event)Driver: William G. Freeman
Second of two SCCA outings by Freeman; specific venue not identified in the source.
- 1966Brands Hatch Ilford 500Driver: Bob Bondurant1st overall
Race began in heavy wet conditions; Bondurant and co-driver David Piper led from the front row and secured an overall victory after six hours of competition.
- 1966Brands Hatch raceDriver: Chris Irwin
Formula 1 driver Irwin piloted the car at a second Brands Hatch outing during the same season.
- 1966FIA World ChampionshipFIA World Championship race, ZeltwegDriver: Bob BondurantDNF — mechanical failure
Bondurant drove the car again at the Austrian venue but retired due to mechanical issues.
- 1990Palm Springs Vintage RacesDriver: David Livingston1st overall, Group 8
Livingston drove the car to a group victory during its first vintage racing season following acquisition.
- —Edwin Butterworth race entries (two events)
Two further competition appearances reportedly made by owner Butterworth after 1969; no additional details provided.
- —Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
Shown by Gary Bartlett during his period of ownership spanning roughly five years from around 2009.
- —Goodwood Revival
Attended by Bartlett as part of his programme of prestigious international events.
- —Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este
One of several elite events the car was exhibited at under Bartlett's stewardship.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1977RestorationGeoff Howard
Full ground-up restoration returning the car to its original left-hand drive layout with the correct blue paint and period racing stripes.
Commissioned by Mike Shoen, described as an expert Cobra restorer.
- 2003RestorationLegendary Motorcar Company
Comprehensive no-expense-spared ground-up restoration targeting the car's 1966 Brands Hatch winning specification; the entire process was filmed and broadcast on a television series.
Commissioned by Larry Bowman; work featured on the Dream Car Garage television programme. Original period lightweight seats were sourced separately and are included with the car.
- —ModificationThe Chequered Flag
Converted to right-hand drive configuration and repainted white with a black bonnet and a custom bonnet scoop for European racing.
Work carried out prior to the 1966 racing season.
- —MechanicalDralle Engineering
Mechanical restoration carried out to address drivetrain and related mechanical components.
Commissioned by Jim Spiro during his ownership in the period around 1998–2003.
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