1966 Shelby Cobra 289
- Engine
- 289 cu. in. (approx. 4.7L) OHV V8, est. 450 bhp
- Colour
- Black with white stripes
Shelby Cobra 289, chassis CSX 2473, is among the most successful competition Cobras on record, having accumulated an extraordinary tally of SCCA victories and multiple divisional and national championships across the 1960s and 1970s, primarily in the hands of Don Roberts. Converted progressively to full race specification by its first owner and subsequent drivers, the car also excelled in historic racing into the 2010s, including a victory at the 2012 Monterey Motorsports Reunion, and has never recorded a DNF in its documented racing career.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate US$2,200,000 – US$2,600,000
- → 1969Private saleDon Robertspartial documentation
Phoenix, Arizona buyer who extended the competition preparation and campaigned the car extensively in SCCA events, winning multiple championships.
- 1969 → 1972Private saleBob Rodgerspartial documentation
San Francisco owner who continued racing the car in SCCA competition, achieving third-place class finishes in consecutive seasons.
- 1972 → 1974-02-01Private saleDon Robertspartial documentation
Roberts reacquired the car and resumed racing, winning two more divisional championships and multiple SCCA national events.
- 1974-02-01 → 1979Private saleTed Laverackpartial documentation
Salem, Oregon owner who attended the inaugural Shelby American convention in 1976 with the car.
- 1979 → 1981Private saleLarry Lesspartial documentation
San Francisco owner who held the car for approximately two years before it was sold on.
- 1981 → 1984Private saleDon Roberts, Dave Walters, and Jere Clarkpartial documentation
Jointly acquired by Roberts and two partners; Roberts again returned the car to competition, winning at Monterey Historics four consecutive years.
- 1984 → 1987Private saleWerner Oswaldpartial documentation
UK-based collector who held the car for approximately three years before it returned to the United States.
- 1987 → 1996Private saleGeorge Staufferpartial documentation
Wisconsin owner who kept the car for nine years; during his tenure the car was refinished in Guardsman Blue and re-entered vintage competition, including the 25th anniversary Cobra event at Laguna Seca.
- 1996 → 2006Private saleDon Leepartial documentation
Owner who returned the car to the vintage racing circuit after acquiring it in its blue livery.
- 2006 →Private saleMr. Clickpartial documentation
Current consignor who maintained the car with Don Roberts as mechanic and campaigned it actively at historic events, including a notable victory at the 2012 Monterey Motorsports Reunion; also completed a full mechanical rebuild after that event.
- Date unknownFactory deliveryJames Findlaypartial documentation
Carroll Shelby employee who bought the car at a staff discount upon its arrival from England, then upgraded it to competition spec before selling it back to Shelby.
- Date unknownPrivate saleCarroll Shelby / Shelby Americanpartial documentation
Car was returned to Shelby by Findlay, then onward sold to a Los Angeles dealership.
- Date unknownPrivate saleHi-Performance Motorspartial documentation
Los Angeles dealership that acquired the car from Shelby and then sold it to a buyer in Arizona.
Competition
- 1966-11-01SCCASCCA Regional event, TucsonDriver: Don Roberts1st in A-Production class
Roberts' debut outing in the car; immediate class victory in his first race.
- 1968SCCA Southern Pacific DivisionSCCA Southern Pacific Divisional B-Production ChampionshipDriver: Don RobertsDivisional Class Champion
Championship title qualified Roberts for the national runoff at Riverside.
- 1968SCCA National ChampionshipAmerican Road Race of Champions, RiversideDriver: Don RobertsB-Production National Champion — won class by over 30 seconds
Roberts dominated the national runoff field to claim the overall B-Production national title.
- 1969SCCASCCA B-Production events (multiple)Driver: Bob Rodgers3rd in B-Production class
New owner Rodgers continued racing under SCCA rules after acquiring the car for the 1969 season.
- 1970SCCASCCA B-Production events (multiple)Driver: Bob Rodgers3rd in B-Production class
Rodgers repeated his prior-season result in the same class.
- 1972SCCASCCA National events — Willow Springs, Salt Lake City, PhoenixDriver: Don Roberts1st at each venue
Roberts returned to competition after reacquiring the car; multiple national-level wins contributed to a second divisional title.
- 1972SCCA Southern Pacific DivisionSCCA Southern Pacific Divisional B-Production ChampionshipDriver: Don RobertsDivisional Class Champion (second title)
Roberts claimed his second Southern Pacific divisional crown after his return to the car.
- 1973SCCA Southern Pacific DivisionSCCA Southern Pacific Divisional B-Production ChampionshipDriver: Don RobertsDivisional Class Champion (third title)
Roberts secured a third consecutive divisional championship in the following season.
- 1980Monterey HistoricsDriver: Don Roberts1st
First of four consecutive victories at this event during Roberts' joint-ownership period.
- 1981Monterey HistoricsDriver: Don Roberts1st
Second consecutive win at the event.
- 1982Monterey HistoricsDriver: Don Roberts1st
Third consecutive win at the event.
- 1983Monterey HistoricsDriver: Don Roberts1st
Fourth and final consecutive victory in this streak.
- 1987Monterey Historics — 25th Cobra AnniversaryDriver: Don Roberts1st
Driven by Roberts on behalf of then-owner Stauffer; the event marked the 25th anniversary of the Cobra and was held at Laguna Seca.
- 20122012 Monterey Motorsports ReunionDriver: Jim Click1st — Cobra class (39-car field)
Event paid tribute to Carroll Shelby; Click started from third on the grid and fought through the field to win, mirroring the car's victory at the same venue 25 years prior.
- 20142014 Monterey Historics
First competitive appearance after a comprehensive mechanical rebuild; the car had only one practice session and this single race before being prepared for the following season.
- —SCCASCCA B-Production events (multiple)Driver: Don Roberts14 first-place finishes across two seasons
Car was converted to B-Production specification; Roberts accumulated an exceptional win tally over the 1967–1968 period.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2012Restoration
Comprehensive mechanical overhaul following the 2012 Monterey Motorsports Reunion: engine and gearbox removed and fully rebuilt, new rear axle fitted, all uprights and brake calipers reconditioned.
Work commissioned by Jim Click; Don Roberts was involved in overseeing the car's preparation.
- —Modification
Car repainted black with white racing stripes and equipped with larger Halibrand wheels, side exhaust pipes, bonnet scoop, competition rollover bar, and quick-lift jacks to bring it closer to race specification.
Work carried out by or under first owner James Findlay over several months after delivery.
- —Modification
Further competition upgrades including fitment of a wind deflector and shortened springs to complete the race preparation.
Carried out by Don Roberts of Phoenix after his purchase from Hi-Performance Motors.
- —Bodywork
Car refinished in Guardsman Blue during this ownership period.
Occurred during George Stauffer's ownership, prior to 1996 sale.
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