1964 Shelby Cobra 289 (CSX leaf-spring)
- Engine
- 289 cu in (4.7L) Ford V8
- Colour
- Wimbledon White
Chassis CSX 2255 is a 1964 Shelby Cobra 289 from the original production run of 655 leaf-spring cars, delivered new to California in Wimbledon White. Purchased in December 1966 by college student Richard Pryor of Carmel-by-the-Sea, who fitted Borrani wheels and headers from Charles Parsons' Cobra before using it in autocross events. After several decades in American ownership, the car was exported to Britain in 2015 and subsequently restored to factory specification by RW Racing Services.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold €623,750 (≈ $686K)
- 1964 →Factory deliveryFirst California ownerpartial documentation
Car was finished in Wimbledon White and delivered new to California; no further details on this owner are provided.
- 1966-12-01 →Private saleRichard Pryorpartial documentation
College student based in Carmel-by-the-Sea who paid roughly $3,200 when the car had under 5,000 miles. He added Italian Borrani wheels and headers sourced from Charles Parsons's race Cobra, then entered the car in autocross.
- → 2015Acquisition unknownDavid Lerianpartial documentation
Described as a repeat Cobra collector; the car remained stateside throughout his ownership and was repainted yellow at some point during this period.
- 2015 →Private saleCurrent vendorpartial documentation
Purchased the car and exported it to the UK, then commissioned RW Racing Services to service it and prepare it for road registration. Between 2018 and 2019 the wheel arches were restored to original form and the exterior was repainted in the factory Wimbledon White. A Blakeney Motorsport inspection report dated November 2025 is on file.
Competition
- —Autocross eventsDriver: Richard Pryor
Owner Richard Pryor entered the Cobra in local autocross competition after fitting headers from Charles Parsons's race car and ordering Borrani wheels.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2015ServiceRW Racing Services
Full service carried out and car registered for road use in the United Kingdom following its export from the US.
Workshop is located in the Motorsport Valley region of England.
- 2018BodyworkRW Racing Services
Wheel arches were returned to their original factory configuration and the bodywork was repainted in the correct Wimbledon White factory colour.
Work took place across 2018 and 2019.
- 2025InspectionBlakeney Motorsport
A formal condition inspection report was produced and is held on file.
- —Modification
Borrani 7-inch wheels sourced from Italy were fitted, and exhaust headers from Charles Parsons' Cobra were installed.
Carried out by or at the direction of Richard Pryor during his ownership.
- —Bodywork
Car was repainted from original Wimbledon White to yellow at an undetermined point during its time in American ownership.
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