1963 Shelby Cobra CSX 2149
- Engine
- High-performance 289 cubic inch V8 with low-rise cast-iron intake manifold
- Colour
- White with red leather interior (repainted bronze during ownership, later restored to original white)
CSX 2149 is the 149th Shelby Cobra produced, delivered in July 1963 finished in off-white with red leather. Sold new through a Ford district office in Iowa, it was later purchased in 1969 by Dr. Bryan B. Molloy — a chemist known for his role in developing Prozac — who stored it in a barn for roughly two decades. Rediscovered in 1993, it passed through several hands before author Tom Cotter used it as the centrepiece of his book 'The Cobra in the Barn', after which it was sympathetically restored to its original colour scheme while retaining substantial original components including the engine and exhaust hardware.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate US$1,000,000 – US$1,200,000
- 1963-07-01 →Factory deliveryFord district sales office, Davenport, Iowapartial documentation
Vehicle dispatched from Shelby American and held by this regional Ford office for promotional activities.
- 1969 → 1993Private saleDr. Bryan B. Molloypartial documentation
Indianapolis-based chemist of Scottish origin, known for work on Prozac at Eli Lilly; acquired the car via newspaper ad, had it repainted bronze and fitted with a new windshield, then stored it in a farm barn for roughly two decades.
- 1993 → 1993InheritanceDr. Molloy's spousepartial documentation
Sold the barn-stored car to a delivery man who had discovered it on the property.
- 1993 → 1993Private saleDelivery man who discovered the carpartial documentation
Retrieved the vehicle from the barn and sold it shortly after at roughly double the purchase price.
- 1993 →Private saleDavid Dollpartial documentation
Brought the car to a Shelby Automobile Appreciation Club event in 1994, where it attracted notable interest in the Survivor class.
- → 2005Private saleTom Cotter and Jim Maxwellpartial documentation
Cotter, a noted Shelby authority and author, together with partner Maxwell carried out a sympathetic restoration returning the car to its factory white and red livery while preserving original components; Cotter featured the car in his book.
- 2005 →Private salePresent owner (consignor)partial documentation
Has maintained the car carefully for approximately 13 years prior to consignment.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownBilly Weaverpartial documentation
Described as a well-known Cobra collector; owned the car briefly before selling it onward.
Competition
- 1994Shelby Automobile Appreciation ClubSAAC-19 Survivor class display
Car shown by David Doll in the Survivor category, drawing considerable attention for its well-preserved original condition.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1969Bodywork
The original windscreen was replaced with a new unit sourced from AC Cars, and the car was repainted in bronze.
Work carried out shortly after Dr. Molloy acquired the car.
- —Restoration
A thorough restoration returning the car to its factory off-white and red colour scheme, with deliberate efforts to preserve as many original components as possible, including the high-performance 289 engine, cast-iron intake manifold, exhaust headers, and spark plug wires.
Carried out by Cotter and Maxwell prior to the 2005 sale; the engine, reportedly dormant for 25 years, was restarted with minimal intervention.
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