VIN. the works Shelby Cobra Daytona chassis CSX 2286
History of chassis CSX 2286
Chassis CSX 2286 was created to serve as one of Shelby’s two Cobra Daytonas for the 1964 Le Mans 24 Hours. Rather than being built to standard trim, Carroll Shelby had the idea to fit the car with a big block motor and contest the Prototype class where it may have stood a chance of outright victory.
Shelby wanted Ford to supply him with a special all-alloy version of the seven-litre NASCAR motor and, in anticipation, CSX 2286’s chassis was modified with a three-inch longer wheelbase.
The car was then dispatched to Italy where, as per all the Cobra Daytonas bar the original prototype, it would be fitted with bodywork by Carrozzeria Auto Sport in Modena.
While in Italy, one of Shelby’s crew would install the anticipated 427 cubic-inch engine and complete the car ahead of Le Mans.
However, back in the US, Ford were concerned that the 427’s bore spacing and thin block walls would cause overheating. As an alternative, they sent over an aluminium block 390 cubic-inch / 6.4-litre power unit instead.
Unfortunately though, with the GT40 programme in full swing, Ford were still not enthused with Shelby’s idea of building a super high performance Cobra Daytona.
Parts were delayed and the car never got beyond 70% completion.
As a result, Shelby eventually took a standard short wheelbase 4.7-litre Cobra Daytona to Le Mans instead.
Undeterred, Shelby still hoped to complete CSX 2286 with its big block engine, but Ford pulled the plug and the project was abandoned.
CSX 2286 returned to Shelby’s California shop where it was ultimately reconfigured with a standard wheelbase and 4.7-litre / 289 cubic-inch engine.
In this configuration the car was one of five Cobra Daytonas to appear at the 1965 Le Mans 24 Hours. It was entered for Shelby’s number one driver pairing, Dan Gurney and Jerry Grant, who were quickest of the GT cars in practice and qualified twelfth on the grid.
Gurney ran sixth in the early stages of the race, during which time he easily led the GT category. With two hours gone, Gurney had moved into fourth and was still hanging on to the fastest Prototypes.
By 7pm, CSX 2286 was the only Ford / Shelby entry anywhere near the lead Ferraris with all the GT40s in attendance having retired or fallen well back with technical problems.
Two-and-a-half hours later though, the car was beginning to suffer from low oil pressure. Just after 11pm, it came into the pits for a routine fuel stop, but restarted on only one bank of cylinders. CSX 2286 soon needed a lengthy repair to have a replacement radiator fitted.
By 1am, the Gurney / Grant machine seemed to be going well again and was rapidly overhauling the rest of the GT field. Within a couple of hours it had recovered to fifth place overall, some five laps behind the leaders.
However, soon afterwards it was back in the pits for a 20 minute stop with a variety of problems.
Gurney / Grant continued to press on until just after 7:30am when they retired with a broken camshaft damper.
CSX 2286 never raced in period again and was retired from active duty.
It was later purchased by Nick Soprano of Motor Classic Corporation in White Plains, New York. During Soprano’s ownership, CSX 2286 was track tested at Bridgehampton for the April 1981 edition of Car and Driver magazine.
Since then, the car has been purchased by Walmart heir, Rob Walton, of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Notable History
Shelby American
Chassis modified with long wheelbase to accommodate big block engine
Shipped to Italy for completion
Incomplete car returned to California completion
Reconfigured to standard wheelbase and fitted with normal small block engine
Guardsman Blue Metallic with White Stripes
20/06/1965 WSC Le Mans 24 Hours (D. Gurney / J. Grant) DNF (#9)
Later sold to Nick Soprano, White Plains, New York
04/1981 tested by Car and Driver
Later sold to Rob Walton, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Ford - https://www.ford.com
