According to the Shelby Registry, CSX2009 was invoiced to Shelby American on 8th August 1962, and delivered to Heathrow Airport, for air shipment to Los Angeles. Although originally invoiced to Ford Motor Company's General Office, the car was then re-invoiced to Holman Moody, who were the works Ford stock car team. CSX2009 was then fitted with a unique Nascar style full roll-cage, uprated sway bars, Goodyear race tyres and unique louvred ventilation at the rear of the bonnet, and readied for the 1962 International Bahamas Speed Week at Nassau. Taking on the glorious new Ferrari 250GTOs, driver Augie Pabst had a DNF and an 8th overall in the new 260 cubic inch, wire-wheeled Cobra, in so becoming the second factory racing Cobra ever to race - the first being CSX2002.
Following Nassau, CSX2009 was returned to Holman Moody and re-prepared for the 1963 Sebring 12 hours - to be run as part of the strong Shelby Team effort. Upgrades included larger 289 cubic inch high-performance V8 power from the Ford factory, new close ratio gearboxes, and wider cast magnesium wheels. Plus also the additional long-distance lighting. The pace of the Cobras was excellent, but ultimately issues forced them out of contention, the highest placed car being Phil Hill, Ken Miles, Lew Spencer in CSX2127, taking 8th in GT. Dan Gurney and Phil Hill would be next up in CSX2128 followed by Peter Jopp and Jocko Maggiacomo in CSX2009. CSXs 2002, 2026 and 2051 would DNF.
In the summer of 1963, CSX2009 would pass to works-associated driver Tom Payne who would campaign the car heavily throughout 1963 and '64 with either himself of American ace Ray Cuomo driving. CSX2009 would be a multiple winner in USRRC and SCCA events while run by Payne's team.
Clifford "Red" O'Grady would become the new owner for the 1965 season, repainting the car silver-blue. After only a few races, the car was sold to Corvette racer Bob Beinerth who would go onto claim 6th overall in the 1966 Central Division SCCA championship. up for sale again for 1967, listed as "Cobra 289, all comp options, ex-factory car, webers, 36-gallon tank, 9 mag wheels, no windshield or top $3300" - the new buyer was Gene Fisher of Carlisle, Pa. Fisher would reduce the roll-cage down to a more conventional hoop set-up for the 1967 season, and would make CSX2009 a multiple winner again in SCCA, before selling the car to Dick Stockton at the end of the 1968 season. Stockton would again get CSX2009 back to winning ways in SCCA, enjoying two successful years with the old warhorse! Next up was Bill Knauer who became the new custodian of CSX2009 at the end of the 1970 season. After race-preparation by Sam Feinstein, CSX2009 was entered in the The Watkins Glen “500” held during the SCCA Nationals and Trans-Am weekend August 13,14 and 15, 1971. During qualifying, Knauer was hit by a Mustang, sustaining enough damage to end his weekend. Knauer had a second car CSX2440 that he pressed into action for the remainder of the 1971 season, and the damaged CSX2009 was sold to Peter Salas of Connecticut. Salas re-advertised the "289 Cobra, former race car of Gene Fisher, Dick Stockton, and Bill Knauer... $7000", soon finding its next owner, Don Spillaine of Cobra Performance. It would then pass from Gordon Gimble to Tim Zurbriggen in 1979, who finally set out restoring the car to its former glory. According to the Shelby Registry "The finished car was painted red, and featured cut-back doors, 6.5" and 8.5" FIA Halibrands, chrome roll bar, side pipes, hood scoops, oil cooler scoop, quick jacks, webers, fuel cell, and rack and pinion steering" SAAC Registry 1997. Using the damaged chassis in the restoration at Baurle Auto Sport in Chicago, the car took ten years to complete to a standard that Zurbriggen saw fit for the Shelby Concours judges. CSX2009 promptly won the SAAC-13 Concours in Santa Rosa 1988 - taking home the "Popular Vote" and "Best in Show" awards. Such was its popularity, a second popular vote bag had to be hung off the quick jack because the first was overflowing! The car would also take third at the prestigious Newport Beach Concours, whilst still being used regularly on the road. After some years away from the concours scene, CSX2009 would be shown again at the 2007 SAAC-32 event in Utah, winning the Peter Brock "Special Recognition" for the best 289 Cobra in the Hi-Performance Class.
In early 2013, CSX2009 was imported into the UK, and has since raced actively across Europe, taking in the great Peter Auto events, including Le Mans Classic. Race-ready with current FIA HTP until 2025, and powered by a Mathwall FIA-legal engine, today the car remains in 1964 ‘289’ spec, and is ready to compete in the great international events such as Le Mans Classic, the RAC TT at Goodwood Revival, tour Auto and Modena Cento Ore. Alternatively, and significantly, it could be modified to 1962 configuration and be a fabulous and potentially winning entry into the Kinrara Trophy, where it would be the only only ex-factory '260' racing in Europe.
A hugely eligible and useable car, well-known to the Shelby American Automobile Club, and UK road registered.
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