Description:

​​​​​​​2011 Shelby-American Cobra Daytona by Kirkham

• Created in collaboration with Peter Brock, the original designer of the Daytona

• Newly fitted Tim Adams engine with correct 1960-66 T10 4-speed gearbox

• Current FIA HTP Papers valid to 2026

With his Cobra achieving racing success throughout North America, Carroll Shelby’s ambitions were focussed on repeating his 1959 win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with a car of his own design. Recognising that a more streamlined approach than the open two-seater would be needed to conquer European circuits, Shelby turned to a young Peter Brock to pen the design for an entirely new Cobra.

During the Autumn of 1963, Brock began basing his project around an existing Cobra chassis and utilising the aerodynamic principles of Dr. Wunibald Kamm, took just 90 days to complete his radical new model. With its low-swept styling and squared-off body design, the new Cobra Coupe instantly proved its credentials at Riverside Raceway in California by beating the previous lap record by 3.5 seconds. This first outing would hint at the new cars design capability and success that would follow.

Named to celebrate its first race meeting and decisive victory, it is difficult to underestimate the achievements of the Cobra Daytona Coupe. chiefly, it took down Ferrari, winner of 10 FIA sports-car titles in the previous 12 years.

Just six examples of the Daytona Coupes were produced. The car fit into a loophole in FIA rules that allowed manufacturers to rebody an existing model for competition—the same loophole that produced the iconic Ferrari 250 GTO, the Daytona's main rival. It remains the only American car to have won the FIA European Championship and continues to hold a unique position in the history of motorsport.

In October 2011, 10 years after  building the relationship with Superformance in South Africa, who had now made over 100 road going versions of the Brock Coupe, Peter met with fellow UK based historic motoring enthusiast Nick Oundjian for lunch in Pasadena, California, USA. The location just less than 100 miles south of the infamous Willow Springs Raceway where Carroll Shelby and Peter Brock spent many hours running their sports cars in the 60’s, seemed ideal to discuss a new opportunity.

A seventh car, a Super Coupe, was developed but never officially finished. Branching away from the successful popular road going Daytonas that had been created, Peter outlined an ambition to build ‘Number 7’, a car that would be as closely aligned to the original six as possible, and suggested the pattern for CSX2300 as the base.

By the end of October 2012, the aluminium body shell by David Kirkham, Manufactured by WSK Mielec in Poland was on order and the project was on. Peter met with Nick in France to discuss the progress of the project, before coming to Goodwood in August to inspect the car. Brock, happy with the progress, signed the battery box. The project continued, with his consistent consultation.

In 2015, the car was completed in principle. However, engine troubles halted plans for it to be demonstrated as the seventh Cobra alongside the original six at the 50th Anniversary of The Shelby Daytona Coupe at Goodwood Revival. Brock, having travelled over for the event, visited the car and endorsed the project with his final signature on the bulkhead.

In 2017, the creation of this Cobra Daytona was approved to a standard recognised in the presentation of its FIA HTP papers to 1965 specification. The car has resided as part of Nick’s private collection since, with consistent fettling as required.

Now offered for sale in a bid to reduce the collection, this Cobra Daytona is offered with a newly fitted Tim Adams engine, driven through the correct 1960-66 T10 4-speed gearbox with Cobra differential and with its FIA papers still valid until December 2026. This is a rare opportunity to acquire a car with oversight from and endorsed by the original designer and is eligible for a huge variety of events including Goodwood, Peter Auto, Le Mans Classic, Masters Historic Racing and more.

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