Background:
In 1964, Carroll Shelby asked renowned fabricator John Ohlsen to lengthen the chassis of one of the six Daytona Coupes (CSX2286) to replace the 289 c.i.d. Ford engine with a NASCAR inspired big block. The experimental racecar was supposed to be Shelby’s “secret weapon” for the 1964 Le Mans race.

One of the development drivers for the big block car was Bob Bondurant. He stated that the Cobra’s tremendous torque allowed him to burn rubber and get sideways in any gear. He noted that the Shelby “went like stink” and speculated that it could have topped 200 miles per hour at Le Mans. Weighing about 2,200 pounds with world class aerodynamics and the power of a big block, the car had tremendous performance potential.

However, destiny intervened. The truck carrying CSX2286 to Le Mans was involved in an accident that damaged the Shelby too much to be repaired in time for the race. It never ran a lap in anger with the 427 and was returned to small block configuration by Shelby American. Dan Gurney and Allen Grant drove CSX2286 at Le Mans with the 289 engine the next year, but the Cobra did not finish the race.

Continuation Series: The Secret Weapon
The continuation big block Daytona Coupes follow the same specs as the Ohlsen modified race car. All Daytona Coupes will feature an aluminum body that can be painted in any race livery. Each continuation Coupe will feature a 3-inch lengthened chassis and hood to accept a powerful aluminum 427 medium-riser big block motor, which will be supplied by the Shelby Engine Company. The powerful 550+ horsepower engine will be mated to a period-correct 4-speed manual transmission. Each will be assigned a Shelby CSX2000 (CSX2620-CSX2625) series serial number for documentation in the official Shelby Registry.

“This is an incredible opportunity to own a very rare collectible Shelby heritage race car,” said Gary Patterson, president of Shelby American. “Like the six small block cars built in the 1960s, these 427 powered Daytona Coupes will be a lasting tribute to another innovative Shelby racecar that would have caught the racing world off guard. These Coupes will be every bit as much a ‘secret weapon’ as Carroll had hoped for in 1964.”

Rolling Chassis Features:
• Steel Powder Coated 3″ Tube Frame Chassis
• Hand-Crafted Aluminum Body
• Stainless Steel Fuel Tank
• Trigo Period Correct FIA Wheels with Goodyear “Billboard” Tires
• Full Light Package (Headlights, Taillights, Turn Signals)
• Wood Steering Wheel
• 4 Piston Brake Calipers
• Polished Stainless Steel Headers and Side Pipes
• Cold Air Box for Weber Carburetors
• Heat Shields on Foot Boxes for Passenger and Driver
• Shelby-Branded Leather Seating Surfaces
• Halon Fire Suppression System
• 3:54 Rear Differential with Cooler
• Original Leaf Spring Suspension
• Custom Car Cover

Shelby Engine Company 427FE Specifications:
• Shelby Aluminum 356 T6 CNC FE Block
• Custom Mahle Pistons
• Custom Hydraulic Roller Cam
• Shelby Dual Plan Intake Manifold
• Shelby Logo 8mm Ignition Wires
• Correct C5AE-H Casting Numbers
• Stainless Steel Rocker Arms with Rollers
• Cloyes Timing Chain
• Holley Carburetor with Manual Secondaries
• Billet Aluminum Pulley System
• Shelby Aluminum Medium Riser Heads
• 4340 Steel Crankshaft
• Billet Oil Filter Adapter
• MSD High Output Breakerless Distributor
• Shelby Black-Finned Valve Covers

The Shelby Secret Weapon Aluminum Daytona Coupe Offered at $495,000