Factory Built Team Car CSX2472
Documented Ownership History from Day One
Documented Race History and Results
Original Factory Built Aluminum Body
Original Factory Built Frame
19,000 Original Documented Miles
Original Halibrand Wheels
In the summer of 1964, Shelby American took delivery of internal work order #15037, a factory drag race Cobra. Cobra Team Race Car #2472 and was delivered in Bright Blue livery with a black interior, but was left otherwise unfinished. With funds in the factory drag racing well drying up, the car was put in storage, until Ed Hugus of Continental Cars Pittsburgh requested to have the car finished for a customer. Shelby American agreed to build the car but had to make some modifications per the customers request. By the summer of 65 the car was delivered to Hugus, but upon taking delivery he complained that the car had several issues that needed to be addressed, including a complete repaint due to flaking paint! It was agreed that Hugus would repaint the car and fix all the issues while withholding a portion of payment for doing so. Once the car was finished, it was delivered to the first owner, Russ Freed, for a final cost of $10,200. Russ kept the car for 2 years, driving the car on the street for a total of 5,200 miles, then selling the car to J. J. Rodman. He drove and raced the car, accruing some 1,200 trophies in hill climb and autocross competitions along with his sister. After covering 10,000 miles, Rodman sold the car to David Caro, who barely covered 700 miles after reselling the car back to Rodman in 1986. Enter Len Perham, who purchased the car in 2006, and had the car thoroughly restored to original specification, which is how we find the car today.
Per Mr. Freeds request, this car was repainted British Racing Green but retained the black interior with the addition of a racing seat, heater, Cobra script radio, shoulder harnesses, Stewart Warner tachometer, and custom roll bar to accommodate a Berry hardtop. Factory badging was also deleted from the car as marked on the original work order. When the last owner had the car restored, the completely original body and chassis were stripped to bare metal before being refinished. The little bit of aluminum that needed to be cleaned up was done by a previous Shelby American employee that still is still proficient in gas welding aluminum. The metal work is laser straight and panel gaps are even, while the finish is deep and mirror like. Both the interior and exterior are in highly detailed condition or are better than new.
CSX2472 is most likely the winningest Cobra in history, and it has the factory race team at Shelby to thank! Opening the hood reveals a period, balanced and blueprinted 289 Ford small block, adorned with competition heads, aggressive camshaft, modified distributor, Belanger headers, and single carburetor as the car was originally delivered. As ordered the Cobra was rated at 300 horsepower but was known to actually put out much more power. Behind the 289 is a fully synchronized 4 speed manual transmission, with a competition pressure plate, clutch, and scatter shield. Halibrand wheels were specified with red dot tires, instead of the factory drag setup, and fender flares both front and rear. Along with Koni shocks and a 3.77 rear end. This specifically ordered car had the best of all worlds for a serious street car, as originally ordered. The original motor is out of the car but in good condition, and included in the sale as well. With documented history and a concours restoration, this factory Cobra Dragonsnake is a collectors dream. Please contact us find out more information on this piece of automotive history!
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