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Ultra-Rare Shelby Cobra Dragonsnake Heads to Auction

Ultra-Rare Shelby Cobra Dragonsnake Heads to Auction

Ultra-Rare Shelby Cobra Dragonsnake Heads to Auction

One of the greatest sports cars to ever bear the Shelby name is about to go up for grabs.

Mecum Auctions will take bids for the 1965 289 Cobra Dragonsnake next week during its annual Kissimmee sale. It is one of just five examples of the drag racing variant built and the only one to feature Stage III V-8.

The Cobra was born out of Carroll Shelby’s desire to see what would happen when you stuffed a powerful American engine (Ford’s 260-cubic-inch V-8) into a small British sports car (the AC Ace).  The resulting vehicle was a relative success, winning the hearts of enthusiasts and racing titles, including three straight U.S. Manufacturer’s Championships, on both sides of the Atlantic. It also helped put Shelby’s name on the map and put him on course to become one of the biggest names in performance automotive history.

1965 Shelby 289 Cobra Dragonsnake

Mecum Auctions

All original Cobras, whether made by AC or Shelby American, are special, but among the most intriguing (and rarest) are Shelby’s Dragonsnake variants. They were modified specifically for drag racing and only five were built. This example, no. CSX2427, was the only Stage III version of the quintet, meaning its V-8 came equipped with four two-barrel Weber carburetors. It was purchased new by brothers Don and Mike Reimer in 1964 and raced through the next summer, at which point it was parked, according to Autoevolution. It would be sold before the end of the year so that Mike could go to graduate school.

The 289 Cobra Dragonsnake has passed through the hands of several collectors in the decades since. In 2007, it was purchased by the late Steven Juliano, who set about meticulously returning the car to its original condition. This meant recreating the car’s gorgeous yellow racing livery (it matched the Reimer’s Thunderbird tow car) and utilizing as many original parts as possible, including tires and service items. Juliano’s hard work didn’t go unnoticed. The car has won several awards since and was even featured in Ford’s 50th Anniversary Cobra celebration at the 2012 Monterey Motorsports Reunion.

Inside the 1965 Shelby 289 Cobra Dragonsnake

Inside the 289 Cobra Dragonsnake

Mecum Auctions

The 289 Cobra Dragonsnake will cross the auction block on Sunday, January 19. Mecum’s listing doesn’t list an estimate, but a seven-figure gavel price seems like. You can also jump the line now if you’re worried about bidding being too frenzied. The car is available to buy today via direct purchase through Mecum for $1.75 million.

Click here for more photos of the 1965 Shelby 289 Cobra Dragonsnake.

Mecum Auctions




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