1965 Shelby Cobra 289

OVERVIEW

1965 Shelby 289 Cobra
VIN: CSX 2337
Engine: PA 4041

While working as an aerospace engineer at Douglas Aircraft in 1964, John Hector began his search for a Cobra. He had driven a classmate's Cobra after college and had become entranced by the prospect of owning one himself. He inquired after a few used cars, until he came upon a new 289 Cobra in Utah. Walter Larson Ford in Murray, Utah was anxious to move their Cobra before winter set in, so a deal was struck and on December 23, 1964 Hector boarded a plane and set off for Utah to collect his car. The original sticker price was $6465, and the final sale price was only $5299. Quite the deal indeed.

Unfortunately they had not beaten the onset of winter in Utah, and snow had started to fall. So Hector did what any young American would do with a new Cobra in the snow, he fitted a set of rear winter tires and began the 800 mile drive over the mountains to his parents' house in Portland Oregon. He was turned back at the Cascade Mountains because he had inadvertently planned his trip during what would become known as the "The Christmas Flood of 1964", the worst storm the Northwest had seen in recorded history. Thankfully Hector and the Cobra survived the journey, and they made it to Portland on Christmas Day.

Hector would bring the Cobra home to Anaheim, California, and would go on to use the car as his daily driver for the next two years. During that time he would compete in a few autocross events in LA, San Diego, and Portland. In 1973 the car would be repainted in its original red. That same year Hector would move to Oregon, and the Cobra would be set aside, and driven infrequently, except for occasional local vintage sports car rallies.

CSX 2337 has never been in an accident, and the aluminum body remains completely original. The engine, transmission, and rear end are original to the car. Even the original spare tire, which has never been used, is included with the car.

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