1965 Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe Wins Best In Class Award at 2009 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance
The legendary 1965 Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe CSX2601, “The Championship Coupe,” was awarded “Best in Class” for Race Cars in the 1963-1972 category at the 2009 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, held March 13-15 at The Golf Club of Amelia Island at Summer Beach.
Displaying the race car at Amelia Island was The Mecum Auction Company, who will offer the car during the 22nd annual Dana Mecum Original Spring Classic Auction in Indianapolis, Ind. The company anticipates the Shelby Daytona will garner the highest bid ever paid at public auction for an American automobile, reaching well into the eight-figure mark when it crosses the auction block.
“We were honored to display the Shelby Daytona Cobra at the extraordinary Concours d’Elegance,” said President Dana Mecum. “The Best in Class Award is a well-respected prize to add to this championship car’s exciting list of accomplishments. The Mecum Auction team cannot wait to bring this amazing piece of American race history to the public.”
Judges at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance evaluate several aspects of a vehicle’s style and elegance when determining winners, including the vehicle’s proportions and continuity design front to back; interior and exterior use of color and materials; design elements that set the vehicle apart; historical importance; the purity of design and its enduring qualities; and accuracy of the restoration.
The 1965 Shelby Daytona Cobra – a Crown Jewel in American Racing – was one of six cars built by Carroll Shelby to compete against the dominating Ferrari in the F.I.A. (Federation Internationale de l’Automobile) World Manufacturers Championship for GT race class. An experimental coupe body designed by Pete Brock was built on an existing Cobra chassis, immediately increasing the top speed by 25 mph. The race car made history when driver Bob Bondurant clinched the 1965 World Manufacturers Championship for the United States and Shelby American on July 4 in Reims, France.
A true slice of Americana, the Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe was owned by a North Dakota businessman with six gas stations who drove the car on a 300-mile round trip each day to collect his receipts. It was also leased to Paramount Pictures for use in the Howard Hawks cult classic ‘Redline 7000’.
Now fully restored to its famous Reims racing colors, the Shelby Daytona – which is insured through Hagerty Insurance and transported by Reliable Carriers, Inc. – will be on public display during Race Week at the Sebring International Raceway, leading up to the 12 Hours of Sebring on March 21.
The Shelby Daytona Cobra CSX2601 headlines the Original Spring Classis Auction, which is expected to feature 1,250 vehicles, at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. The auction is open to the general public and tickets are available at the door for $10. The Shelby Daytona will be sold on live national TV Friday, May 15, 2009, at 8:00 p.m. during the company’s series, “Mecum Auto Auction: Muscle Cars & More” on HD Theater – Discovery Communications’ first 24-hour high-definition cable network, offering compelling real-world and motorized content.
The Mecum Auction Company has been specializing in the sale of collector cars, muscle cars and Corvettes for more than 20 years. In spring 2008, the company sold its 50,000th car. Consignment, Bidder, event and accommodation information is available online at www.Mecum.com or by calling 815.568.8888.
About Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance
The Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance is one of the nation's most innovative vintage auto events featuring over 250 rare classics from seldom-seen private collections nationwide. The 2010 show is scheduled for March 14 at The Golf Club of Amelia Island at Summer Beach adjacent to The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. The show’s foundation has donated nearly $1.6 million to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida, Inc. since 1996. For more information, visit www.ameliaconcours.org or contact them at 904-636-0027.
