When you think about the late Carroll Shelby, chances are your mind instantly zooms to memories of Mustangs or AC Cobras. But, there are other cars Shelby fettled with and created, and few are more rare than the Daytona Cobra.
Although it never quite did the job at Le Mans, it still packs an excellent motorsport history. Along with having won at Daytona (hence the name), Shelby fielded these beasts to wins at Sebring, Monza and more. A World Sportscar Championship win in 1965 exists as its highest achievement.
This Daytona was once Carroll Shelby’s own personal example, and it’s currently up for sale at Worldwide Auctioneers. The site notes that the V8-powered beast’s current owner purchased it directly from Shelby himself.
It’s also won a few races in recent times, conquering vintage racing events at the likes of Laguna Seca. Several noted guns have been behind the wheel, including Phill Hill, Derek Bell, John Morton, and more.
Most ironic to those of us in Australasia is the ties the Daytona has two different Peter Brocks. America’s Peter Brock, of BRE Datsun fame, helped create the Daytona Cobra in the 1960s. Some four decades later, a Daytona replica would tragically play a role in the death of Australia’s Peter Brock.
Now, there’s a big caveat to this Daytona. It may look spotless and may pack an excellent race record, but it houses a not-so-secret secret in that it isn’t actually an original Daytona. Just six of these were ever built, and according to the likes of Haggerty they can be worth up to US$30million a piece.
This Daytona may still sell for a hefty mint, though. Being Carroll Shelby’s own example means it’s not exactly a dark dodgy alleyway replica job. Like the real thing, it was based on a Cobra Roadster — sporting the chassis code CSX 2469. The body is a McClusky example that Shelby green-lit and commissioned. The model is also listed in the Shelby registry.
So, what’s it worth? Well, with some pundits saying that even the most dog-eared Daytona recreation is worth a few million, this stunning example — with its history — should fetch much more. Sadly we don’t know what it will sell for, since it’s being sold as a private sale rather than as an auction.