LMC is very proud to offer for sale this 1965 Shelby Cobra 289
Carroll Shelby and his famous Ford powered Cobras need no introduction to any motorsport enthusiast. The years of Carroll Shelby and Ford’s partnership created some of the best race and street cars in automotive history. Shelby’s fame and success is owed to his third iteration of the AC-bodied Cobra, which utilized Ford’s new 289-cubic-inch V-8, that provided the perfect balance of handling and raw power. Rated at 306 horsepower, the 289 was tasked with propelling a car that weighed only 2,000 pounds. With such exciting performance, it is no wonder that the Cobra became an instant success, making both Cobra and Carroll Shelby household names and, ultimately, besting Ferrari to bring the FIA International GT Championship to the United States for the first time in 1965
This outstanding late-production 1964 Shelby Cobra 289 represents a wonderful example of a very original unrestored example of the iconic small-block Cobra. A true 2 private owner West Coast car, it retains its original aluminum body, numbers matching 289ci/306hp engine, transmission, and rear end, a rarity even among the most carefully preserved Cobras.
Originally purchased new from Walter Larson Ford in Murray, Utah, this Cobra was delivered on December 23, 1964, to its first owner, aerospace engineer John Hector of Anaheim, California. Having fallen in love with the Cobra after driving a classmate’s example, Hector purchased his Cobra for a discounted $5,299, against a list price of $6,465, just before Christmas 1964.
In 1973, Hector relocated to Oregon from California and had the Cobra repainted in its original red—the only repaint the car has ever received. From that point onward, the car was used sparingly, appearing occasionally in vintage sports car rallies. The car remains remarkably original throughout.
The Legendary Motorcar Company purchased this Cobra from its original owner in 2014, retaining its original alloy body, original chassis, and matching-numbers Hi-Po 289 engine. For collectors seeking an original, authentic, well-documented, and unmolested Cobra with a continuous history from new, this car represents an extraordinary opportunity.