1962 DragonSnake Cobra - Dragonpilot - 07/2006

[rshelby]

Shelby Forums - Car of the Month - July 2006

Shelby Forums Username: DragonPilot
Year: 1962
Make: Shelby American
Model: Dragonsnake
Shelby Number: CSX2019
Engine: 289
Trans: Fairlane Dragster
Exterior color: Sungleam Viking Blue
Interior color: Black
Options: Weber carbs, Ballenger headers, Scattershield
Selling Dealer: Coventry Motors, Walnut Creek, CA
Alterations: None
Description/History:

CSX2019 was delivered late in 1962 to the Shelby American assembly plant in Venice. It quickly became known as the red car featured in all the Shelby showroom literature. Designated a PR car, it spent its first few months promoting the new company and its Cobras.

In July of 1963, CSX2019 was loaned to MGM Studios for use in the film "Viva Las Vegas," starring Elvis Presley and Ann Margret. There is evidence it was also used in "The Killers," with Lee Marvin, Angie Dickinson, and, in his only bad-guy role ever, Ronald Reagan.

Returning to Shelby American, CSX2019 found its true calling, beating most comers and setting national records as the first of two factory campaigned Dragonsnakes. In February of 1964, at the AHRA Winter Nationals held in Scottsdale, Arizona, CSX2019, with Tony Stoer as the "Aimer," set the F/SSP record of 12.81 seconds at 108.95 mph. Its best ever AA/SP time would later be recorded at 11.73 seconds at 110.20 mph.

CSX2019 ended its company career where it began, in Marketing and Sales Promotion. Shelby American ran an ad in the national hot rod magazines and advertised the Dragonsnake as "the fastest production sports car to ever hit the quarter mile lights."

CSX 2019 was retired as a factory drag car in the spring of '64, when its rack-and-pinion replacement, CSX 2357, was ready. Berry continued to race the car successfully for the next three years. He then sold it to me in 1967. The "Original Dragonsnake" has been stored in my climate- controlled print shop for the last 39 years and still wears its original paint and racing livery.

After 39 years of ownership, the DragonSnake was just sold through Mecum Collector Car Auctioneers 19th Annual Spring Classic Auction, May 25-29, 2006, Belvidere, IL. The car sold for $1,601,250!

More info and photos:
http://www.shelbyford.com
http://www.shelbyford.com/wimtoday.html

"Wheels in Motion" video:
http://www.wimtoday.com/news.asp?a=862

Hal Heindel
CSX2019
www.shelbyford.com

[DeLa1Rob]

Just looking back on a truly incredible car

robin

[vernonestes]

great car that deserves the car of the month title, what stunning history!

[willsr]

A prime draw for bidders and muscle car enthusiasts at the Spring Classic will be the famed original 1962 Shelby Cobra "Dragonsnake." Confirmed as chassis No. CSX2019, this is one of only six Dragonsnakes ever built, and the first of only two vehicles created by Carroll Shelby to race as factory campaigned cars promoting his Cobra street cars. The original P.R. car for Shelby America, CSX2019 had a role in the Elvis Presley movie "Viva Las Vegas." It set numerous NHRA drag racing records and still holds several to this day.
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[A-Snake]

Originally Posted by willsr

A prime draw for bidders and muscle car enthusiasts at the Spring Classic will be the famed original 1962 Shelby Cobra "Dragonsnake." Confirmed as chassis No. CSX2019, this is one of only six Dragonsnakes ever built, and the first of only two vehicles created by Carroll Shelby to race as factory campaigned cars promoting his Cobra street cars. The original P.R. car for Shelby America, CSX2019 had a role in the Elvis Presley movie "Viva Las Vegas." It set numerous NHRA drag racing records and still holds several to this day.

Willsr,
Thanks for the heads-up but this auction was ah... two years ago, tomorrow.

http://www.shelbyford.com/postauction.html

[twobjshelbys]

CSX2019 is on display at the Shelby American Collection in Gunbarrell (Boulder), CO.


www.shelbyamericancollection.org

[scott bobst]

Was the record holder ad out of a magazine? if so which one ,Id like to try to find one Ive never seen that cobra ad.
Thanks Scott