Join Shelby Forums Today

Goodwood Revival to Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Cobra Daytona Coupe

Discussion in 'Shelby Cobra' started by rshelby, Aug 24, 2015.

  1. rshelby

    rshelby ShelbyForums Admin Staff Member

    Posts:
    2,531
    Likes Received:
    3
    Joined:
    Jan 1, 2004
    Location:
    Dallas, TX
    The Goodwood Revival to Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Cobra Daytona Coupe

    The Goodwood Revival will mark 50-years since the debut of one of the most iconic GT cars of all time – the Shelby Daytona Coupe – with a never-before-seen collection of the V8 racers.

    Just six Daytona Coupes were ever produced and all of them are set to appear at the Revival. Two will race in the showpiece RAC Tourist Trophy on the Sunday, while all six will take part in a special demonstration run on each day.

    The Daytona Coupe’s name references the car’s debut at the Daytona Continental in 1964, at which drivers Dave MacDonald and Bob Holbert caused a sensation by securing pole position and leading the first third of the race.

    Based originally on the British AC-Ace, the Cobra came into being after legendary American racer Carroll Shelby – one of only two men to win at Le Mans in an Aston Martin – began fitting Ford V8 engines and strengthened gearboxes to re-bodied machines from the Thames Ditton-based constructor.

    Renowned designer Peter Brock gave the Coupe an ultra-aerodynamic body, ideal for high top speeds, and the Daytona Coupe was born, to be raced by superstar drivers of the era including Dan Gurney, Phil Hill and Chris Amon in the World Championship, which was held for closed-top GT cars during the period.

    After a Le Mans class win in 1964, a dominant campaign in World Sportscars in ’65 ensured that Shelby became the first American marque to take the title with numerous class wins from the car, including at Daytona, Sebring, Le Mans and the Nurburgring, with programmes run by Shelby International itself, Alan Mann Racing and on one occasion Scuderia Filipinetti.

    The six Daytona Coupes, along with other significant Shelby Cobras will be housed in a special area within the main paddock, which will be dressed to resemble the pitlane of the 1965 Sebring 12 Hours for this very special celebration in September. It is sure to be a highlight for the event’s 150,000 visitors to the Revival.
     

Share This Page