Powered by a Ford 289 90ยบ V8 engine that produces 390 bhp / 291 KW @ 6750 rpm. Capable of speeds over 190 miles per hour (310 km/h), the rear-wheel drive 1965 Shelby Daytona Cobra was one of 6 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 Peter Brock was built on an existing Cobra chassis. That car won its first race, the 1964 Daytona Continental (prompting Shelby to adopt the name). With this car Shelby became the first American constructor to win a title on the international scene at the FIA World Sportscar Championship in 1965. 5 more coupes were built afterward.One of the 6 coupes (Chassis # CSX2601, photos below) was sold for a record $7.25 million at Mecum`s inaugural Monterey Auction in August 2009. (wikipedia & auto-power-girl.com)
(Photos from mad4wheels.com & ultimatecarpage.com)
Another one of the original 6 Shelby Daytona Coupes (Chassis # CSX 2300)
Another one of the original 6 Shelby Daytona Coupes (Chassis # CSX 2300)
Another one of the original 6 Shelby Daytona Coupes (Chassis # CSX 2299)