AC Cobra Daytona Coupe

Although the World Championship was lost by the smallest of margins to Ferrari in 1964, the Cobra Daytona Coupe proved to be up to the task. When Ferrari failed to construct a legal replacement for the 250 GTO, the road was cleared for Shelby in 1965. Of the eleven races, the Daytona won eight. Today the Daytona is best remembered for the two consecutive GT class victories in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in '64 and '65. At the end of the 1965 season rule changes left the Cobras pretty much obsolete for racing. In these four seasons, the Cobra built up an impressive racing record on both sides of the Atlantic.

Only six examples of the Daytona Coupe were constructed, making it one of the most sought after vehicles in the world today. Two Daytonas are on display in the Shelby American Collection museum in Boulder, Colorado, USA, the featured CSX 2299 is one of them. In its two year racing career four GT class wins were recorded, including the 1964 Le Mans victory with Dan Gurney and Bob Bondurant driving. As part of a rare tour through Europe it is pictured at the 2004 Le Mans Classic, where it was co-driven by Bob Bondurant and the 2004 Nurburgring Old Timer Grand Prix. It still wears the #13 racing number used when Jo Schlesser and Hal Keck drove it the 1965 Daytona 24 Hours class victory.

General specifications
Country of origin United States
Years of production 1964 - 1965
Numbers built 6
Body design Peter Brock
Weight 1043 kilo / 2299.4 lbs

Drivetrain
Engine Ford 90º V 8
Engine Location Front , longitudinally mounted
Displacement 4.727 liter / 288.5 cu in
Valvetrain 2 valves / cylinder, OHV
Fuel feed 4 Weber 48 IDM Carburetors
Aspiration Naturally Aspirated
Gearbox Borg-Warner T10 4 speed Manual
Drive Rear wheel drive

Performance figures
Power 380 bhp / 283 KW @ 7000 rpm
Torque 462 Nm / 341 ft lbs
BHP/Liter 80 bhp / liter
Power to weight ratio 0.36 bhp / kg
Top Speed 307 km/h / 191 mph
0-60 mph Acceleration 4.4 s