The Winningest Competition Cobra in History “DragonSnake”
Shelby Cobra DragonSnake, CSX2093
All photos used with permission from Mecum Auctions
Out of six pictures in this story, it was tough to pick one to lead with. In the end, I chose this one to feature one of the baddest drag race cars ever, the Shelby Cobra DragonSnake. Note the knockoff slicks in the back, the slight nose-in-the-air stance and finally that open header pipe looking right into my soul. I need to hear this serpent run!
This photo was a close second!
DESCRIPTION provided by Mecum Auctions
CSX 2093 was the 93rd Cobra built and is one of only eight cars modified with the Shelby-developed Dragonsnake package designed to maximize drag racing performance. Depending on options, the package could swell the bottom line to a whopping $8,990, a huge sum in 1960s-era dollars.
Owned by Jim Costilow and piloted by drag racer Bruce Larson, later of USA-1 Funny Car fame, the Dragonsnake dominated the NHRA’s A/SP, AA/SP, B/SP and C/SP classes in 1964. It set all new records in the 1965 season and won the NHRA Springnationals, Winternationals and U.S. Indy Nationals that year. The Cobra was so successful that it overshadowed Shelby’s factory-sponsored Dragonsnake, much to Shelby’s dismay, and thereafter factory support for the privateer effort began to dry up.
Later, with subsequent owner Ed Hedrick behind the wheel, CSX 2093 went on to win the 1966 Springnationals and U.S. Nationals. It also chalked up class wins at the 1967 Springnationals, Winternationals, U.S. Indy Nationals, and finished out the season with the World Points Championship. It continued to set records in 1968. All told, CSX 2093 held national titles in four separate classes.
The Costilow/Larson Dragonsnake has been authenticated and certified by the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) as a true and correct original car, and has also won that organization’s Senior Award and Race Car Certification badges. It has undergone a completely accurate and show-quality restoration by Ziegler Coach of Los Angeles, CA and is presented exactly as it competed, including the Weber-carbureted 289 Ford V-8 with Ballanger side mount headers, 4-speed transmission, Cobra Sunburst rear wheels with slicks, wire front wheels, removable hardtop and eye-grabbing Magenta metalflake paint.
Offered with full documentation of its NHRA national records, this is not only the most famous and successful of the eight Shelby Dragonsnakes; it is in fact the winningest competition Cobra in history.
Shelby Cobra DragonSnake HIGHLIGHTS:
- The winningest competition Cobra in history
- Authenticated and certified by the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) as a true and correct original car
- Senior award winner badge and Race car certification badge
- National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) record holder in retired classes AA, A, B, C/ sports
- Won 7 NHRA National events with Bruce Larson or Ed Hedrick driving
- Won the 1966 NHRA World Championship while owned and driven by Ed Hedrick
- Undisputed best winning record for the 6 factory and independently prepared Dragonsnakes
- Documentation of NHRA national records
- Show quality full and accurate restoration by Ziegler Coach, LA
- Deluxe side curtains and optional chrome front wire wheels included
Bid and win this amazing piece of racing history here:
Kissimmee, FL Auction January 26-30, 2011. This Lot scheduled to be sold SAT 2:45PM
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Yeah, this was one of my favorite drag cars in the 60’s. I’m not really cool with the color. Most of the photos I saw of it were in black and white. In an HP Book I have called Fast Fords by Alex Gabbard (ISBN 0-89586-498-3) it states that in ’67 this car driven by Ed Hedrick and renumbered 933, turned a 1/4 mile time of 11.65 @ 117.49 at the Spring Nationals in B/SP. Not too shabby for 1967.