Shelby Cobras

Shelby Cobra Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion 2012

Shelby Cobras Photos and Stories.
Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion
Mazda Raceway
Laguna Seca, California, August 17, 18, 19, 2012

GALLERY 3--Infield Story and Images by Michael Rockich

Shelby Cobras

The 2012 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion

Record Number Of Original Shelby Cobra Competition Cars Were accepted At Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion

The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, celebrates the life of Carroll Shelby and the 50th anniversary of the Shelby Cobra on August 17-19 , 2012, at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, California.

Carroll Shelby, 1923-2012 , along with chief engineer Phil Remington, built 998 Shelby Cobras between 1962 and 1967. It is estimated that only 120 of these Shelby Cobras were competition cars, but they forever changed sports car racing.

The Carroll Shelby story is not too dissimilar to another race car constructor who built race cars and then road cars to pay for his racing program. That other person was Enzo Ferrari, Shelby's nemesis, and it was 'to get Ferrari' that Shelby built the Cobra.

Shelby Cobras arrived from the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Canada and across the USA. Each car that has been accepted is based on its exceptional racing provenance, mechanical authenticity and period-correctness in appearance. The Governing Committee chose from over nearly 60 entries to arrive at a final 45 cars, the maximum number safely allowed in any one group.

More than 200 Shelby Cobras were expected in the Cobra Corral and there were areas for CSX 2000/3000 cars and Shelby American continuation cars. Replica Cobras were also welcome in the Cobra Corral for display.

The long-time partner of Carroll Shelby, Ford Motor Company presented fans with a heritage display that celebrates the iconic Shelby Cobra as the center piece in the race paddock

Shelby and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca has long been intertwined. Shelby was a frequent participant in the early years of the then named Laguna Seca Raceway. It was at Laguna Seca, October 20, 1960, that Shelby drove the No. 98 Tipo 61 Maserati "Birdcage" in his final race of his driving career. Despite having to take nitroglycerin pills for chest pains, he finished second after leading much of the race. That position earned enough points for Shelby to gain the 1960 USAC Sports Car Championship.

"Carroll Shelby and his Cobras have been integral to our facility's development. For a man who had his last professional race here and returned year after year for our historic car races, it is a privilege to host and present a public celebration of his life, his cars and his deep passion," said Gill Campbell, CEO/general manager of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. "He will be missed roaming the paddock, but his spirit will forever live on."

The day united the Shelby legacy and spirit with the anniversary of one of the most iconic cars of all time. Highlights will included:
Dedicated race of 45 authentic CSX 2000/3000 competition cars
Shelby Cobra Heritage Display, presented by Ford Motor Company
Cobra Car Show on Pit Lane (Saturday for all authentic street and race Cobras)
Cobra Car Corral with hundreds of authentic, continuation and replica cars
Carroll Shelby special tribute laps
Picnic Q&A with a Shelby American team member Pete Brock and Bob Bondurant.
350 GT Mustangs racing and in a dedicated car corral

The Shelby Cobra was the chosen marque for 2012 and Lynn Park of La Canada, Calif., better known as "Mr. Cobra." Received the "The Spirit of Monterey" award for recognition as the driver who excels in the spirit of the weekend, along with a specially engraved 18k stainless steel and gold Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona. Park, who has owned 50 Cobras over his lifetime and personally knew the late Carroll Shelby said "I love this, and I live and breathe Cobras all day long. Park raced one of his 14 Cobras Saturday and his sons drove two of his other Cobras.

In Saturday's feature race there were 45 Cobras with authentic provenance running, at speed around the track and through the famed "Corkscrew". The show was thunderous.

Carroll Shelby; 1923 - 2012
Carroll Shelby portrait, from the collections of The Henry Ford
Courtesy of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, California 2012

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Shelby Cobra #1 (CSX 2000)

Shelby Cobra #1 (CSX 2000)

Shelby Cobra #1 (CSX 2000) The very first Shelby Cobra, this car debuted at the 1962 New York Auto Show. Shelby American Museum car

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Shelby Cobra CSX2001 The first production Cobra built

Shelby Cobra CSX2001

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Cobra Roadster (CSX 2002) The first Shelby factory race car and the third Cobra ever built, it was driven by Billy Krause and others. Shelby American Museum

Shelby Cobra Roadster (CSX 2002)

Shelby Cobra Roadster (CSX 2002)

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Cobra Roadster (CSX 2026) The first Cobra to ever win a race and a national championship. Shelby American Museum

Shelby Cobra Roadster (CSX 2026)

Shelby CobraRoadster (CSX 2026)

Cobra Roadster (CSX 2026) xx

Shelby Cobra (CSX 2128) One of two Cobras built for the 1963 12 Hours of Sebring. Larry H. Miller Auto Museum

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Cobra CSX2196 First 'Big block' Ken Miles stuffed a 427 into a 289 chassis to compeate with the Grand Sport Corvette

Cobra CSX2196

Shelby Cobra CSX2196

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Shelby Cobra CSX2299 Daytona Coupe The most significant of the six coupes, this is the car that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Daytona Continental 24 Hour, 12 Hours of Sebring and the 1965 FIA GT World Championship. It was driven by Dan Garvey, Bob Bondurant and others. Sheiby American Museum

Shelby Cobra CSX2299 Daytona Coupe

Shelby Cobra CSX2299 Daytona Coupe

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FIA Cobra Roadster (csx 2345) probably the most significant Cobra. It compiled five FIA wins and was driven by Phil Hill, Bob Bondurant, Roy Calvados, Sir John Whitmore and others. It is completely original and untouched, including tires, from its last win in 1965 at Rossfeld, Germany. Shelby American Museum