Born from the visionary partnership between Carroll Shelby and AC Cars of England, the Shelby Cobra 289 was a groundbreaking collaboration of American power and European agility. Introduced in 1963, the 289 variant featured Ford’s lightweight small-block V8, which dramatically improved handling dynamics compared to its big-block successor. With its fierce competition pedigree and iconic design, the 289 Cobra quickly established itself as a symbol of American motorsport prowess during the golden era of road racing.

Built in limited numbers and revered for its raw driving experience, the 289 Cobra stands today as one of the most collectible sports cars of the 20th century. Coveted by enthusiasts and investors alike, original examples with documented provenance are highly sought-after and increasingly rare.

This particular Cobra was invoiced to Shelby American on May 14, 1964, and shipped to the United States just twelve days later aboard the SS Diemerdyk, notably, the first Holland America Line vessel constructed after World War II. Originally specified in the striking combination of Rouge Iris over Beige and ordered with the desirable Class A accessories package, this Cobra included five chrome wire wheels, whitewall tires, a luggage rack, external rear-view mirror, AM-FM radio, and antifreeze. The factory invoice totalled $5,800.05.

The car was initially delivered by Shelby American to the Ford Motor Company in Michigan, where it was used for promotional and public relations purposes. In early 1965, having accumulated 5,177 miles, it returned to Shelby American to be prepared for resale. This included a full mechanical overhaul and a complete repaint, carried out over several months at a cost of $720. By May 1965, it was ready for a new chapter and was sold to Hi-Performance Motors in Los Angeles.

Hi-Performance Motors soon sold the Cobra to Roger Moon of Paso Robles, California. From there, it passed into the hands of Ralph Boud and eventually, in the mid-1970s, to Tim Zurbriggen. By this time, the car had been repainted black and fitted with 5-spoke American Racing wheels. In 1979, the Cobra was placed into storage, beginning a period of dormancy that would last several years.

In 1983, the Cobra was acquired by William "Billy" and Christine Kincheloe of California. What followed was an exhaustive nine-year restoration overseen by Mike McCluskey of McCluskey Ltd, widely recognised as the foremost expert in Cobra restoration in the United States. McCluskey had first worked on Cobras under Carroll Shelby himself at the age of 20 and would later be personally entrusted by Shelby to build continuation cars in the late 1980s. The Kincheloes’ passion for American motorsport, rooted in Billy’s family racing history, was evident in every aspect of the project.

Deeply involved in the Shelby American Automobile Club, the Kincheloes curated an impressive archive of memorabilia, event participation, and club concours trophies, all of which accompanies the car today. From the restoration’s completion in 1993 until Billy’s sale of the car in 2015, a meticulous logbook was kept, detailing every journey, service, and moment of significance in the car’s life. The car, affectionately named “Ellen,” became a treasured part of their family.

Notable entries from the logbook include:

03.01.1993 – “Car arrives home after 10-year rebuild – It rains for 13 consecutive days; the most rain LA's had in 7 years!”

23.01.1993 – “2nd Ride… loads up, loves the freeway (3 miles) HAULS ASS – whew! XHILERATING!!!”

12.05.1996 – “Met Lt. Col Bozek – HE FLIES THE SR-71 @ Edwards. Invited me to come see ‘The Bird’ – a dream come true.”

That visit to the legendary SR-71 “Blackbird” is documented by a remarkable photograph of the Cobra alongside the aircraft, a highlight among the car’s rich collection of stories.

In 2016, the Cobra was acquired by Marc Devis in Belgium before passing shortly thereafter to its current UK-based custodian. Since arriving in the UK, it has seen only limited road use and has been maintained by renowned marque specialist Steve Gilbey Classics. Most recently, the car was returned to its factory-original colour scheme, receiving a comprehensive respray in Rouge Iris and an interior retrim in Beige, expertly carried out by the highly regarded O’Rourke Coachtrimmers.

This Shelby Cobra 289 represents an unrepeatable opportunity to acquire an exceptionally documented and beautifully restored example of one of America’s most enduring automotive legends. Contact us now for more information or to arrange a viewing.