If you ask a dozen different enthusiasts what their ultimate Barn Find would be, you will probably receive as many different answers. However, the classic sitting in this storage unit would rate high on any list. This genuine 1964 Shelby Cobra 289 has remained hidden from view for forty-three years. It was recently rolled out into the sun and is headed to a new home with Barn Find Hunter Tom Cotter. He plans to return this classic to its former glory, and armed with a host of documentation and almost every original part, you can be sure that the finished product will be a thing of muscular beauty.
Like many of its siblings, this Cobra’s history is quite thoroughly documented. It left the factory finished in Vineyard Green with a Black interior, and was shipped to North America aboard the SS Dintledyk on May 6th, 1964. It was invoiced to a dealership in Compton, California, in August of that year, but the trail goes cold for a few years because its first owner remains unknown. It passed through the hands of several individuals before the late last owner became its custodian. A restoration was commenced, but never came close to completion. This Cobra, number CSX2429, is notable for its originality. Examining various areas of the car confirms that the frame, body, and items like the hinges carry the correct number designation, adding to its desirability. It may appear incomplete, but that isn’t the case. The trunk was loaded with original parts, while another storage unit contained virtually everything required to return this classic to its factory form.
It is worth noting that this isn’t the last Shelby Cobra 289 built. That honor fell to CSX2589, which was retained by the Shelby family. The final one sold to the public was CSX2588, but the number on this one makes it a pretty late vehicle. Shelby bolted in the Ford 289ci Hi-Po V8, delivering 271hp. A four-speed manual transmission sent the power to the rear end, and with the Cobra’s body made from aluminum, it is easy to see why these featherweight classics were a force to be reckoned with on the track. The 289 in this car is said to have been rebuilt and was in excellent health when the car went into storage. Interestingly, it sports a two-barrel intake, which initially raised some doubts about the numbers-matching status. Only one other Cobra, CSX2006, is so-equipped. However, it is believed that this one received an intake swap at some point, because further investigation confirmed that this car retains its original engine, an important factor when assessing its investment potential. The second storage locker search also revealed a set of four Weber two-barrel carburetors, which were the hot setup for track work.
The restoration saw this Cobra’s interior partially dismantled, but there appear to be no missing pieces. Someone has swapped out the original Stewart Warner tach and oil pressure gauge, but rummaging through the parts unearthed them, and with items like the steering wheel center, seats, interior trim, and top all present, a thorough clean and reassembly may be all that stands between this classic in its current state and the day when it returns to its original form. However, the parts cache was only the beginning, because opening the glovebox revealed the Certificate of Ownership, confirming that this car last graced the streets in 1982.
I’m pretty sure that most of our loyal Barn Finds readers will consider this 1964 Shelby Cobra 289 to be a pretty extraordinary find. As Tom Cotter rightly points out, the Cobra is one of the most cloned cars in automotive history, and to find a genuine and complete vehicle in such good condition is a rare treat. I would be surprised if there are many of these vehicles languishing in barns and sheds, considering the low production tally. Therefore, this could easily be the last one to emerge from hiding. It is set to receive the restoration that stalled decades ago, and will soon return to its rightful place on our roads.
Wow, freakin’ wow!! I can’t think of a car I’d put higher on my dream list. Right down to the early small block version. That is incredible. Can’t be many of them left in that state.
The original Barn Finds Hunter. Where Jesse and Josh got their inspiration.
Wow!! How long till we see it for sale?
I doubtverymuchthat you will as Tom Cotter, the new owner, rarely sellsany of his cars andseeing that this one is VERYrare I should think that it will become a family heirloom!
Pretty amazing find for the car itself, but being able to locate all the removed parts and gauges, that is extraordinarily good fortune. So many times, people have removed parts and either sell them, junk them or just plain misplace them, so to find everything to make the Cobra complete, someone needs to buy a lottery ticket. Or, maybe they already hit the winning numbers…
Awesome episode, awesome car.
Four two barrels. That linkage must have been a nightmare. Interesting article needs more pictures. Let’s face it when this car is redone it will be seven figures. Nice to dream though. Reminds me of the time I saw a Cobra at a car show with a big block. Maybe it was a kit, but all I thought was this must be truly terrifying to drive at its limit.
So there was a camera running inside the storage all this time so when they opened it we could see the view from inside?
Exhilarating to drive, but you gotta have the cojones to keep your foot in it… the T10 needs to be stirred well, because it’s a hoot coming out of a corner in the next lower gear. You’ll surprise a lot of kids in their turbo Subarus.
That said, this one will probably end up on display and driven so gently that your 85 year-old Gramma Marie will want you to get a move on! Deep into 6 figures; possibly into 7 before it finds its home.
The ’63 Cobra sitting on the dealer’s show room floor along with my ’62 MG Midget was priced at $4,600. Didn’t have that kind of money so bought the Midget for $1,800. Who knew.
I always preferred the look of the small block slab side version. What a great restoration this will be. If he’s missing the cobra ornament, I have one purchased new/never used about 1966 from the Shelby showroom on Sepulveda Blvd in El Segundo I would consider providing.
Hey little Cobra, don’t you know you’re gonna shut em down! lol
Purchase price???
Best part of the story is that it came over to the US on the SS Dintledyk.
Absolutely incredible find! I can only imagine the feeling they got when they discovered this car. One thing that I gotta comment on and that is the mindset of the previous owner. This person changes out the original high performance carburetor and intake for a two barrel, but also has a set of 4 DD Webers. Talk about two different ends of the spectrum.
As the caretakers pass on & their heirs lose interest, I think we’ll see a blip upward in the ‘discoveries’ of forgotten cars.
The storage bill after 43 years must have been a whopper!
I just watched the episode about finding this car on YouTube this morning. That guy from Haggerty found it. They really hit the jackpot with this one.
Tom Cotter/ Barnfind Hunter, is the guy that found it and is going to restore it.
Whenever I purchase a storage unit’s contents that are for sale by the unit manager, all I ever get is a soiled sofa and a few boxes of Christmas lights. But this story gives me hope!
The finder, Tom Cotter, evidently knew about this car for over 20 years before he actually got to see, and buy it.
What a find!! That might be time to call it a career. I don’t know how it could get better than that.
I thought this was a site to sell/auction a vehicle. Why waste space and time showing a vehicle that may never be restored and no doubt will be waaay over priced if the owner decides to sell/auction the car.Rudty
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I tend to agree. Seems to me that an article such as this belongs in something like Hemmings and not on a used car auction site. Don’t get me wrong, I found the article very entertaining, I just question whether or not it should be on Barn Finds,
Because it’s a cool car, this site features more than a dozen cars per day, none of which will appeal to everyone.
As for being featured on Hemmings, Tom Cotters Barn Find’s are hosted on their YouTube channel. This Cobra will be featured on countless enthusiast forums and websites, most cars with a backstory like this are.
Steve R
Decades ago, an ISP trooper pulled me over. It was a simple headlight burned out, so he stopped me to give a warning. Nice guy, he invited me to sit in the front passenger seat as he wrote the warning. I noticed in the sun visor a pic of a maroon early Cobra. I asked if it was equipped with the 289, as that was my favorite version of the snake. He said, “You’re either a Ford nut, or a real Cobra buff.” A little of both, actually. Anyhow, we chatted for a few moments and then he let me go, but not before telling me the car was in original condition, and he paid a whopping $13,500 for it.
I remember being 16 years old and standing in the showroom at Marv Tonkin Ford in Portland Oregon looking at a blue ’66 427 Cobra. The window sticker was just over $6,000 and a 427/425 horse Vette was about $4,500 so my friend and I came to the conclusion that even though the Cobra was pretty cool looking it just wasn’t worth that much more money than a Vette. As they say, hindsight is 20/20.
Steve R. Holy crap dude, settle down. My only point was that I thought that an article about a car such as this might be better suited for a publication that was more centered around exotic or rare cars as opposed to a used car auction site. I in no way intended for my comment to be negative about Barn Finds, lm a freaking member.
I’m not sure why you are upset, all I did was counter the opinion of you and the one you were replying too, that featuring this Cobra is a negative. nothing more.
Steve R
You’re the Man, Steve R.