1963 Shelby Cobra "Dragonsnake"

Today in the AJ Car of the Day, we have yet another rarity...this one comes by the way of Shelby. The 1963 Shelby Cobra "Dragonsnake".

Carroll Shelby wanted the AC Cobras to be "Corvette-Beaters" and at nearly 500 lb less than Chevrolet's Corvette , the lightweight roadster cracked that nut at Riverside International Raceway on February 2, 1963. A Shelby labeled  CSX2026 ran past a field of Corvettes, Jaguars, Porsches, and Maseratis and recorded the Cobra's historic first-ever victory. Later, Shelby offered a drag package, known as the Dragonsnake, which won several NHRA National events labeled CSX2093. Only 5 Dragonsnake Cobras were produced by the factory, with 3 others (like CSX2093) prepared by customers using the drag package.

Shelby offered the Dragonsnake as a ¼-mile drag car that came equipped with several distinct racing options. At around $8,000, this option was not cheap. Included was a competition-spec engine, modified Koni shock absorbers, Goodyear Drag Slicks, 4.54:1 rear end, air scoop on the hood, relocated battery behind the passenger seat, heavy-duty half shafts and an NHRA-approved roll bar.

Shelby offered the car with three levels of carburation. Stage I was a single 4-barrel carburettor while the $688 Stage II option included two units. Only one car, CSX2427, was original ordered with the Stage III Weber carburetor setup which was fitted later to most of the cars.

Of the 8 total Dragonsnakes,CSX3198 which was the only 427-equipped model. CSX2093, is the winningest competition Cobra in drag history and won 7 NHRA National events with Bruce Larson or Ed Hedrick driving. Truly, these Cobras were the stuff that legends were made of. The few that remain today are in the hands of some very lucky private collectors.