One to Buy: ex-Jay Sebring 1964 AC Shelby Cobra 289
Having retired from a successful driving career that most notably yielded outright victories at the 1959 Le Mans 24 Hours and Goodwood Tourist Trophy (both under the employment of the Aston Martin works team), Carroll Shelby turned his attention to creating a Ford-powered open two-seat sports car.
However, rather than develop an all-new machine from the ground up, Shelby struck a deal with AC that would see the British firm’s Ace transformed into a V8-engined rip snorter.
Thanks to its handsome looks, phenomenal performance and on-track prowess, the resultant AC Shelby Cobra quickly came to be regarded as an automotive icon.
After 75 of the early 260-cubic-inch / 4.2-litre Cobras had emerged, Shelby switched to a 289 cubic-inch / 4.7-litre V8. 51 cars later, a much-improved rack and pinion steering system was introduced.
Currently on offer at the Canepa showroom in Scotts Valley, California, is an example of the later 289-engined Cobra with rack and pinion steering: chassis CSX2220.
Even more significantly, this particular car is linked to one of the most infamous moments of 20th century pop culture crime: the Manson Family murders of August 1969.
CSX2220 was invoiced to Shelby American on November 14th 1963 and sold to Executive Leasing in Los Angeles on January 22nd 1964. It was then leased (and later sold) to internationally renowned celebrity hairdresser, Jay Sebring, whose client list included Steve McQueen, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Paul Newman, Warren Beatty and Kirk Douglas.
At some stage during his ownership of CSX2220, Sebring had the colour changed from Princess Blue with Red trim to Metallic Black with Black trim.
Unfortunately, on August 8th 1969, Sebring along with his friends Sharon Tate, Wojciech Frykowski and Abigail Folger (along with the housekeeper of the residence on Cielo Drive in California, Steven Parent) were brutally murdered by members of the Manson Family.
Today, the matching numbers Cobra has covered a little uner 27,000 miles.
Reprinted below is Canepa’s description:
VIN: CSX2220
26,846 miles
Originally owned by famous Hollywood celebrity hairstylist Jay Sebring
Extensive documented mechanical maintenance and work by Cobra experts Mike McClusky and Rare Drive, Inc.
Retains its matching-numbers engine
289 cubic inches, est. 345hp
Registered in California since new, has original license plates
Exceptional late production rack & pinion example of the 289 Cobra
Menacing black exterior, black leather interior
4-speed manual transmission, 4-wheel hydraulic disc brakes, 4-wheel independent suspension
There was one name in the world of American sports cars that made your head turn when heard: SHELBY. The American-blooded racing car driver turned car manufacturer, Carroll Shelby created one of the most iconic and authentic sports cars of all time: the Shelby Cobra.
Powerful, agile, and lightweight, these American icons took to the tracks and racked up wins which quickly spread their popularity throughout the world. Driven by racers Dan Gurney, Ken Miles, Phil Hill, Bob Bondurant, and many other celebrities such as Steve McQueen, Brucer Meyer, Hank Williams and others, the Shelby Cobra was an instant classic which today is now considered one of the best sports cars of all time.
The combination of accessible performance, drop-dead looks, and its everyday usability allowed it to become one of the most desirable American cars in history.
Channeling the American ingenuity that Lance Reventlow’s Scarab racing builders did in the late 1950s, Carroll Shelby’s Cobras were hand crafted from aluminum for an extremely lightweight body. Practically shrink-wrapped to the steel frames underneath, the street Cobras had curves and beauty that were most often reserved for only some of the finest hand-built race and coach-built cars.
Powered by the mighty Ford 289 V8 engine mated to a 4-speed manual transmission, the Shelby Cobra 289’s power-to-weight ratio was approaching race car territory, all in a road-legal package. This raw performance coupled with the Cobra’s winning on the race track boosted them into the stratosphere, and became the de facto best American sports car ever made.
This fantastic example, chassis CSX2220, was billed to Shelby American, Inc. on November 8th, 1963, and shipped to Los Angeles six days later aboard the SS Villanger. It was invoiced on January 22nd, 1964, to Executive Car Leasing Company of Los Angeles, and the invoice read: “1 COBRA-Ford, Chassis #2220, Princess Blue” ($5,195.00); with Class “A” accessories, including aluminum rocker covers, WSW tires, and a luggage rack ($280.00); radio and antenna ($45.50); rearview mirror ($4.20); 5 quarts antifreeze ($3.55); and “dealer handling” ($250.00) for a total of $5,778.75.
The Cobra was picked up at Shelby American by Executive Car Leasing, registered with the California plate “LIW 535” and then sold to famous Hollywood figure, Jay Sebring, known for styling the hair of some of the era’s most important celebrities and movie stars.
Having served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean war for 4 years, he returned to Los Angeles to open his own salon. Instead of using clippers like most barbers, he washed, scissor cut and blow dried his clients hair. He used a variety of innovative care products and paved a path for himself creating a wide array of new men’s hairstyles. Often charging up to 50 times what a normal haircut cost, Sebring’s star-studded client list grew to include the likes of Steve McQueen, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Paul Newman, Warren Beatty, and Kirk Douglas.
After taking delivery of his 289 Cobra, Sebring attended the Carroll Shelby School of High Performance Driving. In 1964, Sebring met actress and model Sharon Tate, and quickly began a relationship. While the couple ultimately did not stay together, they remained close friends and regularly partook in each other’s company.
Unfortunately, on the night of August 8th, 1969, members of the Manson Family headed to the house where Sebring and Tate had gone after dinner. The Manson Family members murdered Jay Sebring and Sharon Tate, along with their friends Wojciech Frykowski and Abigail Folger. Five days later, Steve McQueen gave the eulogy at Jay Sebring’s funeral.
CSX2220 was purchased in 1978 by California-based vintage racer and collector Phil Gallant, who also happened to own CSX2301, an important “cutback-door” FIA Cobra. He had restoration work performed by noted Cobra expert Mike McClusky, which included repainting it and sleeving the frame to reinforce it. In 2003, the car was sold to well-known collector Roger Williams of New Canaan, Connecticut.
Williams sent the car to Peter Klutt’s Legendary Motorcar Company in Canada, who had the engine expertly rebuilt by a highly regarded Canadian NASCAR mechanic. It was reportedly balanced, blueprinted, and polished, making 345hp when dyno tested.
Williams greatly enjoyed CSX2220, taking it on five Cobra tours and showing it at multiple events. He had work performed by Cobra specialists Rare Drive, Inc. of New Hampshire, and Cobra Automotive in Connecticut. Williams kept the car registered on its original California black plates, complete with numerous inspection stickers over the years. These original California plates still accompany the car to this day.
The Cobra’s engine number (3471) matches the numbers on its footbox tag (which reads PA 3471). It is complete with its jack, knock-off hammer, soft top, side curtains, and tonneau cover.
