Racing Legends Archives | Exoto

“The Championship Coupe” | 1965 Reims 12 Hours | Bob Bondurant, Jo Schlesser

MRDavidson — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 16:32:27 +0000

This is the Championship Coupe, chassis CSX 2601. Its biggest claim to fame was that it was the Cobra Daytona that, by winning the GT III category at Reims on July 4, clinched the 1965 World Manufacturers Championship for Shelby American. The drivers that day were Bob Bondurant and Jo Schlesser. Chassis CSX 2601, our item #RLG18006, had also secured extensive winning records in the GT III class that year. In addition to first place at Reims, it was also first crossing the finish line at Monza (Bob Bondurant and Allen Grant), Nurburgring (Bob Bondurant and Jochen Neerspasch), and finally at Coppa di Enna (Bob Bondurant).

The Championship Coupe also competed at Daytona (Bob Johnson and Tom Payne) Sebring (Bob Johnson and Tom Payne), Spa Francorchamps (Bob Bondurant), and Le Mans (Allen Grant and Jo Schlesser).

Our version of chassis CSX 2601, item #RLG18006, presents this famous Cobra Daytona Coupe as it crossed the finish line on that historic day of July 4, 1965 at Reims, France. A well deserved accomplishment for Shelby American, on American Independence Day!

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1966 Sebring 12 Hours | Dick Guldstrand, Dick Thompson | Penske Race Day Livery

MRDavidson — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 21:40:10 +0000

Only two Grand Sport Roadsters were ever built and Roger Penske bought both of them. Chassis 001 was picked up from the GM factory and prepared for the 1966 Sebring 12 Hour event. Prepared by Traco and upgraded with a 427 ci “Daytona Mystery Motor” topped by a single Holley carburetor, the Roadster was rebuilt in the interest of durability and detuned to only 500 bhp!

To minimize time spent in the pits an air jack/oil/water system was added to the Penske Roadster. A set of three valves on the right fender allows compressed air, oil and water to be delivered quickly and easily. If not driven carefully, the Penske Roadster could actually pick its front tires up off the ground during acceleration, so a large front spoiler was added to combat lift under acceleration and at speed.

Driven by Dick Guldstrand and Dick Thompson, the Penske Roadster made its racing debut racing against Ford GT40s, Ferraris, Chaparrals and Porsches. The competition was two years more advanced, but nothing could keep up with the Grand Sport in a straight line. A.J. Foyt, driving a GT40 Mk II at Sebring that year, was heard to say: “What’s in that damn dinosaur? It went by me like I was stopped!”

Sadly, an incident with a slower car eventually forced the Penske Roadster to retire with significant damage. Regardless of the result, the striking appearance and the Roadsters raw performance at Sebring left an unforgettable impression on all who witnessed it.

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