Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe '64

aspiration

NA (Naturally Aspirated)

Group

Gr.X

Displacement

4,728 cc

DriveTrain

FR

Height

1,422 mm

Length

4,610 mm

Weight

1,043 kg

Width

1,753 mm

Max Power

384 BHP / 7,000 rpm

Max Torque

47.0 kgfm / 4,000 rpm

Performance Point

PP 548.78

Manufacturer

Shelby

Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe '64: The American Giant Slayer of Le Mans

The Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe '64 is a legendary race car that stands as a testament to American ingenuity and relentless pursuit of victory on the world stage. Developed under the guidance of Carroll Shelby, this coupe was designed with a singular purpose: to dethrone Ferrari in the FIA World Sportscar Championship's GT class. While the original Shelby Cobra roadster enjoyed success in SCCA and US road racing, its open design limited its competitiveness on high-speed European circuits. To overcome this hurdle, Shelby American engineer Peter Brock crafted the distinctive aerodynamically efficient coupe body, giving birth to the Daytona Coupe.

Built in 1964, only six Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupes were ever produced, yet their impact on motorsport history has been profound. The car's advanced design enabled it to achieve top speeds far beyond the capabilities of its predecessor, the Cobra roadster. In 1964 and 1965, the Daytona Coupe made headlines by challenging, and eventually overcoming, the might of Ferrari at legendary venues like Le Mans, Sebring, and Spa. Its crowning achievement came in 1965, when the Cobra Daytona Coupe clinched the FIA International Championship for GT Manufacturers, marking the first (and for decades, only) time an American manufacturer would claim this prestigious title.

Beyond its racing pedigree, the Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe has become a symbol of American performance and design excellence. The car's rare status, innovative engineering, and iconic role in motorsports have made it a highly sought-after collector's piece, with surviving models commanding multi-million dollar prices at auctions. The legacy of the Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe '64 continues to inspire new generations of automotive enthusiasts and engineers, reflecting both the glory of its past triumphs and a timeless spirit of competition.