Cobra Authority

AC, Ford & Shelby Cobra: Originals, Kits, Replicas, Tributes & Continuation Cars

Shelby Cobra Mark II — CSX 289 with Rack-and-Pinion

Seed file — full Archetype C buildout deferred to Phase 1. Style notes for the Writer are thin; user/co-worker domain knowledge should augment before this file is loaded as authoritative Writer context.

The Mark II Cobras are 289-powered cars built in the mid-1960s portion of the original Shelby Cobra program (1962–1967). The defining mechanical change from the Mark I is the move from worm-and-sector to rack-and-pinion steering, which significantly improved drivability and responsiveness. Mark II cars retain the small-block 289 cubic inch V8 and the AC-derived chassis architecture; they are the bridge between the early MkI cars and the big-block CSX3 generation that followed.

Production span and totals

  • Era: mid-1960s within the broader 1962-1967 Cobra program

  • End of MkII: production transitioned to the MkIII (CSX3, 427 big-block) configuration in 1965 when the redesigned MkIII chassis arrived

  • Total program production: approximately 1,000 Cobras of all types between 1962 and 1967. The Mark I / Mark II split within that total is not stated in current cited sources.

  • CSX2589 was the final 289 Cobra built. It was specified from new with an automatic transmission for Carroll Shelby personally and was retained by Shelby and his family from new; it has never been sold to the public. CSX2588, its immediate predecessor in the chassis range, is therefore the last 4-speed 289 Cobra Roadster and the last 289 Cobra of any specification sold to the public. The pairing marks the closing boundary of the 289 small-block production run that opened with CSX2000 in 1962. [Source: https://cobra-authority.com/1965-shelby-cobra-289-csx2588/] (added from CSX2588 article)

Defining mechanical characteristics

  • Engine: Ford 289 cubic inch small-block V8 (no 260 cars in Mark II era)
  • Steering: rack-and-pinion — this is the defining change versus the MkI’s worm-and-sector
  • Frame: revised version of the AC-derived chassis with the new steering geometry
  • Body: hand-formed aluminum over the same steel ladder-frame style as MkI

Variants

  • 289 street cars: the bulk of MkII production
  • 289 FIA / competition cars: a small number of MkII chassis built or modified for FIA-spec competition
  • 289 Dragonsnake: a documented competition variant built specifically for drag racing applications

Sub-variant detail and chassis ranges to be filled in during Phase 1 from cited sources.

How to identify

  • Chassis number prefix: CSX, in the later portion of the original CSX range (post-MkI, pre-CSX3000)
  • Rack-and-pinion steering is the primary mechanical tell distinguishing MkII from MkI
  • 289 engine (small-block) — MkII cars do not carry the 427 big-block; that’s CSX3 territory
  • Body shape and bumper configuration evolved slightly from MkI; specifics to be documented from period sources

Exact chassis number ranges to be confirmed from SAAC registry data during Phase 1 buildout.

Notable chassis numbers

To be added as build articles for specific MkII cars are written. Likely candidates: documented FIA cars, the Dragonsnake cars, and any chassis with notable racing or ownership history.

  • CSX2588 — the second-to-last 289 Cobra ever built and the last 4-speed 289 Cobra Roadster sold to the public. Constructed in 1965 in Rouge Iris (Maroon), one of 56 leaf-spring Cobras delivered in that color. Retains its original chassis, body, engine, and drivetrain; never required a full restoration. Delivered new to Vel’s Ford Sales in Torrance, California, and sold new to A.L. Gassaway of Long Beach. Acquired in 2006 by Shelby historian Colin Comer, who repainted it in the original color and sorted it mechanically. Sold at Mecum Monterey on August 16, 2019, Lot F139, for $1,045,000 after a 2017-2019 chain of five no-sale appearances at Mecum events. Documented in the SAAC Cobra World Registry. [Source: https://cobra-authority.com/1965-shelby-cobra-289-csx2588/] (added from CSX2588 article)

  • CSX2416 — the only factory Stage III 289 Street Cobra ever built. 1964 production, billed to Shelby American on April 27, 1964 and ordered by Frye’s Ford of Belleville, Kansas with a documented MSRP of $8,684.05 — the highest documented Cobra option specification of its era. Stage III 289 V8 with four Weber downdraft carburetors; the option list itemized in the Shelby American accounting ledger. Photographed in period by Dave Friedman in front of Shelby’s office (Friedman Shelby Cobra: The Shelby American Original Archives, 1962-1965 p86; Colin Comer The Complete Book of Shelby Automobiles p20). Restored 2014-2018 by Steven Juliano and Dave Riley using only NOS and original parts; sold at Mecum Indianapolis on May 17, 2019 for $1,760,000. [Source: https://cobra-authority.com/1964-shelby-cobra-289-csx-2416/] (added from CSX2416 article)

  • CSX2203 — 1964 Mark II 289 Cobra featured in Disney’s 1968 The Love Bug, racing the VW Beetle "Herbie" at Riverside International Raceway. Owned by Ernie Nagamatsu since at least 1984 (second owner of record) and campaigned continuously in historic competition since that year, including the Goodwood Revival Tourist Trophy Race twice and the 2014 Rolex Australia F1 Grand Prix Historic trophy (co-winner with the 1959 Old Yeller II Buick Special). Originally delivered with one of three Le Mans aluminum hardtops fabricated at AC Cars in England; the original hardtop is preserved separately and the car currently races with an exact aluminum replica. [Source: https://cobra-authority.com/1964-shelby-cobra-289-csx2203-movie-the-love-bug-1968/] (added from CSX2203 article)

Sources

Last reviewed: May 16, 2026