Goodwood Revival 2018 – RAC TT Qualifying Lap. Onboard the Shelby Cobra (video)

Here’s a cool video that we came across which has a Shelby Cobra giving it a lot of beans during a qualifying lap at the 2018 Goodwood Revival.  On-board with Martin Stretton, qualifying for the RAC Tourist Trophy.

Here’s some history on the car.

Shelby Cobra CSX2112 was billed to Shelby American on January 1963 after which the car had 3 US owners, where it led a normal life until bought by Jim Gould in 1976. After having owned the car for 20+ years, Jim modified the Cobra in 2000 to compete in Vintage races. After several years as a successful vintage racer and 33 years of ownership, Gould sold CSX2112 – through Curt Vogt of Cobra Automotive – in 2007 to Dutch historic racer Peter Van Hoepen. Peter sent CSX2112 to renowned UK Cobra preparer Classic Racing Cars Ltd (“CRC”) where it has been looked after until today.

Purchased in 2012 by the current owner, CSX2112 has been racing with great success on the European historic racing scene recording many wins and podium finishes, including two wins in the prestigious Peter Auto Sixties Endurance race during the Spa Classic. The car has also catalogued pole positions, wins and podiums in a number of Masters Historic Racing Gentlemen Drivers series between 2012 and 2018.

Repairs

Following a crash during the 2016 Goodwood Members Meeting, the car’s bodywork was meticulously repaired by G&A Fabrications, renowned for their works on AC and Shelby Cobras and their expertise in preservation of original panels. An extensive G&A repair description and picture file accompanies the car. CSX2112 was then mechanically overhauled by Classic Racing Cars Ltd, leading preparers of racing Cobras, with multiple Goodwood and Le Mans Classic winning cars to their name. The gearbox, suspension and brakes where rebuilt, a new fuel cell and fire system was installed, and the engine was rebuilt to latest FIA specification by V8 engine specialist Steve Warrior.

Restoration

During the summer of 2018 the current owner commissioned Brooklands Motor Company, renowned AC expert body shop and owner of the AC works archives and original wooden bucks, to carry out a comprehensive restoration of the car. The owner’s mandate was simple: change the car from a slightly “hot-rod” race car, a look inherited when it was converted from road to FIA race car all those years ago, to the best looking 1963 Shelby Cobra in Europe, correct in every aspect. The car was stripped to bare metal and substantial man hours were dedicated to enhancing the car’s overall aesthetics, which included substantial reshaping of the wheel arches, wings and nose section, using the original jig. In addition, work included enhancing the car’s interior, fitting lightweight quilted leather, period correct Cobra lights and chrome fittings. The car was then resprayed in period correct AC Dark Blue.

An aluminium hardtop is currently being manufactured, rear valance repaired and will also be fitted also be fitted with a new, correct dashboard in October 2018.

Summary

Benefitting from a current FIA HTP and recent refurbishment, CSX2112 is now looking more resplendent than ever and remains one of the most competitive, best-handling, attractive and front-running FIA racing Cobras in Europe.

Recently returned from a highly successful participation in the 2018 Goodwood Revival, CSX2112 starred in the most prestigious and competitive pre-66 GT race in the world, the RAC Tourist Trophy. The car ran close to the front all race, including six laps in the lead.