The Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe stands as a monumental testament to American ingenuity in motorsports—Carroll Shelby's direct challenge to Ferrari's reign in international GT racing. For collectors and enthusiasts alike, understanding how many Shelby Daytonas were made during their incredibly limited production run reveals why these vehicles stand among today's most coveted and valuable classic cars..

Shelby Daytona: How Many Were Made?

Carroll Shelby and his team built exactly six Shelby Daytona Coupes between 1964 and 1965. This small production run occurred because Ford reassigned Shelby's team to the GT40 project for the Le Mans competition.

The six chassis numbers are:

• CSX2286
• CSX2287
• CSX2299
• CSX2300
• CSX2601
• CSX2602

Each car was hand-built to beat Ferrari in the FIA World Championship for GT Manufacturers.

How Many Shelby Daytona Coupes Are Left?

All six cars still exist today. This makes the Daytona Coupe one of the few race car programs in which every single car survived. Their remarkable survival rate contributes significantly to their high value and historical importance.

Why the Daytona Coupe Was Built?

Designer Pete Brock had to solve a speed problem. The Cobra roadster won races on short American tracks but lost to Ferrari on long European straights like Le Mans. While the roadster topped out at 157 mph, while Ferrari's 250 GTO could hit 186 mph.

Brock used German aerodynamic research from Dr. Wunibald Kamm to design a closed-roof version. The prototype (CSX2287) was built at Shelby's Venice, California, shop. Carrozzeria Gransport made the other five bodies in Modena, Italy.

Where Is Each Car Now?

CSX2287 - The Original Prototype

This car has the most history. It caught fire during refueling at Daytona in 1964, was owned by music producer Phil Spector, and disappeared for 30 years in storage.

Dr. Frederick Simeone bought it in 2001 and preserved it rather than restored it. The car now sits at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum in Philadelphia. In 2014, it was named the IHMA "Car of the Year". It became the first car on the Historic Vehicle Association's National Historic Vehicle Register.

The Other Five Cars

CSX2299 is currently owned by Larry H. Miller Group and is displayed at the Shelby American Collection in Boulder, Colorado. The original bill of sale called it "the number one Cobra Daytona coupe."

CSX2601 was sold for $7.25 million on August 15, 2009, and is currently owned by the Perez Companc family from Argentina. CSX2602 raced in red and white Swiss colors for Scuderia Filipinetti at Le Mans in 1965. CSX2300 was owned by Carroll Shelby himself before being sold.

Technical Specs

The Daytona Coupe used the Cobra roadster chassis with new aerodynamic bodywork. Where the roadster maxed out at 157 mph, the coupe could hit 190 mph.

Specifications:

• Engine: Ford 289 cubic inch V8
• Power: 385 horsepower
• Weight: 2,299 pounds
• Top Speed: 190+ mph
• Wheelbase: 90 inches
• Transmission: Borg Warner T10 4-speed

The key design feature was the "Kamm tail" - a cut-off rear end that improved airflow.

Racing Success

In the 1965 season, Shelby made history by becoming the first American manufacturer to capture a title on the international stage at the FIA World Championships. This achievement came through the success of the Shelby Daytona Coupe in the International Championship for GT Manufacturers.

1964 Season

In their first year of competition, the Shelby Daytona Coupes finished second (to Ferrari by 6 points) in the GT III class in the 1964 International Championship for GT Manufacturers. Key wins included:

• 12 Hours of Sebring GT class (Dave MacDonald/Bob Holbert)
• 24 Hours of Le Mans GT class (Dan Gurney/Bob Bondurant)

1965 Championship

In 1965, the Shelby Daytona Coupes secured the International Championship for GT Manufacturers in the GT III class, finishing 19 points ahead of their rivals. Their dominant performance included class victories at prestigious races such as Daytona, Sebring, Monza, Nürburgring, and Reims.

Bonneville Speed Records and Current Values

In November 1965, CSX2287 set 25 world speed records at Bonneville Salt Flats. Drivers Craig Breedlove, Bobby Tatroe, and Tom Greatorex averaged 150 mph over 1,931 miles, breaking records from the 1930s.

Original Daytona Coupes sell for millions of dollars. Proper authentication requires extensive documentation through the Shelby American Automobile Club (SAAC). Values depend on original condition, racing history, and documentation.

Continuation Cars and Replicas

In 2015, Shelby American announced that 50 Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupes would be built to celebrate the 50th anniversary of that historic Championship victory. The 50 continuation cars will receive numbered plaques, with serial numbers CSX9950-CSX9999 reserved for the special Daytona Coupes.

Companies like Superformance build high-quality replicas for enthusiasts who want the driving experience.

Experience Authentic Shelby Performance Today

While the question of how many Shelby Daytona Coupes exist is answered by just six originals that cost millions, Hillbank Motor Corporation is an authorized dealer of Superformance and Shelby Cobra vehicles, offering a range of meticulously engineered classic '60s American sports cars. With over 40 years of family heritage in motorsports and locations in California and Florida, we specialize in fully licensed Shelby Cobras, Daytonas, and GT40s.

Our passion for Shelby Cobra and Cobra customers inspired us to make them an integral part of the business. We expanded into pre-owned vehicles while offering financing, trade-ins, and consignments. Our team understands authentic Shelby performance—the feeling when that V8 fires up, recreating the same experience that beat Ferrari.

Contact Hillbank Motor Corporation or visit our showroom to explore authentic Shelby performance vehicles today.