Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe

It’s hard to believe it’s been 60 years since the Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe was released. This iconic car had a monumental impact on racing and automotive design and set new benchmarks on the track. In celebration of its 60th anniversary, let’s explore the exciting history of the Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe’s inception, triumphs, and legacy.

Genesis of the 1964 Daytona Coupe

Carroll Shelby’s brilliance was partly due to his successful career as a racer. His background allowed him to understand the nuances needed to win on the track in a way that most manufacturers couldn’t. He knew that to win on the European tracks, he’d need to design a more aerodynamic car than the Roadster.

Shelby enlisted the help of visionary designer Pete Brock to bring this idea to life. Together, the Shelby American team created a legendary vehicle to dominate the races.

Fueled by Competition

Throughout his storied career, Shelby was continuously fueled by his rivalry with Ferrari. He wanted to build a GT race car that could leave the all-reigning Ferrari in its dust. During this time, Ferrari was a consistent champion on the track. They were known to be the best. But Shelby wanted to be better. Aside from his desire to build the fastest car and dethrone Ferrari, Shelby’s drive to win was also personal. According to Shelby, he felt personally disrespected by Enzo Ferrari and had a grievance about how Ferrari treated his drivers.

2024 is the 60th Anniversary of the Daytona Coupe’s Innovative Designs

Much like everything Carroll Shelby developed, the Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe set a new precedent in automotive design. Shelby was known for pushing the limits to create faster, race-winning cars. The Daytona Coupe’s advanced design was the foundation for the car’s resounding success.

Pushing the Limits of Aerodynamics

Peter Brock’s visionary risks while designing the Daytona Coupe are as well known as the car itself. Speed is one of the top components in winning races, and Brock was given the seemingly impossible task of creating a car that would match Ferrari’s speed with long straights.

The main hurdle was the aerodynamic drag. As a young man working at GM, Brock found and studied Dr. Wunibald Kamm’s work on aerodynamics. Pre-war German engineer Dr. Kamm noted that teardrop shapes were the key to aerodynamic efficiency. Armed with Dr. Kamm’s theories and a determination that his team’s skepticism could not sway, Brock began creating the Daytona Coupe legacy.

A Bit of Luck, A Lot of Vision

Against all odds, the CSX2286 was on the track in 3 months. Competition manager Ken Miles and the fabricators at Shelby American worked tirelessly, without finalized drawings, to transform a drafting table idea into the Daytona Coupe.

Ken Miles test-drove the Coupe and determined that it was 3.5 seconds per lap faster around Riverside than the roadster and was roughly 30 mph faster, exceeding 185 mph. All of Brock’s aerodynamic work paid off and even led to a 20–30% reduction in fuel use, meaning fewer pit stops for the drivers.

Help Kids Win the Race for Life

Carroll Shelby’s legacy extends beyond the racetrack. He was also a philanthropist who founded the Carroll Shelby Foundation to help children fighting life-threatening medical conditions.

By purchasing limited-edition Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe items from the CFS Centennial Collection, you can play a part in helping children from around the world receive the medical care they need. Proceeds from each purchase go to the Carroll Shelby Foundation.

The Historical Significance of the 1964 Daytona Coupe

The proof of concept was in the wins. This car was a champion. The Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe saw historical victories across many prestigious racetracks, from the 24 Hours of Le Mans to the Daytona International Speedway.

Daytona International Speedway Debut

The CXS2287 model debuted at the Daytona International Speedway for the 1964 Daytona Continental 2000 km. Dave MacDonald and Bob Holbert helmed the wheel, beating their highest practice record. Despite the car not being fully ready, setting a new record gave the Shelby American team hope for its performance. However, the team suffered a minor setback on lap 209 when the Daytona Coupe caught fire during a pit stop.

Despite the fire and need for repairs, the Daytona Coupe was ready for the 1964 12hrs of Sebring race, where it achieved its first victory. The car came in fourth, beating out the N.A.R.T. Ferrari 250 GTO.

Revisiting the Production Challenges on the 60th Anniversary of the Daytona Coupe

Legends aren’t built without some adversity. The Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe saw its fair share of production challenges — from financing, time restraints, and even team morale. Through each challenge, the Shelby American team exceeded all expectations and unveiled an iconic car that is a testament to persistence and vision.

Financing Tribulations

At the time, Ford was fully committed to its GT40 program and could offer no financial support for the Daytona Coupe build. Without financial support, the car could not be built or tested. Luckily, Goodyear saved the day and financed the entire project. Within four months, the Shelby American team transformed a drafting table concept into a race-ready car at Daytona Raceway.

Breaking Records Before the Track

Phil Remington was met with his own set of challenges. Several members of the California fabricating team deemed the project “ugly” and declined to work on it. Backed by a small team led by Ken Miles, they got to work. It took a lot of hard work and countless hours, but they built the Daytona Coupe in record time.

Celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Daytona Coupe with Authentic Merchandise

Fans and enthusiasts can celebrate the Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe’s 60th anniversary through the Shelby Store. Our exclusive Shelby Daytona Coupe merchandise, including canvas art, vinyl banners, metal signs, and diecast collectibles, is a great way to honor the legacy of this iconic car. Visit the Shelby Store to commemorate six decades of Daytona Coupe.