A 1964 Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe sold for 42,905,000 million at Gooding Christie’s Pebble Beach Auctions setting a new record for an American car sold at auction. The result came during the first evening of Gooding Christie’s 2026 Pebble Beach Auctions on Friday August 14 and far exceeded the car’s pre-sale estimate of more than $25 million.
Known by its chassis number, CSX2300, the Daytona Coupe is one of only six examples built by Shelby American to challenge Ferrari’s 250 GTO in international GT competition. It is also the only Cobra Daytona Coupe ever personally owned by Carroll Shelby, who acquired the car in 1975 and retained it until 1998.
The $42,905,000 result surpasses the previous American auction record of $22 million established by a 1935 Duesenberg SSJ sold by Gooding Christie’s at Pebble Beach in 2018.
For Monterey Car Week 2026 the significance of the sale extends beyond its price. CSX2300 carries a direct connection to the racing program that established Shelby American as a force in international GT competition and helped deliver the 1965 FIA GT World Manufacturers’ Championship.
Built to Challenge Ferrari
The story of CSX2300 begins with Carroll Shelby.
After retiring from racing because of a heart condition, Shelby turned his attention to building cars. He recognized the potential of the lightweight AC Ace and combined it with Ford’s small block V8 to create the Shelby Cobra.
The Cobra quickly became a competitive force. But Shelby needed greater aerodynamic efficiency to challenge Ferrari on high speed circuits.
The solution came from designer Peter Brock.
Brock created a closed coupe with a fastback profile, long roofline and Kamm tail. The design transformed the Cobra into a purpose built competition car.
Only six Cobra Daytona Coupes were produced.
CSX2300 was the third. Its lightweight aluminum body was constructed by Carrozzeria Grandsport in Modena, Italy.
CSX2300 Goes Racing
CSX2300 made its debut at the 1964 Tour de France Automobile.
Wearing Viking Blue and race number 187, it was driven by Bob Bondurant and Jochen Neerpasch. The car won the opening stages at Reims and the Bramont Hill Climb before mechanical problems ended its run.
The following year brought a stronger campaign.
At the Daytona Continental 2000 Kilometers, CSX2300 finished sixth overall and third in class. At Sebring, it finished 13th overall and third in class.
The car then crossed the Atlantic.
At the Nürburgring 1000 Kilometers, it finished 12th overall and third in class. At the 12 Hours of Reims, it finished ninth overall and second in class.
Those results helped Shelby American secure the 1965 FIA GT World Manufacturers’ Championship.
A Second Racing Career in Japan
CSX2300 did not retire when Shelby American’s factory program ended.
It was the only Cobra Daytona Coupe to continue its competition career beyond the factory program. The car raced successfully in Japan through 1968, including appearances at Fuji Speedway and the Japan Grand Prix.
In 1966, Tadashi Sakai drove CSX2300 to overall victories at All Japan Suzuka and the Diamond Trophy Fuji.
The car continued competing into 1968.
That second racing career gives CSX2300 a history unlike the other five Daytona Coupes.
Carroll Shelby Brings It Home
Years later, Cobra historian Michael L. Shoen traced CSX2300 in Japan.
Shoen helped broker its sale to Carroll Shelby in 1975.
The significance was direct. Shelby, the man whose ambition created the car and whose organization developed it, now owned one of the Daytona Coupes himself.
CSX2300 remained in Shelby’s possession until 1998. It remains the only Daytona Coupe ever owned by its creator.
Shelby entrusted Cobra specialist Mike McCluskey of Torrance, California, with a comprehensive restoration. The car was returned to its 1965 specification.
During Shelby’s ownership, CSX2300 appeared at major marque gatherings. These included SAAC 9 in Anaheim in 1994 and the Cobra 30th Reunion at Sonoma in 1995.
It also appeared at the Monterey Historic Automobile Races.
A Car That Continued to Be Driven
After passing through several owners, CSX2300 was acquired by Larry Bowman in 2000.
The car underwent another meticulous restoration. The work preserved important evidence of its racing history and respected its original character.
In 2003, CSX2300 returned to the Monterey Historics and appeared at the Goodwood Revival.
Under its current ownership, the Daytona Coupe has continued to be driven and shown at major historic events. Its appearances include Tour Auto, Modena Cento Ore, Goodwood Revival and the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The car was also entered at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2026.
A New Chapter at Pebble Beach
CSX2300 arrived at Gooding Christie’s with a rare combination of competition history and provenance.
It was one of six Cobra Daytona Coupes built to challenge Ferrari.
It helped Shelby American win the 1965 FIA GT World Manufacturers’ Championship.
It continued racing in Japan after the factory program ended.
It was rediscovered by Michael L. Shoen.
It became Carroll Shelby’s personal Daytona Coupe.
It was restored to its 1965 specification and continued to appear at major historic events.
Now CSX2300 has added another distinction to its history.
At $42,905,000, the 1964 Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe has set a new auction record for an American car.
The record was established at Pebble Beach during Monterey Car Week 2026, more than six decades after the car first took to the track.