"pitstop_pitowski" (paulopitstoppitowski)
11/15/2014 at 19:58 • Filed to: Carroll Shelby
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"pitstop_pitowski" (paulopitstoppitowski)
11/15/2014 at 19:58 • Filed to: Carroll Shelby | 22
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As promised earlier, here are the Cobras from the Miller Motorsports museum. My apologies as I took all of these photos with an ipotato and was in a rush since we only had a few minutes to look over these beauties before embarking on a full day of flogging Ford Focus and Fiesta ST's. By the end of the day the museum was closed and we still had some karting to attend to! I missed quite a few important cars but all in all it was a great day. By all means if you are ever in the Salt Lake City area go check this out. You will not be disappointed with all of the rare cars inside!
This (red #16) is the first production Cobra CSX, chassis name CSX 2002. Built in 1962 in the industrial back streets of Venice, California by a group of hot rodders and a retired road racing champion by the name of Carroll Shelby. This car began the legend of the Cobra with the simple formula of a huge powerplant partnered with a lightweight chassis. The Cobra was built with the latest Ford 260 cubic inch high performance V8 engine shoved into a modified aluminum bodied English AC roadster.
The 1965 Shelby Cobra 427 S/C. This is one of 31 cars converted to the S/C variation. Carroll Shelby installed a 427 cubic inch engine into the standard Cobra chassis with the intention of being a semi-competition vehicle.
Hat tip to !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! for mentioning the next two, the Cobra Dragon Snake and SFM5R535 1965 Shelby GT350R.
Chassis SFM5R535 is the 1965 Ford Shelby GT350R. Ford asked Shelby to make a high-performance street version of the Mustang. This 1965 Shelby GT350 Mustang is an original R-Model and the 35th of 36 pure racing GT350s built. Chassis SFM5R535 was sold to Peruvian racer Benito Lores and when the engine was damaged in 1967 it was stored for a decade, then sold and repaired. It stayed in Peru until 1984 when it was sold to an American collector. The chassis was brought back to the United States for restoration and acquired by Miller Motorsports in 2005 where it is currently housed.
Chassis CSX 2357 was one of only eight Dragon Snakes that were produced by Shelby American. This chassis was one of two factory-prepared Cobra 289 Dragonsnakes, with the other six ordered by private teams. The Dragon Snake was built exclusively as a ¼-mile drag car and was delivered NHRA-spec ready.
This is the factory team Sebring Roadster for 1963, chassis name CSX 2128. This was the first of the Cobras to use rack and pinion steering and the 289 engine. This car raced from March through July of 1963 and was then sold. It was so successful, however, that Shelby American bought it back and used it for the 1964 season.
This chassis is among one of my personal favorites. This is the 1963 factory team 289 Cobra used at Le Mans. Chassis name CSX 2138 was one of three specially built for racing at Le Mans, this particular chassis is the only Cobra Le Mans to have raced with a hard top at Le Mans. It was also raced as an independent racer.
This is chassis CSX 2155, a 1963 289 Cobra Le Mans replica. This was one of three Le Mans replica chassis built exclusively for independent customers. This Cobra was built in late 1963 to FIA specifications and has larger front fender vents and a different dash than its predecessors. It was originally owned by Thomas Mellon Hitchcock III, who came from a wealthy family and co-drove this car along with Prince Zourab Tchkotoua of Thailand in several events including 14 th overall at Sebring in 1964.
Chassis CSX 2488, a Shelby Factory Team Cobra for 1964. This was raced under the factory Cobra team colors from 1964 through 1966 and then loaned to Universal Studios for the movie Redline 7000. It was then sold to a private owner who promptly damaged the front end in an accident. It sat in storage for almost 30 years until it was purchased by Dan Gerber (an original Cobra factory driver) in 2000 and restored to its original condition as it is shown today.
1964 Cobra Daytona Coupe, chassis CSX 2299. At the end of the 1963 season Shelby American realized that they needed better aerodynamics to keep up with the Ferrari 250 GTO. Pete Brock suggested the coupe design, and it went on to be the first American built FIA GT World Champion. This particular chassis was the second coupe built and competed in ten FIA races between 1964 and 1965, winning the 1964 Le Mans GT class with Dan Gurney and Bob Bondurant and finished second in the 1965 Le Mans race with Jack Sears and Dick Thompson at the helm. It also won the 24 hour race at Daytona in 1965 and at Sebring in that year. Overall, this chassis won four GT races and finished second three times.
Thunderface
> pitstop_pitowski
11/15/2014 at 20:03 |
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This place looks AMAZING
Blondude
> pitstop_pitowski
11/15/2014 at 20:14 |
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This is what CSX2128, the "Executor", originally looked like. It was driven by Allen Grant (a privateer who later raced for Shelby American) and the original livery was designed by a longtime friend of him, George Lucas (yup, that guy). Sometime between then and now the original body was lost and a reproduction body was made, which is the one currently on the car. The original body has since been found and is hanging on the wall at the Shelby American Collection over in Boulder, Colorado. Here 's some more info on that courtesy of Oppo's one and only Mosqvich.
WhiskeyGolf
> pitstop_pitowski
11/15/2014 at 20:39 |
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Having just finished reading Go like Hell about Ford's Le Mans effort in the 60s, it's great to see the cars that were the story's characters. Thanks for the pictures!
desertdog5051
> pitstop_pitowski
11/15/2014 at 20:47 |
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I assume that is the Larry H. Miller of car dealerships fame. He is a smart/great businessman. He bought up 5 dealerships where I live in 2008 when the auto sales crunch hit.
Frank Grimes
> pitstop_pitowski
11/15/2014 at 20:47 |
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can you just show up? I have been there for a few events but have never got to the museum do they charge monies?
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pitstop_pitowski
> Frank Grimes
11/15/2014 at 21:30 |
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I believe they are open regularly. It was free to us that day, but was closed by the end of the day (@5pm). I remember one of the people we were with said it was open to the public and that they had been to it before on a non-track day.
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pitstop_pitowski
> desertdog5051
11/15/2014 at 21:34 |
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The one and only. I had never heard of him before until the day before I went to his wonderful facility. The man was a true Jalop...
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desertdog5051
> pitstop_pitowski
11/15/2014 at 23:14 |
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That's cool to hear. Thanks.
HammerheadFistpunch
> desertdog5051
11/16/2014 at 00:44 |
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was, deceased a few years ago. meet him a couple of time.
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HammerheadFistpunch
> pitstop_pitowski
11/16/2014 at 00:44 |
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im guessing you didn't get a chance to see Greg Millers Land Cruiser museum. I gotta get over there.
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pitstop_pitowski
> HammerheadFistpunch
11/16/2014 at 08:32 |
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No, at the time I had no idea that was at the same complex. And all told, from the morning instruction to driving we were busy from @8 to 5pm and then did some karting after that so we wouldn't have had the time. Next time!
Fuel_of_Satan
> Blondude
11/16/2014 at 11:02 |
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George Lucas seems to be a bit of a "secret Jalop". Or retired Jalop perhaps, I'm not sure he's been around cars much since the days he recreated in American Graffiti.
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Fuel_of_Satan
> pitstop_pitowski
11/16/2014 at 11:03 |
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So that's where they all went?
Great pictures, thanks for sharing! I need to make this a stop if I get to the States on vacation.
DMCVegas
> pitstop_pitowski
11/16/2014 at 11:04 |
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sundudecan
> pitstop_pitowski
11/16/2014 at 11:04 |
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Sorry, but this is CSX2019 not CSX2357. And yes, it is an original factory Dragon Snake.
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sundudecan
> pitstop_pitowski
11/16/2014 at 11:05 |
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Sorry, but CSX3017 is a full-competition 427 Cobra, not an S/C "semi-competition" model.
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sundudecan
> pitstop_pitowski
11/16/2014 at 11:06 |
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Sorry, but CSX2002 is NOT the first production Cobra; that was CSX2001. But it is the first competition Cobra ever made.
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sundudecan
> pitstop_pitowski
11/16/2014 at 11:07 |
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CSX2128 is the also cover car on the record album, "Hey Little Cobra" by The Rip Chords.
jiffylube
> HammerheadFistpunch
11/16/2014 at 11:22 |
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fortuentley he still has some sons and grandsons that inherited the gearhead gene.
Daniel Fleck
> pitstop_pitowski
11/16/2014 at 11:26 |
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Since you didn't post any ass shots for the Mix-a-lot club...
flabberboozled
> Frank Grimes
11/16/2014 at 11:32 |
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Yep, I showed up on a random day almost three years ago. I drove out to MMS and when I arrived the gift shop/museum was closed. I called the number on the website and their PR person answered and was very apologetic. She sent someone to open the museum and told me to call her back when I was done so she could lock the museum. So, I had unfettered access to the museum without any supervision for a few hours.
Maxxuman
> pitstop_pitowski
11/16/2014 at 11:36 |
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Now here's a car I'd love to see more of. I assume it's one of Bud Moore's Trans Am Cougars. They very nearly beat the Mustangs that year and the first gen Cougars are the coolest.
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desertdog5051
> HammerheadFistpunch
11/16/2014 at 11:47 |
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Did not know that. His legacy lives on.
6shelBfan6
> HammerheadFistpunch
11/16/2014 at 11:48 |
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I was fortunate enough to meet the curator of the MMP museum and get a perDonal your back in May. Apparently the Land Cruiser collection is private and as much as I begged, we weren't allowed to see it. From what they described, it sounds incredible. Mr. Miller had an off road park built on the premises replicating Moab so he could wheel the trucks there. What a guy!
grantsprofile
> desertdog5051
11/16/2014 at 12:44 |
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His son (Roger Miller) passed away last year. He was a driving force (pun intended) behind carrying on the race track after Larry's passing. Roger raced in the Pirelli World Challenge for a few years before his passing in August 2013.
soundman98
> pitstop_pitowski
11/16/2014 at 12:56 |
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THANKYOU!!! for actually captioning most of the pictures you took, instead of just rambling about how great the luncheon was or something between that space between pictures. it is my biggest annoyance with "automotive journalists" as they like to call themselves....
Oran J Sands III
> pitstop_pitowski
11/16/2014 at 12:59 |
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Here's a Cobra that's missing from that collection. The one Dan Gurney drove to the 1st FIA Championship, beating Ferrari. Local vintage racer having fun with it now.
Francois
> pitstop_pitowski
11/16/2014 at 13:10 |
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Hey, I think the pictures are just great. Thank you for the post.
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Super7777777
> pitstop_pitowski
11/16/2014 at 13:11 |
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This looks like a must see kind of place and I'll put it on my list if I'm in the area. However, it pales to what can be seen at the recently opened (to the public) Collier collection at the Revs Institute in Naples. FL. If you are into classic/historic/important sports and racing cars, this is the best in the country. It's open to the public Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, and they do charge a $30 entrance fee. They ask that you schedule your visit in advance. http://revsinstitute.org/the-collection…
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Frank Grimes
> flabberboozled
11/16/2014 at 14:05 |
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whoa thats wierd they do realize cars are expensive!?
mad.anthony
> pitstop_pitowski
11/16/2014 at 14:16 |
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An iPotato? That sounds delicious!
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6shelBfan6
> Oran J Sands III
11/16/2014 at 14:25 |
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Wow talk about some perspective. The 917 is dwarfed by the already tiny Cobra! Can't imagine what 1200+ hp would be like in a go kart!
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6shelBfan6
> Maxxuman
11/16/2014 at 14:28 |
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Can't remember much about that specific car, but it was driven by Dan Gurney and came second in the '67 Trans Am championship to Jerry Titus in the Mustang.
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6shelBfan6
> sundudecan
11/16/2014 at 14:30 |
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I think you are right, 2002 was the first race car.
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6shelBfan6
> pitstop_pitowski
11/16/2014 at 14:32 |
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Do you remember the story on this car? I know it was an unfinished Daytona Coupe, but I cannot remember the story behind it.
Also, one of the coolest parts of the museum is the priceless collection of rare and one-off prototype parts. You could easily spend a day looking at them alone. It was a treat to read your articles on the place! Jalopnik could use more stuff like this!
ADeleteMe
> pitstop_pitowski
11/16/2014 at 14:57 |
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Psh, probably all replicas.
Kidding, awesome shots/cars, thanks!
G/O Sucks
> Fuel_of_Satan
11/16/2014 at 17:33 |
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No, he's still a huge car guy with a few gems in a collection and he attends F1 races regularly. He's just very private so we don't see it much.
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G/O Sucks
> sundudecan
11/16/2014 at 17:38 |
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Correct — CSX2001 became a modified race car but it was the first production unit made. Currently owned by Bruce Meyer's collection.
Chaparral2F
> pitstop_pitowski
11/16/2014 at 17:50 |
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This museum is simply over the top. It is Ford and Shelby overload. To see all the fine Cobras in addition to the GTs is a must see for any race fan. These are the cars I grew up with as a kid and even 50 years later, they still tug at my heart as they did back in the day. Thank you so much for sharing!
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grantsprofile
> pitstop_pitowski
11/16/2014 at 20:33 |
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Fact: Roger Miller's widow drives a white LFA Nurburgring Edition.
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Fuel_of_Satan
> G/O Sucks
11/16/2014 at 20:34 |
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I guess I haven't noticed as I'm not a huge fan of his big hit movies, just that one cult classic. But whenever I do hear anything about him he seems like a really cool guy.
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grantsprofile
> grantsprofile
11/16/2014 at 20:38 |
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Fact #2: Roger Miller once gave me a ride from one end of Miller Motorsports Park to the other at the end of WSBK qualifying when he saw my fiancee and I walking through the dirt. He then got us into pit lane with a wink saying "I didn't tell you that this door goes to the garages. The teams and riders may or may not be hanging out on the other side."
filthflarnfilth
> pitstop_pitowski
11/16/2014 at 23:20 |
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Thanks for the pics and stories.
muttons
> desertdog5051
11/17/2014 at 08:38 |
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A friend of mine who was a Ford designer had a great story about Larry Miller. Miller came to the Mustang studio to take a tour. He had just opened his motorsports park and was planning a Mustang racing series so Ford invited him over to see what they were working on. My friend was tasked with giving him a tour and at some point my friend's love of the Utah Jazz came up. At the end of the day Miller thanked my friend for his assistance and randomly asked for his number. A few weeks later he got a call from Miller asking what his address was so he could send him something. Then a few days after that a big box arrived and inside was a pair of Andre Kirilenko's basketball shoes, a basketball signed by the entire Utah Jazz team and a note thanking him again for the tour and telling him that the next time he and his family were in town, there would be floor seats at the Jazz game waiting for him.
Larry Miller. True gearhead and all around class act. RIP Larry.
Plecostomus is a starred commenter
> Frank Grimes
11/17/2014 at 11:36 |
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The museum has a small admission fee, sometimes.
It's not exactly high security, there's a friggin gift shop they want you to visit connected to it
also on I think either Tues or Thurs you can pay and run your own car on the MMP circuit
MMPMedia
> 6shelBfan6
11/17/2014 at 12:11 |
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Sorry I'm late to the party. Busy weekend. That unfinished car was going to be a 427-powered Daytona Super Coupe. British racer/team owner John Willment contacted Shelby about buying a Daytona Coupe. Shelby told him they'd moved on to the GT40s but offered to send him the original body bucks to build his own. He did build a 289-powered coupe (CSX-2131) that was raced throughout Europe and South Africa, but when Larry bought that one he found this unfinished coupe and purchased it as well with orders that it remain as found. A cool snapshot in time of what would have been the mightiest Daytona Coupe of them all. The trailer it's sitting on is an original Team Shelby transport trailer, with original pin striping on the fenders.
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MMPMedia
> sundudecan
11/17/2014 at 12:13 |
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Correct. CSX-2000 was the original prototype, still owned by Shelby's estate and located at the Shelby offices in Vegas. Bruce Meyer has CSX-2001; it was originally assembled in Ed Hugus' shop in Pittsburgh. CSX-2002 was the first car assembled on Shelby's production line in California, and was the first Cobra to race (Riverside 1962, Billy Krause).
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MMPMedia
> sundudecan
11/17/2014 at 12:15 |
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That is correct. It is the first Dragonsnake. It was also the red No. 98 Cobra in the movie "Viva Las Vegas."
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MMPMedia
> pitstop_pitowski
11/17/2014 at 12:19 |
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Thanks so much for sharing your great photos! Sorry I was late replying. Wish you'd contacted me when you were here. The Larry H. Miller Total Performance Museum is in fact free to the public and is usually open 7 days a week until 5:00 pm. There is NEVER a fee. We do occasionally have corporate events in the museum so it might be good to call before you come out (435-277-8000). If anyone has any questions, feel free to contact me.
—John Gardner, Media Manager, Miller Motorsports Park
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6shelBfan6
> MMPMedia
11/17/2014 at 12:20 |
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Thanks for the clarification! I knew there was a story, but could't remember what it was.
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MMPMedia
> Maxxuman
11/17/2014 at 12:21 |
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Yes, that is one of the Bud Moore Cougars. Driven by Dan Gurney, Parnelli Jones, Ed Leslie and David Pearson. Finished second to Ford in the championship in '67 (no driver points, just manufacturer points) on a tie-breaker and then the program was killed since Ford didn't want to compete with itself and Penske was getting ready to jump into Trans-Am with the Camaros. A very cool piece.
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desertdog5051
> muttons
11/17/2014 at 21:05 |
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Did not know that. Sounds like a real guy. Was all this in the Karl Malone era? (yeah, you can tell I'm not a big basketball follower). The reason I ask is because he bought Karl Malone Toyota here and it is now Larry H. Miller Toyota. That happened about 2008-09. Great story. I always like to hear the inside stuff. Thanks.
ChrisVette
> pitstop_pitowski
11/18/2014 at 05:26 |
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My favorite car theme place to visit. I did a nice walk through video of the collection once, not sure where that ended up.
Why have you forgotten the GT-40's??
nicksedg
> desertdog5051
11/19/2014 at 15:33 |
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Larry H Miller, the late owner of the Utah Jazz.
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desertdog5051
> nicksedg
11/19/2014 at 16:12 |
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Interesting he once owned the Jazz which Karl Malone was probably part of of at the time. In 2008 he bought Karl Malone Toyota here.
TheAutoRules
> pitstop_pitowski
11/19/2014 at 18:31 |
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This is such an amazing place! Most gear-heads have no idea it even exists. I can't believe how many people go here for a race and then ignore this collection, probably because get distracted by the fantastic track and other facilities. I have been to the Shelby Heritage Center in Las Vegas and it doesn't have as many great cars as the Miller collection. As a car guy, a former employee of a Larry H. Miller dealership, and a Utah Jazz fan, this guy has brought me a lot of good times.
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nicksedg
> desertdog5051
11/20/2014 at 19:25 |
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Yep he owned the Jazz through their glory years.
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sundudecan
> pitstop_pitowski
12/18/2015 at 12:12 |
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CSX2036 (not CSX2357)