1964 Shelby Cobra Is No Trailer Queen or Museum Piece
True 1964 Shelby Cobra has been in the hands of the same owner for 50 years, and he is not afraid to take it out for a drive.
This is what it’s all about. Cars need to be driven and enjoyed, not cooped up in a private collection never to be seen. While it’s understandable that there is some risk when driving expensive cars, we can’t imagine owning something extraordinary and not enjoying it how it should be.
Bill Gise bought this 1964 Shelby Cobra in 1970 and has an incredible history with it. A recent Hot Rod article brought his story to our attention, and it’s too good not to share. Bill has a rich history in the automotive world. He has done everything from building his racing projects, competing in both the first Baja 500 and Second Baja 1000, to owning a foreign car repair shop from 1967 to 1972. That repair shop would be where his history with the Cobra began when two clients of his offered to sell him the car.
“Even then, I knew it was the opportunity of a lifetime, so I didn’t hesitate to buy it. I got to know quite a lot about Cobras prior to that when a friend bought one and began competing with it. I helped him with the car and quickly realized just how special they are. The power-to-weight ratio made it a pretty wild little machine. When my customers mentioned they were going to sell their car, which I knew quite well because I had been servicing it, I went to their house quick like a bunny rabbit and wrote them a check!” said Gise
He came to own Cobra CSX 2278. Initially built for George Bartell, an illustrator hired by Shelby to create advertising before any Cobras were ready to be photographed.
Throughout his ownership, Gise painted the car twice. One blue in 1974, and once red in 1979. The red paint decision was made to assist in selling the car in 1979. However, after being satisfied with his own paint job, he decided against selling it.
While it no longer sees the track, this Cobra has a rich racing experience under its belt. In 2015 a full restoration of the Cobras was enacted and finished in 2017. An original Cobra still touting the engine it came with and in restored condition fetches quite a demanding price these days. Haggerty marks the average value at $925,000. Though, it doesn’t seem like Gise has plans of parting with it any time soon.
Photos: Hot Rod