- Shelby American and its only European Transporter

[Richstang]

Just noting some differences, changes/additions, deletions, references...

      It looks to me as though it picked up some length ahead of the front axle, with perhaps longer front doors, this perhaps providing better ingress and egress for driver and occupants, and also again aiding in the endeavor to move the center of gravity forward?  Perhaps, my observations are just illusions within the photographs, or perhaps I'm just determined to argue that the dog-gone thing got longer when the axle was added!       

      Not me, but come-on, somebody has to have one of those fancy-dancy computer programs (the "Stanley" held up to the screen ain't get'n it!) that would take a measurement from say the steel wheel ring and then compare this value to the overall length of the vehicle for a better determination, at least within the accuracy permitted from the photographs and considered angles?       

Scott.

      BTW: if you prove I'm wrong, do me a favor, keep it quiet, please?       

Fancy computer programs...HA! Do you mean software programs like in the movies when they make stuff up. "Enhance photo. enhance it again. Oh look now we can read the license plate from 100 feet away in the dark on an 85 degree angle" (CSI Miami) 
(Actually I'm thinking of the remake of 'Italian Job' when they measure the ground distance on the armored cars). I seriously doubt anyone here on the forum has anything even close to doing that. JD's paint program photos are about the best we can expect to get to compare the profile points. (thanks JD)

Well, I see what you mean in the early photos compared to the current photos on the cab doors. I think it may be an optical illusion, but you never know what they did in the restoration. Do you see that from Reventlow's version 1 to Shelby's version 2?

[Richstang]

Shots from last week for comparison.

Thanks for that rear view looking inside at the lower deck.
I was wondering how it was set up when we see the cars lifted up at the front when loaded on there.
It appear to be a fixed ramp with a slight lit up off the deck. That might have been useful for minor engine work, back in the day.

[Richstang]

This photo appears at the track in Reims. I suppose the constables were there to keep spectators away while unloading.
Unfortunately both cars DNF'd due to gearbox issues.

[Richstang]

By September '64 the transporter appears at the Tour De France with team lettering on it. Large bold letters "COBRA POWERED BY FORD" were added to the front of the cab and side storage panels. Other sponsor logos were also added such as "Goodyear" above the side storage panels and "BP" with a checkered flag on the cab doors. A rear view photo can be found on Getty Images...
https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/no187-bob-bondurant-jochen-neerpaschs-shelby-cobra-daytona-news-photo/567807153

#21 CSX2299 finished 1st in GT, 3rd overall
#22 CSX2287 finished 8th in GT, 11th overall

[69mach351w]

Dont understand the "Danger Air Brakes" bumper sticker at reply #28.

Air brakes Dangerous?  Since when

[TransamEd]

Using Air brakes downhill in the Alps for example the follower does not see a brake light, that's probably why (at least back then?) I am no trucker:-)

[Richstang]

Using Air brakes downhill in the Alps for example the follower does not see a brake light, that's probably why (at least back then?) I am no trucker:-)

That is a good reason. I was assuming it was a requirement for vehicles equipped that way.

[Richstang]

Here's a strange photo (Dave Friedman photo) from Reims that appears to show a large flat panel sitting on top of the transporter.
It looks to large to be one the side storage panels. Were they removable?
(I know its sitting on the SAI transporter from a few other photo views)

[TransamEd]

Should be easy for race mechanics pulling the pins of the hinges and detaching the flap supports which allowed taking them off, but laying one or two on top of the truck...there must have been a real good reason and some muscles available.

[Richstang]

Maybe it was done to create a shaded area on the lower deck for one of the cars. The Reims 12 hour event was in July, but that would be a lot effort.
With the doors swung open on the side, the canopy would create a descent sized area for any team member to hide from the sun if needed.

[69mach351w]

Amazing photos!
Hard to believe that these Shelby Daytonas are worth millions today

By looking at the photos, the folks in them are merely clueless to what these race cars values would be in the future

[Richstang]

For the 1965 season, I believe Alan Mann takes over transporting responsibilities for Shelby. The transporter was repainted again in the new team color Guardsman Blue.
The large bold lettering "COBRA POWERED BY FORD" remained, but they added "ALAN MANN RACING LTD. BYFLEET, ENGLAND" in smaller letters below it.

The pictures here are at Spa around May 16th, 1965. We now see the newer Daytona Coupes csx2601 and csx2602.
The Cobra is csx2345 and still numbered #21 from the previous Oulton Park race from May 1st. It did not race at Spa, but did practice.

[Szabo]

Sorry for answering so late ...

i am just sitting here and my eyes fall out ...

So much Pics and Information about this ONE Transporter is just amazing.

not much i can say about this Transporter ... only there is a 1.18 Modelcar for 299 Euros and sometimes when i have a bear
to much i hardly think i must buy it for my collection 

Greets and please go on, i have much fun to read all of those thing

[Richstang]

^^^Wait till we get to the time after the transporter hauled around the Shelby Cobra's and Daytona's.

Still at Spa around May 16th 1965,
The transporter is in the background as the Daytona's have already been unloaded. The storage panel doors are open while a crewman prepares for the race.
We also get a glimpse of one of Ford's Econoline service vans used with the GT40 program. This appear to be the same location as the previous photos just looking in the opposite direction.

#20 CSX2601 finished 1st in GT, 5th overall
#21 CSX2602 DNF'd with an engine issue

[honker]

Rich, great photos, and the story behind them  isn't the American flag shown upside down a distress signal ?

Mike