This Shelby "Snake Charmer" Cobra Ran in Hundreds of Races, It's Never Been Restored

Built in the 1960s, it is a symbol of an era when carmakers merged passion with innovation for unyielding performance. From the very beginning, the Cobra was bred to race, dominate, and leave an indelible mark on the racing scene. It boasted distinctive bodywork and unparalleled performance, and considering that its design and purpose were motivated by Carroll Shelby's racing background, it didn't take long for the Cobra to take both American and European circuits by storm.

Developed in collaboration with British manufacturer AC Cars, the sports car combined the lightweight chassis of the carmaker's Ace two-seater roadster with a mighty American engine. The beating heart of the initial Shelby Cobra was Ford's small-block 289-cu-in (or 4.7-liter) V8 engine, a perfect match for the nimble, aerodynamic body of the AC Ace. Shelby re-engineered the car to handle all the additional power, resulting in a model light on its feet (or rather wheels) but quite powerful, capable of challenging and often outperforming established European sports cars.

Despite its incredible fame, less than 1,000 Cobras were built in total by Carroll Shelby between 1962 and 1967, and original units now demand hundreds of thousands of dollars when they do come up for sale. While any original Cobra is special and has the potential to garner a lot of attention from collectors, the unit we'll discuss in this piece is certainly exceptional.

This is a 1964 Shelby 289 Cobra, famously known as the "Snake Charmer." It is a well-maintained, single-owner example that belonged to Hank Williams, a decorated WWII hero, accomplished jazz musician, and racing driver. Williams purchased this special unit, one of three Princess Blue 289 Mk II Cobras built in 1964, from Norman Ford in Pomona, California, in March of 1965. For the following six decades, he cherished and meticulously maintained the car, which is now being offered for sale by his family.

Notably, the car (chassis no. CSX 2227) has remained remarkably original, retaining its factory-fitted chassis, body, and engine. The car has never been restored since new, only maintained, so it showcases a fabulous patina. Williams repainted it early on in Silver Mink, a desirable 1964 Lincoln color, retrimmed the interior in red Naugahyde, and added a removable hardtop from an earlier Cobra, a hood scoop, and five-spoke wheels, elements that the car still wears today.

Hank Williams thoroughly enjoyed his Cobra. He used to drive it during the week and race it on the weekends. This way, he put over 140,000 miles on the odometer over the course of his ownership. Interestingly, the last few miles were covered in 2022 during his 98th birthday celebration. He died the next year at 99.

As mentioned above, this particular unit is known as the "Snake Charmer," a nickname that Carroll Shelby himself gave to Hank Williams. The two reportedly became friends after Hank turned the car into a legend on the West Coast. Over the decades, chassis no. CSX 2227 entered nearly 400 races, including SCCA, Solo 1, rallies, slaloms, and private club events, and snatched over 260 trophies and awards. It thus became one of the most raced Cobras in existence, and it was also a staple at numerous Shelby American Automobile Club (SAAC) events.

With such an eventful racing history, Williams' Cobra has the spirit of a true American legend. But that is not all. Chassis no. CSX 2227 is the last original and privately owned 289 Cobra in the world. And what adds even more coolness to its history is the fact that it was the first Cobra to be driven by an African American on the Indianapolis Raceway.

Under the hood of this remarkable roadster lies a numbers-matching 289 cu-in V8 that was modified with dual four-barrel carburetors. Williams also added sway bars to the suspension, and the engine is said to have been rebuilt during the 1980s. Obviously, the car was repaired and maintained over the years, but it always remained original.

What's more, this is one of the best-documented units in existence, with original build sheers, buyer forms, warranty cards, and competition licenses.

Still in Hank Williams' name on the original 1965 title, the Shelby "Snake Charmer" Cobra is now being offered for sale for the first time as part of RM Sotheby's annual Monterey Car Week auction. It comes with great paperwork, a plethora of trophies, Williams' racing jacket, and the famous t-shirt that the owner received from Caroll Shelby himself when the latter won at Le Mans.

Single ownership since new, unrestored original condition, and a rich racing history make this 289 Cobra an intriguing classic sports car; a true time capsule that would certainly be a remarkable asset in any collector's stable.