The Shelby Registry has historically made a distinction between official Shelby team racers and Cobras campaigned in competition by privateer owners, referring to the latter as Independent Competition Cobras. This 1964 Shelby Cobra 289, CSX2487, began its well-documented racing career after its first owner returned it to the dealer within a couple of months because it was ?too much to handle.?

CSX2487 was invoiced to Shelby American on July 9, 1964, and shipped aboard the SS Loch Gowan to Los Angeles, where it was ordered by Hayward Ford Motors with Class A accessories (minus whitewall tires), a luggage rack, antifreeze and freight for a total of $5,501.55. It was purchased by L.G. Sullivan and registered with the Black plate ?MKE 868.? After Sullivan returned the car in late 1964, it was purchased by Dick Pichinino, who arranged financing through the Lockheed Credit Union after convincing management?with considerable difficulty?that the Cobra was indeed a ?bona fide automobile.? After painting the car white, Pichinino modified it for autocrossing, a hobby both he and his wife pursued enthusiastically for the next two years.
Consistent success on the autocross circuit led Pichinino to turn his eye to the more challenging and competitive road racing arena. The 289 was balanced and blueprinted, fitted with roller rockers, oversized valves, Weber downdraft carburetors and Nassau headers with straight-through side pipes. Shot-peened and balanced half shafts...