Fully documented and well known in the Shelby collector community, CSX3045 has been chronicled in the Shelby World Registry since its first entry in the 1967 edition. Billed to Shelby American on February 23, 1965, it was completed to S/C specifications under Work Order No. 15103. Shelby American received an order from Archway Motors on April 21, 1966, for an S/C model, specifying a bright red exterior, black interior and modified racing exhaust system for delivery to a Mr. Hall on May 31. It is possible Hall never took delivery of the car, as its next recorded owner, Peter Bayer of New York, acquired it as compensation for promotional work completed for White Plains, New York, dealer Larsen Ford and was the first to register the car in 1967. Its next owner, Doug Carsen of Rimersburg, Pennsylvania, apparently raced it in several SCCA events. John Parlante of Whitestone, New York, bought 3045 around 1975 along with “several interesting spares” that included two doors and the trunk lid from CSX3212. He commenced a restoration, which remained unfinished when he sold the car to Geoff Howard of Danbury, Connecticut, in 1978. Howard completed the restoration and finished the car in Guardsman Blue. In 1979, 3045 was offered for sale as “one of around 25 authentic S/C models, 10,400 miles, fresh restoration, all competition options, original color, interior, carpets, detailed frame, engine compartment, etc, polished Halibrands; expensive.” Prominent Cobra collector Jere Clark of Phoenix, Arizona, then purchased the car, registered it with Arizona plate “427 SC” and occasionally raced it in vintage events. CSX3045 was awarded First Place in the Competition Shelby/ Cobra Popular Vote category at SAAC-5 in Dearborn, Michigan, after which Dick Smith drove it to 185 MPH on the track. His passenger, a terrified Rick Kopec, kissed the ground upon exiting the car, exclaiming, “What the hell was I thinking?” After a period under the ownership of Oklahoman David Berry, it was purchased from European Coachworks by George Stauffer of Stauffer Classics in Blue Mounds, Wisconsin, in 1983. Stauffer advertised the car for sale in 1984 as “Not a replica, but a real S/C, ready to win historic races. Has run at Laguna Seca several times and has recently been clocked at 185 mph. Guardsman Blue, fuel cell, not for the timid.” 58 // MECUM.COM
