One of the rarest and highly sought-after Shelby Cobras, the 289 Dragonsnake is getting valued highly in auctions.

Even though the Cobra is one of the most well-known vehicles in history, Shelby American only produced less than 1000 of these powerful compact American roadsters. It is one of the most expensive classic cars in the world as a result.

If one wants to distinguish between the different Cobras in the line of automobiles, Shelby divided them into many categories and even more specifics. Drag-racing Cobras, known as the Dragonsnakes, were the most well-known of them. Most renowned of them, perhaps. Some of Shelby American’s employees participated in drag racing with the Cobra in the FIA competition against Ferrari. The Shelby Cobra 289 Dragonsnake was the name they gave it for drag racing, which makes it sound more fearsome.

Only eight of the Shelby Cobra 289 Dragonsnakes were ever made. And because Shelby produced them for a brief time between 1963 and 1965, they are highly prized collectibles among auto aficionados. One of the rarest Cobras ever produced, the vehicle has a lengthy history of racing in drag racing. Throughout the 1960s, Carroll Shelby and his racing crew remained a powerful force in the world of motorsport.

The Cobra Dragonsnake Was Born To Race

One of the most famous sports cars ever made was possible by Carroll Shelby’s idea to mount American V8 engines on a British chassis. The regular Shelby Cobra chassis served as the foundation for the Dragonsnake’s construction. But Shelby made a number of changes to Dragonsnake, making it more suitable for drag racing.

Shelby made a four-stage engine option ranging from 271 hp to 385 hp for the Dragonsnake. They upgraded the normal 289 V8 engine that came with the Shelby Cobra for the 289 Dragonsnake backed up by a 4-speed transmission.

Shelby altered the engine to produce greater power and make it better suited for drag racing. The engine underwent changes, receiving a bigger Holley carburetor and a high-performance camshaft. As a result, power output rose to about 400 horsepower with a stage three engine option.

Other significant aspects include a strengthened frame, a bigger radiator, and a limited-slip differential, which improved its ability to handle the added power. Its distinctive styling, potent engine, and cutting-edge technology made it a dangerous opponent on the drag racing circuit and a direct rival to coveted Corvette Stingrays.