Shelby Daytona

Information

In late ’65, it was sold to the founder of Russkits, a slot-car manufacturer. A year later, it traded hands, this time to Phil Spector. Spector drove it on the streets for a while, but it proved to be too uncomfortable for street use. He eventually sold it to his bodyguard, George Brand, for just. Car was then handed over to his daughter, Donna O'Hara in 1970, then in 1971 the car was hidden away in a storage unit for more than 30 years, left to deteriorate. Many buyers including Carol Shelby tried to buy the car after her ownership was known, but O'Hara doesn't answer. Retired neurosurgeon and avid collector Frederick Simeone somehow got O'Hara's attention with “a very realistic offer,” thought to be around $4 million. Unfortunately, O’Hara willed the cash from the sale to her mother and set herself on fire after the deal had been done. A harsh legal battle followed with several parties, including Spector, claiming ownership of the car, but it was ruled that the car was sold legally to Simeone.
The story makes this Daytona Coupe one of the most significant barn finds ever.

This car set 25 USAC/FIA world speed records on the Bonneville Salt Flats in November of 1965.
This car is the only one that was built entirely by Shelby, the other 5 were built in Italy.

United States National Historic Vehicle Register No. 1
United States Department of Historic American Engineering Record No. PA-650