By Dean Larson

Photos courtesy of Shelby Legendary Cars

Bob Bondurant needs no introduction around this group of auto enthusiasts. As one Shelby’s most successful drivers in the 1960s, Bondurant continually raced the snake charmer’s most cutting-edge machines, including the newest 289 FIA Cobras and Daytona Coupes. A GT class victory at Le Mans in ’64 and his part in the ’65 FIA Manufacturers’ World Sportscar Championship would forever associate Bondurant with Shelby’s influential vehicles, despite a long and diverse racing career before and after.

This year the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving turns 50 years old, and to honor this milestone, and the accomplishments of the man himself, an officially licensed Bob Bondurant edition FIA Roadster and Daytona Coupe will be available from Shelby Legendary Cars. A total of 50 cars are available, with officially licensed Shelby VINs from CSX2750-2799. 

Both the roadster and coupe will be available in some of Bondurant’s well-known liveries, including the No. 3 (1964 victory) or No. 21 (1965 victory) for the roadster, and No. 26 in 1964 (Viking) or 1965 (Guardsman) blue team colors for the Daytona Coupe. The cars will also incorporate some mechanical items and modifications specific to Bondurant’s cars.

“The Shelby Cobra continuation roadster is based on CSX2345, which had five first-place wins and was also the only roadster on the team in 1965. The tribute Cobra roadsters include a laid-back windscreen, driver’s door kneepad, high beam activation switch, diagonal roll bar and Shelby American engine compartment tag. Available in aluminum and fiberglass, they feature the historically accurate original leaf spring suspension and rack-and-pinion steering, period correct gauges, and 14-gallon fuel tank.” — Shelby American

Getting back to the Bondurant driving school, purchasers of the Bondurant edition roadsters and coupes will receive a day of driving instruction at the driving school, located in Phoenix.

Like other Shelby Cobra continuations, both fiberglass and aluminum bodywork options are available. Fiberglass roadsters start at $149,995, and you can tack on another $100,000 for aluminum bodywork. A starting price of $349,995 is listed for an aluminum Daytona Coupe. Shelby also lists a “track use only” roadster set up to HTTP FIA specifications for $289,995.

Bondurant edition cars will be introduced at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction on Jan. 21.