Craig Breedlove
Cobra Daytona Coupe (CSX2287)
Bonneville, November 1965
Images - Dave Friedman

Everyone knows about the legendary Shelby Daytona Coupe, the car that won the 12 and 24 Hours of Sebring, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, RAC Tourist Trophy, and finally beat Ferrari for the FIA World Sportscar Championship in 1965. But many many don't know that the Shelby Daytona Coupe also set 23 international and national speed records at the Bonneville Salt piloted by Craig Breedlove and Bobby Tatroe.

The final time the prototype Cobra Daytona Coupe (CSX2287) competed in any way was at Bonneville in 1965, in a bizarre footnote to Land Speed Record history. On November 2, 1965 Craig Breedlove, driving Spirit of America Sonic 1, set a new Land Speed Record of 555.127mph. Breedlove knew that his rival Art Arfons would come right back to break his new record. And Breedlove believed Sonic 1 had yet more speed, but there was one problem: on his 555mph record run, the front of Sonic 1 was lifting off the ground. Goodyear and Breedlove had the Salt reserved for the remainder of the week ... but only if record setting attempts continued. Otherwise, the Salt would be given over to Firestone and Arfons.

Breedlove made a frantic call to Goodyear-sponsored Carroll Shelby asking if he could get one of the Daytona Coupes to Bonneville for setting time and long distance records on a circular course. Shelby reportedly replied, "Sure. If somebody pays me for it." While waiting for the Coupe to arrive, Breedlove's wife Lee was seated in Sonic 1 to set a new Women's Land Speed Record, which she did at 308mph. The following day, Craig and Bobby Tatroe set out on their own record setting odyssey, setting 23 World Records in 12 hours driving CSX2287. On November 7, with adjustments made to the aerodynamics of Sonic 1, Breedlove raised his Land Speed Record to 600.601mph.

Interview with Breedlove and Peter Brock, Daytona Coupe designer