Sebring '64 question

Turbo II · #1 (**permalink**) 12-11-2003, 11:26 PM

I seem to recall reading or hearing somewhere that the Cobra that Bob Johnson wiped out the Alfa with was rebuilt, yet Friedman's book says it was cut up and tossed into a dumpster.

Anyone know the true history? Did someone just use the chassis # and claim to have rebuilt it?

Just some more intersting history I would like to learn.

Francis

Badger · #2 (**permalink**) 12-12-2003, 04:39 AM

yeah, the car WAS completely destroyed, but an exact "replica" was built in the LA area some years ago and is still running around with that CSX number; but the owner freely admits the new car is not "original" Badger

Cal Metal · #3 (**permalink**) 12-12-2003, 08:37 AM

The car is owned by Lynn Park. It is CSX 2259--one of the original FIA Roadsters

Turbo II · #4 (**permalink**) 12-12-2003, 09:44 PM

Thanks,

So were any components off the original car used? If Lynn Park has it I'm sure it's imaculate to every detail.

computerworks · #5 (**permalink**) 12-12-2003, 11:04 PM

Francis... there's quite a lot of detail and history documented on the original CSX2259 and the current "2259". Most of the early Friedman books have photos of the original, which was totalled in a fiery wreck at Sebring (1964) when driver Bob Johnson rear-ended a stalled Alfa at 100 mph, "..flipping the Cobra end over end 8 times."

The wreck was carted back to LA and, according to SA accounts, everything that could be stripped from the wreckage was taken as spares and the remains was cut up and tossed in the dumpster.

According to the statement in the registry... a parts employee helped himself to the cut-up remains and a new car was built...with a new frame and new body built by Brian Angliss.

Much more of the details are explained, but the last line says it all... "Park's car is not considered by SAAC to be the authentic CSX2259."

The real one is in race car heaven.

That being said... the car is an absolutely beautiful rendering of the FIA racer.

Excaliber · #6 (**permalink**) 12-12-2003, 11:09 PM

...so what happened to Bob Johnson in that wreck?

Ernie

computerworks · #7 (**permalink**) 12-12-2003, 11:21 PM

He was a hurtin' pup, but he survived nicely... a lucky guy.

The write-up goes on about how the shop guys in LA presented him with the top piece of the roll bar as a "trophy", as well as some of the Weber stacks, that had been ground down from the car sliding on the asphalt upside down.

Turbo II · #8 (**permalink**) 12-12-2003, 11:58 PM

Fascinating stuff, I knew I was at the right place to ask

Thanks

Cal Metal · #9 (**permalink**) 12-17-2003, 11:36 AM

Bob Johnson went on to become the SCCA National Champion that year in CSX 2189, his own independent Comp Car. Obviously, the wreck did nothing to reign in his aggressive driving. Bob was one of the great drivers of that era. No doubt about it.

grumpy · #10 (**permalink**) 01-05-2004, 04:50 PM

Different notes and studies of the Angliss rebuild shows the frame was different but later revised on several key points, however all the "SECRET" suspension/items/mods are missing, but even most of the originals that ran then, restored now, no longer even carry the majority of those items due to upgrades made over the years.
That junk had very little value then, now PRICELESS would be the term.
Lynn has went beyond restoration on attempting to bring it up and beyond the car previous to the crash.
grumpy