Shelby Daytona Coupe Poster

The Bible story of David vs. Goliath repeats itself in history. This time it is Carroll Shelby who stands up against Ferrari and other European manufacturers. The Shelby Daytona Coupe and its glorious racing success inspire artist Stamatis Tsirdimos for this stylish car art poster.

Origin

Back in the 60s, Carroll Shelby's Cobra is already gaining popularity. The sports car makes quite an impression on the public with its powerful V8 Ford engine. However, because of its roadster body type, it has the aerodynamics of a brick. Hence less powerful cars like the Ferrari 250 GTO and Porsche 904 are significantly faster. The vehicle needs a coupe body. That's how the Shelby Daytona Coupe is born.

Pete Brock receives all the credits for the design of Shelby Daytona Coupe but some of his bright ideas come from the aerodynamics experts of the aircraft manufacturer Convair. They propose the Kam-tail design, which proves to be a perfect fit for its high-speed goals. The Daytona Coupe manages to reach 190 mph equal to 310 km/h.

Brock starts prototyping with scrap wood and gaffer tape; the design of the windscreen is next.  Then he places interspaced wooden formers and hand-built aluminium body panels. This is how the first prototype of the Shelby Daytona Coupe looks like. Carrozzeria Gransport builds five more in Modena, Italy.

The Shelby Daytona Coupe is a racing hero

During seasons '64 and '65, Shelby Daytona Coupe races in GT Division III, a compound of racing cars with engines over 2000 cm3. And it is an instant success in the endurance racing. Shelby Daytona Coupe registers a few land speed records at the Bonneville salt lake. The Shelby Coupe wins in its class at 12 Hours of Sebring, 24 Hours of Le Mans, RAC Tourist Trophy, 24 Hours of Daytona, Italian GP at Monza, Nurburgring 1000, etc.

This Shelby Daytona Coupe poster can now be yours in size and on paper upon your liking. Celebrate Shelby Daytona's glory days with this fine car art by Stamatis Tsirdimos.