Researching any info re: Paul Cunningham, Competition Cobra privateer

[Buzz]

Originally Posted by USC_COWBOY

My activities related to our Cobra CSX2049 was to assist the mechanics, tow it to race tracks along with my friend Tim and to detail it prior to races. Paul was training me to drive competitively as we wanted to drive as a father and son team in the enduro type races but the governing bodies of the racing organizations would not grant competition licenses to anyone under 21 years of age. This angered both Paul and myself because they did allow international drivers under 21 to compete, most notably the Rodriquez brothers (Pedro and Ricardo) of Mexico who I believe were 19 and 17 respectively. Once he let me put on his driving suit, helmet and face shield to take the Cobra out to scuff and warm up the tires.

The one time I did not go to the race was for the Willow Springs race at which he was killed in the accident. I was on a short trip with my fiancee making plans for our wedding on February 14, 1964, and read the Sunday morning Times that he had died. I immediately called my mom and she confirmed his death and asked for me to come home.

Once again, I'd like to express my respect and appreciation for Ned and all that he does - including patiently sharing his knowledge with the rest of us here in this thread. I also find it difficult to outright dismiss or disbelieve all of your personal accounts and memories of you and your stepfather's involvement with the car. Maybe I'm just caught up with the sentimental side of the issue; but I can't shake the feeling that there must be some truth in your accounts.

May I politely ask a few questions about what you remember about the car between race events - when it wasn't at the track?

- Where was it kept - did it go home with you and Paul from the track?

- Did Paul state that he actually owned the car as opposed to just campaigning it as the driver?

- Did Paul ever talk about the purchase of the car and it's subsequent conversion to race specs?

I suppose what I'm asking is whether it's possible that Paul Cunningham was given care and custody of CSX2049 by a hands-off owner (Abiden?) while he raced it; and people just assumed that the car was his - or do you remember or have anything specific that can credibly show that he had title?

Thanks for sticking around as well and keeping the dialogue open.

[USC_COWBOY]

Originally Posted by Buzz

Once again, I'd like to express my respect and appreciation for Ned and all that he does - including patiently sharing his knowledge with the rest of us here in this thread. I also find it difficult to outright dismiss or disbelieve all of your personal accounts and memories of you and your stepfather's involvement with the car. Maybe I'm just caught up with the sentimental side of the issue; but I can't shake the feeling that there must be some truth in your accounts.

May I politely ask a few questions about what you remember about the car between race events - when it wasn't at the track?

- Where was it kept - did it go home with you and Paul from the track?

- Did Paul state that he actually owned the car as opposed to just campaigning it as the driver?

- Did Paul ever talk about the purchase of the car and it's subsequent conversion to race specs?

I suppose what I'm asking is whether it's possible that Paul Cunningham was given care and custody of CSX2049 by a hands-off owner (Abiden?) while he raced it; and people just assumed that the car was his - or do you remember or have anything specific that can credibly show that he had title?

Thanks for sticking around as well and keeping the dialogue open.

Thank you for your interest and comments.

Between races the car was kept in our garage or was at the mechanics facilities being prepared for the next event. Usually the car came home with us after the race. Depending on what was to be done it would then go to the mechanic, or in the case of the last Willow Springs Race, it was going to SAI on Monday morning for major upgrades (this is substantiated by a written communication and published account of another driver that had discussed it with him while they were on the starting paddock before the race).

We had other race cars before the CSX2049 Cobra and they were family owned, Paul did drive other racer's cars on request, but not as a regular situation, as he was quite experienced and could then share his opinions on what may be needed to make their cars more competitive, lots of bench racing going on as it's only a part of the game.

The CSX2049 Cobra was already competition race prepared when it arrived at our house, trailered not driven, it was not registered for street use, Powerine Oil was the first and only sponsor while the Cobra was campaigned by Paul. I actually found a check stub from Powerine Oil for payment to Paul for the Willow Springs Race and have never heard of Ann Abidin or her son who some claim hired Paul to drive their car. Didn't happen. Isn't it very strange that an owner of such a state of the art race car, obviously excited about their car, have it converted from street to competition by SAI, then would hire someone to race the car for them and never come to an event, tech inspection, pits, race, post race ceremonies, etc. In addition, on the entry forms for the races and in the race programs never be shown as entrant, owner, sponsor, etc. while we owned the CSX2049 Cobra. Possibly they owned it or another chassis prior to Paul and then sold it before we owned CSX2049.