Learning Stick with a Legend: Herbie Hancock's Wild Journey in a Shelby Cobra

When most of us contemplate learning how to drive a manual transmission, a humble, low-powered car comes to mind. Jazz icon Herbie Hancock, however, approached this learning curve in a way that only a true artist could. He chose to master the art of stick shift in one of the most formidable performance cars of the 1960s: An original Shelby Cobra.

As Hancock's career began to soar in the early '60s, his first big paycheck had him contemplating a sensible vehicle for touring with his band. Instead, on a friend's adventurous suggestion, he set his sights on a New York dealership and snagged a Shelby Cobra. At first, Herbie took the Cobra out each day to familiarize himself with the clutch, experiencing the complicated dance of footwork and hand coordination that defines driving a manual.

Miles of Music and Miles of Road

This was no ordinary learner car. The Shelby Cobra is a legend for its raw power and sleek design, and Hancock didn't shy away from putting it to the test. As he grew more comfortable behind the wheel, he turned the Cobra into his daily driver. Whether he was zipping through New York to make gigs or taking longer hauls to cities like Chicago and Boston, the Cobra was his trusty steed.

One narrative that stands out is a tale of automotive and jazz history colliding in the streets of Manhattan. One late night at 3 AM, Hancock found himself drag-racing none other than Miles Davis. While Davis commandeered a Ferrari, he offered Hancock a solemn piece of advice in the aftermath: Sell the Cobra before it turned lethal. Yet, Hancock's love affair with the Cobra persisted, defying the warning.

A Piece of Shelby History

Today, Herbie Hancock, now well into his mid-80s, still owns this magnificent machine. Remarkably, this makes him the longest original owner of a Shelby Cobra. The car, chassis CSX2006, is a significant piece of automotive history—it’s the sixth Cobra ever built.

Chassis CSX2006 holds another historical nugget; it wasn’t crafted in Carroll Shelby’s shop. Instead, it rolled out of Ed Hughes' workshop in Pittsburgh, Shelby’s friend's establishment, before Shelby even had a facility of his own. This unique lineage adds an extra layer to the fabric of its storied existence.

Authenticity Preserved

The mechanical heart of Hancock’s Cobra is the original 260 cubic-inch V-8. Some speculate this engine was part of Ford’s Falcon Safari campaign leftovers. It also retains other unique elements like a custom radiator and a dual-barrel carburetor. In an age where restoration can sometimes dilute essence, Hancock’s Cobra stands almost untouched, only receiving necessary updates like new wiring and minor part replacements along the road.

Given that the car has clocked around 130,000 miles, according to Herbie’s mechanic, it’s fair to say both owner and vehicle have experienced a lifetime of adventures together. It’s cars like these—unrestored yet still roaring with life—that remind us of the beautiful intersection of engineering and human tenacity.