During 2001, a small group of fun loving and benevolent car enthusiasts, each with a cult-like passion for the Shelby Cobra and a desire to help sick kids, joined together to form The Ohio Cobra Club.
The purpose of the club was to promulgate admiration for the Cobra Automobile, regardless of make or type; to support the City of London with the London Cobra Show and to support and raise money for The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. In an effort to assist with the fundraising part of the mission, during 2006, the club attained 501(c)(3) non-profit status.
Throughout the year the club organizes social events such as club meetings, parties, dinners, cruises through various scenic areas in Ohio and helping other club members with their Cobras. Each year, a beautiful Cobra replica is raffled off as the club's main fundraiser. Tickets are $20 each and can be purchased by club members at car shows and events. Raffle tickets can also be purchased online.
Every year since 2005, the club has hosted the London Cobra Show. Although the show is called the London Cobra Show, or simply LCS, most of the events take place in and around Columbus, Ohio due to lodging needs in London. The show is always held in June, following the week of Father’s day, and spans the entire weekend. The main show takes place on Saturday in downtown London.
LCS is a combination of car show, social event, and charity fundraiser. Show attendees have the opportunity to see hundreds of beautifully crafted Cobras, buy t-shirts, memorabilia and visit the many vendors that exhibit at the show each year. The winning raffle ticket, that fulfills one lucky person’s dream, is drawn each year at our Saturday evening dinner.
If you love Cobras and want to help sick kids in need, come join The Ohio Cobra Club.
Members of the Ohio Cobra Club take personal pride in the dramatic improvement in the health of Hilliard resident Emily Kerr. “With the success of that little girl, we feel like we did something — like we actually contributed,” said Nick Zeyen, 65, a club member and North Side resident.
A Los Angeles set designer replicates a very rare, very expensive 1964 Cobra Daytona Coupe, down to the actual nuts and bolts.
Mr. John Morton will be a featured speaker at the 2017 London Cobra Show and will have signed copies of his book for sale. The book is titled - Inside Shelby American: Wrenching and Racing with Carroll Shelby in the 1960s.
Dalton Watson Fine Books is in the process of releasing a new book titled “Cobra Pilote: The Ed Hugus Story” by Robert Walker. The life story of James Edward (Ed) Hugus, a racing driver and car dealer, with special emphasis on his relationship with Carroll Shelby and the development of the first Shelby Cobra racing cars in the early 1960s. Hugus provided the funding to jump-start the project and in his capacity as a driver, piloted the first racing Cobra (CSX 2001) in competition, and in 1963, the first Cobra (CSX 2142) to appear at Le Mans.
