1965 Shelby Cobra 427 Roadster

Ex-racer Shelby created the legendary Cobra in 1962 by installing Ford's lightweight V-8 engine in a slightly lengthened nose of the AC Ace. AC's Thames-Ditton facility shipped the body and chassis to California where Shelby American dropped in the engine, made numerous performance modifications, and completed assembly. The first 75 production models were equipped with Ford's 260cid V-8 while later cars used the 306hp 289V-8 like that of the Shelby Mustang GT350. Beginning in 1965 in an effort to keep pace with 'big block' equipped Chevrolet Corvettes, Shelby upsized the motor yet again; this time using Ford's 425hp 'side oiler' 427cid V-8. Several were built in full competition spec, including this example. A total of 654 units were produced from 1962-1968.

Back in 1964 Shelby American decided to upgrade the aging 289 small block V8 Cobra as quickly as possible for 1965 FIA World Manufacturers Championship homologation. In order to do this, they would need to produce a minimum of 100 units. This would be known internally as the Mk. II and it would feature a long list of upgrades, including the fierce 427 cubic-inch side-oiler big block V8 engine.

Shelby American would end up building just 51 MK. II's and thus, FIA inspectors would deny the opportunity to race this new model. They would then build 19 of the 51 as 427 Competition Cobra's, with the remaining built as 427 S/C street cars.

This Cobra, chassis number CSX 3006, is one of the production-competition 427 Cobras developed by Shelby for private racing teams. Work order #15060 was originally assigned to William G. Freeman of Muncie, Indiana. Freeman had sent a $2,000 deposit on January 1st of 1965, requesting a metallic blue Cobra with gold LeMans stripes. The car was invoiced on April 7 to High Performance Motors of Los Angeles at a price of $9,600. The car would then go on to build quite a reputation for nearly 20 years.

The car competed in two races in America before it was taken back to Europe. It was sold to the Chequered Flag garage of London in the summer of 1966 where it was converted to right-hand drive and repainted in Wimbledon White with a glossy black hood and cowl. Its biggest success was a win at Brands Hatch driven by co-drivers David Piper and Bob Bondurant. Like the car itself, the Piper-Bondurant racing duo represented the finest racing talent from England and America.

In 1964 a decision was made by Shelby American to update the aging 289 Competition Cobra to produce 100 updated examples for 1965 FIA World Manufacturers Championship homologation. Known internally as the MKII, the new car was upgraded throughout to accept Ford's fearsome 427 side oiler engine. Shelby American only built 51 of the upgraded 427 MKIIs. When FIA inspectors discovered there were less than 100 units available they denied the new Cobra. Only 19 of the 51 were produced as 427 Competition Cobras. CSX3006 is one of the nineteen pure 427 Competition Cobras produced and one of the first 427 competition chassis sold to a private team. Work order #15060 was opened on 25 January, 1965 to build CSX3006 for William G. Freeman of Muncie, Indiana. Freeman requested it be finished in metallic blue, slightly lighter than the team cars and have gold Le Mans stripes. It was invoiced on 7 April, 1965 to High-Performance Motors of Los Angeles costing $9,600 plus $24.86 for a shoulder harness. Pictures at the time indicated it was delivered without a Cobra emblem on the nose.