1966 Shelby Cobra 427 Roadster

The original Cobra, having begun life as a Tojeiro-Bristol, then as an AC Ace, followed by the Ace Bristol and finally a Ford Ace, had been fitted with an 85 horsepower engine. By the time the Cobra had reached the hands of Shelby and properly matured over several years, it was fitted with a V8 engine that offered over 400 horsepower. This meant the original ladder frame with its transverse leaf springs was not intended to handle this much power, and a solution was required. A new platform was designed that was much stiffer and fitted with four-wheel independent coil-spring suspension. The six-inch wire wheels were replaced with wider Halibrand magnesium wheels. These wider wheels did not fit under the standard fenders so the artisans at the AC factory in England constructed substantial fender flares. The front was restyled with a large inlet to provide sufficient cooling to the large Ford powerplant. Upon completion, the Cobra had evolved into a very aggressive vehicle and it had the performance to back-up its looks.

This car is CSX3287 and was billed to Shelby American on July 8, 1966. It was sold two months later to the Ford dealership in White Plains, New York for the sum of $6,145. It had left the factory in the same color scheme it wears today, a red exterior with a black interior.

It was sold on June 16th of 1967 to Bronx resident Jay Kulko. It spent the next 10 years with two owners in George. In 1976 it was bought by Greg Lonberger of Elmhurst, Illinois at which point the odometer read 27,337 miles. In 1978 it was purchased by Mike Forman. in 1986 it was purchased by Cindy Baker of California. She had it painted in the Shelby color of Guardsman Blue. It was sold a short time later to M.D.R. Enterprises of Los Angeles, Ca. It would pass through several more owners throughout the years.

The engine is a 427 CID V-8 with 425 horsepower and a single Holley 4-Barrle carburetor. There are 4-wheel disc brakes and a four-speed manual transmission.

In 2009, it was brought to the Gooding & Company auction held in Scottsdale, Arizona where it was estimated to sell for $750,000 - $850,000. Bidding failed to satisfy the vehicle's reserve and the lot was left unsold.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2009