Shelby Cobra 427, 1966 Cobra 427 Pictures, News, Reviews, and Info | Conceptcarz.com - Pictures, Wallpaper, Pricing, Information, History

Overview

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Chassis Num: CSX 3355

This is the 5th from the last Cobra produced. The serial number of the vehicle is CSX 3355. It is a very low mileage and very rare side oiler. The car has the original body and chassis with all original stampings. It does not have the typical modifications such as roll bar, hood scoop, or side pipes. An aluminum radiator, to cure the common overheating problems, has been added to make the car dramatically more practical and usable. The owner use and enjoyed the car for almost ten years. The mechanicals were rebuilt and have been maintained by Dave Dralle.

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Chassis Num: CSX 3181

On November 18th of 1965 CSX-3181 was invoiced to Shelby America and shipped to Los Angeles. Work Order Number 18088 was opened in January of 1966 and finished in March. It was then sent to Archway Motors Inc. in Baltimore, Maryland for $6,398. In March of 1966 the Cobra 427 was sold to David Pyles of Marlow Heights, Maryland. After two-hundred miles of driving, it was returned as it was in need of major engine repairs. The crankshaft and bearings had been scored and the engine required a rebuilt. This task was undertaken by Archway Motors under warranty. The car then passed through a number of owners before ending up with an unknown owner who crashed CSX 3181. The crash ejected him from the car as the vehicle went into a lake.

Andre Fiejo of Michigan was the vehicles next owner. It then passed to Gregory Lonberger of Lombard, Illinois. Mr. Lonberger was mechanically inclined and performed a restoration on the vehicle bringing it back to its glory days.

In 1989 the vehicle was sold for $425,000 by George Stauffer. It was later resold to David Livingston of Seattle, Washington who displayed it at the SAAC-17 in Portland, Oregon in July of 1992.

At the 2006 RM Auction in Monterey, Ca CSX-3181 was offered for sale. It was estimated to sell between $450,000-$550,000. At the conclusion of the sale the vehicle had found another owner, selling for $412,500.

The car returned to the same auction in 2007, this time carrying an estimated value of $725,000 - $825,000. It was sold for nearly that estimate, falling short but non-the-less selling, for a high bid of $682,000 including buyer's premium.

Roadster
Chassis Num: CSX 3162

The Cobra enjoyed a very long production lifespan through its multiple fiddles' it played; it began life as a Tojiero-Bristol, than an A.C. Ace, followed by the Ace Bristol and finally the Ace Ford. Just as it was ending its production life, Carroll Shelby breathed new life with the iconic 289 Cobra. This was soon superseded by the legendary 427 Cobra.

More power was needed to battle the big-block Corvettes and other high-potent racers of the day, so Shelby turned to Ford with their 427 cid V8. It would be placed in the belly of the Cobra, but several significant modifications were needed before the vehicle could be safely operated. The original ladder frame, with its transverse leaf springs, had been designed for an 85-hosrepower engine. The 400 horsepower 427 was more than the setup could handle. Using Ford's computers, a much stiffer chassis with four-wheel independent coil-spring suspension was devised. The updates continued, with the removal of the six-inch wire wheels for much wider Halibrand magnesium wheels. Since the larger wheels would not fit under the standard fenders, the craftsmen at the A.C. factory in England gave the Cobra fender flares. In the front, a large front inlet was shaped to provide air to cool the engine. The result of these aesthetic changes was an aggressive appearance on a small, potent vehicle.

This 427 Cobra with CSX 3162 was completed on August 18th of 1965. It was painted in red and given a black interior. It was sent to Shelby American via the S.S. Risanger.

The cars first owner was Edward Karees in the spring of 1966. It remained in his care for years. In August of 1986 it was sold to Allan D. Weiss. Weiss kept the car for 20 years until 2006 when it was sold to a noted muscle car collector.

This is a very original car that was given a re-paint during the mid-1980s. It retains its original 427 engine with dual four-barrel carburetors. It rides on six-spoke Halibrand alloy wheels, while the original wheels are kept in the current owner's possession.

This car has not been raced, crashed, or abused like so many Cobra's. It has had only three owners since new, with two of those being very long term care.

In 2007 this Cobra was brought to the Gooding & Company auction held in Pebble Beach, CA where it was estimated to sell for $800,000 - $900,000. Sadly, the lot failed to find an interested buyer willing to satisfy the cars reserve. The car was left unsold.

Roadster
Chassis Num: CSX 3012

As with many British specialist manufacturers, AC Cars had been using the smooth, refined Bristol straight-6 engine in its small-volume production, including its AC Ace 2-seater roadster. The engine was a pre-World War II BMW design which was by the 1960s considered remarkably outdated. Bristol, a small independent automobile manufacturer in its own right, decided in 1961 to cease production of its engine and instead to use Chrysler small-block V8 engines. Non-plussed by this idea, AC started using the 2.6 liter Ford Zephyr in all of its cars. An idea was borne out of this concept and in September of that year, former champion racing driver Carroll Shelby approached AC about building a car that would accept a V-8 configuration. Chevrolet was not interested in providing their new 327ci V-8 due to too much direct competition with the Corvette, however Ford wanted a car that could compete with the radical new Sting Ray from across town. As luck would have it, they happened to have a brand new thin wall small block engine which could be used in this endeavor. The name Cobra came to Shelby 'in a dream', he recounted, and a legend was born.

By 1963 the original AC Bristol-based leaf spring Cobra was losing its supremacy in racing. In desperation, Shelby tried fitting a big Ford FE engine of 390ci. Ken Miles drove and raced the FE powered Mark II car and said that the car was virtually undrivable, naming it 'The Turd'. A new chassis was designed in cooperation with Ford in Detroit, then developed by Shelby American and designated the Mark III. A whole new chassis was built which featured 4' main chassis tubes (instead of 3') and a new coil spring suspension all around. Necessitated by the suspension redesign and the wont for a greater contact patch, the car had wide fenders and a larger radiator opening. It was powered by the famed 'side oiler' Ford 427 engine developing 425 bhp and attaining a top speed of 163 mph in the standard model and 485 bhp with a top speed of 180 mph in the competition model. The production of the Cobra Mark III began on January 1st 1965, three months after two prototypes had been sent to the United States in October of 1964.

CSX 3012 was invoiced to Shelby American on 1/11/65 from AC Cars, Ltd, and a Shelby American Work order #15067 was opened on 2/4/65. It was invoiced on 4/20/65 to Valley Mercedes Benz Service, 14104 Victory Blvd, Van Nuys, CA. as '1 427 Cobra, Chassis No CSX3012' at the cost of $9,700.00. Painted Astral Silver, a color often used in Mercedes racing cars, 3012 was picked up at Shelby American by company owner Lothar Motschenbacher. The racing linage of CSX 3012 featured its debut race at Riverside on May 2nd, 1965, then campaigned at the following weekend at Laguna Seca, three weeks later in Santa Barbara, a month later in Pomona on, and at the Mid-Ohio USRRC event in early August of 1965. Late in 1965, Motschenbacher traded the car back to Shelby American, taking a 1965 Ford Country Squire Wagon and $7,000 in return for the Cobra.

After a thorough clean up, the car was sold on 12/7/65 to J.D. Hurt. He, however, did not choose to take delivery until the following spring, and agreed to allow Shelby American to rent CSX3012 to MGM Studios for use in the Elvis Presley movie Spinout. Records indicate an insurance claim for damage to the car while at MGM and Hurt's deposit was applied to another Cobra. CSX 3012 was once again repurchased by Shelby American and was invoiced on 4/5/66 to Donald Peckman. Peckman rebuilt the car and raced it during the 1966 season, painted white with a thin Blue stripe down the center of the car. Raced in Riverside and featured in a Car and Driver editorial, which stated it as being the best-appearing and fastest Cobra at 1966 ARRC. Early in 1967 Charles T. Oseid purchased the Cobra in the name of his company. Sterling Automotive Mfg. Co. Oseid continued to race prior to an unfortunate accident while being transported on a trailer in the early 1970's. Following this incident, the car was dismantled with Oseid retaining the salvageable parts and most importantly the ownership MSO document he obtained from Peckman.

In 1985 George Stauffer purchased the MSO and various parts to 3012, and had Brain Angliss of AutoKraft in England rebuild the car utilizing a new chassis and aluminum bodywork. The finished car, painted dark green, was sold prior to its actual completion in the summer of 1988 to George Gillett, then in 1992 it again changed hands to vintage racer Jim Philion. Featured in several prominent vintage events, including the Wine Country Classic held at Sears Point in June of 1995 and driven by Rick Titus, CSX 3012 also won Top Popular at SAAC-20 in 1995. Driven once again that August by Rick Titus at the Monterey Historics, this car received the Thomas W. Senter Memorial Award for representing the most significant Ford or Ford Powered vehicle at the event.

As one of the finest Shelby American automobiles, the ex-Lothar Motschenbacher 1965 Shelby 427 Cobra Full Competition offered here is an absolutely beautiful example is one of only 22 full competition models to leave the factory. Motschenbacher successfully campaigned this car in the '65 USRRC Championships against Ken Miles in the factory 427 and Jim Hall's legendary Chaparrals. A year later, Elvis Presley and CSX 3012 co-starred in the hit movie 'Spinout.' From the fame this added to both Shelby and the music legend, CSX 3012 was to be known as The King's race car for all time. This Cobra includes complete ownership history and thorough documentation. Further, it features a concours-quality restoration and continues to achieve significant awards on both the show-field as well as the track.

This vehicle was offered for sale at the 2008 Russo & Steele Auction held in Monterey, California.

Source - Russo & Steele

The formula for the success of the Cobra came through a man named Carroll Shelby adapting a powerful Ford engine into a nimble, British sports car.
A.C. Cars of Thames Ditton in Surrey, England had been producing the Ace since 1954. It was designed by John Tojeiro and featured an independent suspension by transverse leaf springs. The tubular frame body of the vehicle took its styling cues from Ferrari. The original engine used in the Ace was a 1991 cc, over-head-cam engine designed by John Weller, the founder of AC, in the 1920s. In 1956, an optional Bristol engine became available. This was a BMW derived, 1971 cc six-cylinder engine that was capable of producing 125 horsepower. With the Bristol engine, the Ace captured many victories on the race tracks around the world. It even won the SCCA Class E championship three years in a row.

In 1959, Bristol ceased its six-cylinder engine production. When Bristol stopped supplying A.C. with the engine, the production of the Ace ceased. Carroll Shelby quickly negotiated a deal where A.C. would supply him with the chassis. Now all Shelby needed was an appropriate engine. In 1961, Ford introduced the 221 cubic-inch small block engine. This was a new lightweight, thin wall-cast, V8 engine that produced 164 horsepower. Shelby approached Ford about the use of the engine for the 2-seat sports car. Ford agrees.

In February of 1962, a 260 HiPo engine and Borg-Warner four-speed manual gearbox was fitted into the aluminum-bodied Cobras. The AC Shelby Ford Cobra was complete.

In April of 1962, the first Cobra with chassis CSX 2000 was painted yellow and shipped to the New York Auto Show where it appeared on the Ford display. The vehicle was an instant success and attracted much attention. Orders came faster than Shelby could build. The prototype CSX 2000 was continuously being repainted for magazine reviews. The purpose was to create an illusion that more Cobras existed.

In 1963 the engine size increased to 289 cubic-inches. Rack-and-pinion steering was added to the vehicle.

Two Cobras were entered into the grueling 24-Hours of Le Mans endurance race. Carroll Shelby himself drove one of the vehicles. Ford had refused to provide an engine so Shelby, with the help of A.C. cars and Ed Hugus, prepare the cars. One of the Cobras managed to capture a seventh place finish, a major accomplishment.

Dan Gurney became the first American driver to win an FIA race in an American car when he won the Bridgehampton 500KM race in September of 1963 while driving a Cobra.

In 1964, the Cobra returned to LeMans where it finished fourth overall and first in the GT class.

Near the end of 1964, the Cobra 427 was unveiled to the press. If featured a new tubular, aluminum body, coil spring chassis, and a 427 cubic-inch, 425 horsepower engine. The car was able to go from zero to 100 mph and back to zero in less than 14 seconds. This combination captured the FIA World Championship for Ford in 1965.

In 1965, Ford discontinued its support of Shelby's racing program and the Cobra 427 production ceased after only 160 vehicles had been produced. AC continued to produce the AC 289 until 1968.

In 1967, the last 427 Cobra was built and in 1968, the last 427 Cobra was sold by Carroll Shelby.

Ford had shifted their resources to the new GT40 and modified Mustang programs. In 1966, three GT-40 Mark II's crossed the finish line at Le Mans capturing first, second, and third.

Photos grouped by event
Russo & Steele Monterey Auction	Monterey Sports and Classic Car Auction	Gooding & Company	Monterey Sports & Classic Car Auction
The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering	2005 Cincinnati Concours d'Elegance in Ault Park

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