Shelby Cobra 427, 1966 Cobra 427 | Conceptcarz.com - Pictures, Pricing, Information, Wallpaper, History

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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.

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
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

1966 Shelby Cobra 427
Year	1966
Make	Shelby
Model	Cobra 427
Body Style	Roadster
Engine Location	Front
Drive Type	Rear Wheel
Body / Chassis	Aluminum body on tubular steel frame
Production Years for Series	1965 - 1968
Weight	2280 lbs \| 1034.2 kg
Combined MPG	0.00

Chassis / Engine Numbers Shown
Chassis Number	CSX 3162
Chassis Number	CSX 3181
Chassis Number	CSX 3355

Performance
0-60 mph	4.5 seconds.
Top Speed	165 mph \| 265.5 km/h Similar top speeds

Engine
Engine Configuration	V
Cylinders	8
	Water-Cooled
Aspiration/Induction	Normal
Displacement	4200.00 cc \| 256.3 cu in. \| 4.2 L.
Valves	16 valves. 2 valves per cylinder.
Valvetrain	OHV
Horsepower	410.00 BHP (301.8 KW) @ 5600.00 RPM
Torque	460.00 Ft-Lbs (623.8 NM) @ 2800.00 RPM
HP to Weight Ratio	5.6 LB / HP (Vehicles with similar ratio)
HP / Liter	97.6 BHP / Liter
Compression Ratio	11.5:1
	Vehicles with similar horsepower and weight

Standard Transmission
Gears	4
Transmission	Manual
Final Drive	3.54:1

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1966 Shelby Cobra 427