1967 Shelby Cobra 427 news, pictures, and information

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Chassis Num: CSX 3275

This 1967 Shelby Cobra 427 was offered for sale at the 2007 RM Auctions held in Amelia Island, Florida where it was estimated to sell between $750,000 - $850,000. The car is powered by a 427 cubic-inch side-oiler V8 engine that is still in the exact specifications as when it left the factory. This 427 Cobra has very clean lines, as there is no hood scoops, side pipes, roll bars, or other modifications. It carries chassis number CSX 3275 is has been treated to a complete restoration since new.

At auction, the lot was sold for $766,800.

Chassis Num: CSX3299

After retiring from a very successful racing career, Carroll Shelby set his sights on sports car construction. His first project was the Cobra, an AC Ace whose aging six-cylinder engine was replaced by a Ford V8. Sports car racing inevitably demanded more horsepower, particularly with the entrance of the Corvette Grand Sports Corvettes, and thus was born the legendary 427 Cobra - a big block-powered behemoth capable of sub four-second zero-to-sixty acceleration and unparalleled racing prowess. To this day, the relatively few 427 Cobras in existence are prized by enthusiasts the world over. This particular example remained under the same ownership for nearly 40 years before coming out of long-term storage rather recently. The original car received a sympathetic cosmetic and mechanical restoration. With just 5,400 original miles, CSX3299 is presented in Guardsman Blue with proper Sunburst wheels. Its sensational performance and the popular appeal of this Anglo-American legend confirm it as one of the most significant icons of all times and a collector car of unmatched desirability.

Chassis Num: CSX 3294

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 Cobra. The 260 cubic-inch pushrod V8 engine produced 260 horsepower. It was mated to a four-speed manual Ford transmission which drove the 2,000 pound Cobra. Only minor modifications to the A.C. body and chassis were required. Stronger wire wheels were fitted and the leaf-spring independent suspension was little changed. The bigger 289 Ford V8 was substituted for the 260 and in 1963 the Bishop cam steering gear was replaced by rack-and-pinion.

In the capable hands of Ken Miles, Lew Spencer, and Bob Holbert, the Cobra's were able to outpace the more exotic marques.

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 is CSX 3294 and houses a 427 cubic-inch V8 engine that is reported to produce an estimated 520 horsepower. It was damaged in the 1960s in a road accident and put away for many years. The disassembled car was later acquired by David Yanoff who began an extensive rebuilt. It was ultimately treated to a complete nut-and-bolt restoration by expert Geoff howard of Cobra Automotive of Wallingford, Connecticut.

During the restoration it was given the correct alloy S/C brake calipers, 36-gallon fuel tank, differential oil pump, transmission oil pump, factory roll bar and side pumps.

It is correct in every detail, has an outside fuel filler, a proper 427 'side-oiler' engine built to LeMans specifications, correct Halibrand wheels, 'quick jack' fittings in both front and rear, and a riveted hood scoop.

This car has been apart of the Michael Hammer Collection and was shown just once in 2007 where it was a class winner at the Beverly Hills Classics for Charity Show. Since the restoration in 2000, it has traveled a mere 300 miles.

In 2007 this 427 Cobra was brought to the Gooding & Company auction held in Pebble Beach, CA where it was estimated to sell for $750,000 - $850,000. Sadly, a buyer willing to satisfy the vehicles reserve was not found and the car left the auction 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.

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.

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