1967 Shelby Cobra 427 Roadster

This big-block Cobra has a known history, an original engine, and a restoration done by a Shelby expert. The car left the Shelby factory and sent to McCafferty Ford of Trenton, New Jersey, where it was sold to its first owner, Davis Boardman of Fort Dix. The car may have had an interim owner prior to being purchased by a Long Island resident in the mid-1970s. IN 1977, the car was in the care of its third owner, Al Schmidle of Pompton Plains, New Jersey, who upgraded it with a genuine 427 engine and S/C-style roll bar, and refinished it in the same color scheme it wears today - Guardsman Blue with white LeMans stripes.

In 1978, the car was traded to Larry Megibow of Butler, New Jersey, for a 289 Cobra (CSX 2268), along with some cash. Two years later it passed to Rick Nagel of Dallas, Texas and finally to Ken Eber, co-founder of the Shelby American Automobile Club (SAAC).

In the winter of 1982, the car was sold to Tom Conel of Irvine, California. While in his care, the car was treated to a restoration, and had it upgraded to full S/C specifications. The work included the proper extension of the rear fender flares, installation of rectangular taillights and a competition fuel-cap, and revision of the dashboard layout. An oil-cooler with the attending scoop, side-exit exhaust pipes and a hood-scoop were also added at that time. The Sunburst wheels were replaced with Halibrand magnesium wheels.

The car would pass through several more owners over the years, prior to coming into the care of its current owner.

In 2010, the car was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company auction held in Pebble Beach, CA. The car was estimated to sell for $650,000 - $750,000. It would leave the auction unsold.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2010