This is a real deal 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 (CSX3354). The AC Cobra, also known as the Shelby Cobra or the AC Shelby Cobra was first ever manufactured by in the early 1960s by AC Cars featuring a Ford V8 engine. In 1961, American retired race car driver and designer, Carroll Shelby would ask AC Cars to built him a car that was capable of housing a V8 engine. AC agreed, and quickly found that Ford would be their best option, having just came out with their Windsor 3.6-litre (221 cu in) engine recently at the time. The first Cobra prototype arrived in 1962, chassis CSX2000, known as the ‘AC Ace 3.6’. By the time production came, a few changes were made including the repositioning of the fuel tank filler from the fender to the center of the trunk. The first production car, as well as a handful of others, were actually completed by Ed Hugus in Pennsylvania, and not at Shelby in California. A total of 75 total MK I examples were built with a 4.3 260 cu in V8 engine, and 51 were built with a 4.7-litre (289 cu in) V8. Following this came the redesigned MK II, which was produced in 528 units from 1963 to the summer of 1965. Then came the 427 Cobra shown here, a new model a new chassis, wider fenders and a larger radiator opening. Multiple variations of the 427 became available, one being the Competition model, another being the other more powerful semi-competition (S/C) variation, producing 485hp, and capable of a top speed of around 185mph. With Cobra MK III production beginning in January of 1965, the world would only see 56 total of the planned 100 S/C 427 Cobras produced, and by 1966, Shelby would introduce the 427 Street Cobra. British-American sports car racing engineer and driver, Ken Miles, who became the chief test driver of Shelby-American in 1963 had a key role in the development of the Cobra and the success of the racing versions of the Shelby Cobra 289 in SCCA, USRRC and FIA racing between 1962 and 1965.
How many made? 998 total (655 leaf-spring Cobras and 343 coil-spring Cobras)•Engine: 7.0 or 4.7 L (427 or 289 cu in) V8
Debut: The 1965
Top Speed: 160-180+mph
0-60mph: around 4.2 seconds
Photo credit: @carguy.ryan
Research.: @rarecarsonly