Fantasy Junction

Description

1966 AC 427 Shelby Cobra
s/n CSX 3259
Dark Red with Black Leather

This car can be purchased at the RM auction in Scottsdale in January 2011. It can be inspected here at Fantasy Junction prior to the car leaving for the auction (around January 15th).

Please feel free to view the RM Auction at the following link:
http://www.rmauctions.com/default.cfm?SaleCode=AZ11

When AC lost their supply of Bristol and later Ford six-cylinder engines, it appeared that they would have to stop building the Ace, whose lightweight attractive aluminum body and sophisticated chassis and suspension made it in many ways the quintessential British sports car. At the same time, Carroll Shelby had recently retired from motor racing and was running a driving school and selling Goodyear tires, but wanted something more exciting. Having always wanted to build his own sports car, he approached the various Detroit manufacturers and was eventually offered a small but light eight cylinder engine by Ford from their pickup truck line. Aware of AC’s predicament, he approached the management with his inimitable flair, and the Cobra was born. The bodies were built by the AC factory in the United Kingdom before being shipped to the Shelby American’s Southern California factory. Initial impressions of the car, which was still in bare aluminum, were extremely favorable. Following its first competition outings, the bugs were gradually ironed out, and the car proved to be a durable, quick, and extremely capable car. The rest, as they say, is history, and the Cobras, in 260cid, 289cid and 427cid versions went on to achieve tremendous racing success, in addition to becoming culturally ingrained as one of the greatest and coolest cars ever made.

This particular car is an absolutely stunning and irrefutably genuine 427cid example that enjoys both excellent history, and outstanding preparation by Stuart Hall to the highest standards. Originally invoiced by Shelby American on the 30th of June 1966 to Stark Hickey Ford in Royal Oak, Michigan for $6275, this car was sold new to Jim Rayl (an employee of Xerox) of Kokomo, Indiana in August of 1966. The car remained in the United States throughout the 1970’s, and had 15,000 miles in 1973, and 21,700 miles in 1979. The car appeared at the First Annual Brown County Indiana SAAC meet in 1978, and was eventually exported to England in 1979. The car is superbly documented, with an old California pink slip (which is actually pink), and numerous old state inspection receipts dating back to 1970. There is also a copy off the original invoice from AC to Shelby American, indicating that the body was shipped from the UK in April of 1966. The car’s documentation also contains photographs of the body stamp in various locations, including the trunk latch, hood latch, and both door hinges. There is a thick binder with receipts from the car’s European ownership period in England and Germany, during the 1980’s and 1990’s. During this period, the car was fitted with a hood scoop, as well as side-exit exhaust pipes and a roll bar.

The car also comes with $314,537.89 of invoices from Stewart Hall outlining comprehensive restoration work, careful race preparation, and fastidious ongoing maintenance. The work was performed since 2003, with the bulk of the restoration being completed in 2008. The restoration work was performed to spectacular standards in a no-expense spared fashion to not only look great, but to perform well under the rigors of competition driving. The work included almost all mechanical systems (including suspension, brakes, driveline, fueling, cooling, and electrical systems) as well as chrome, paintwork, interior, and comprehensive detailing of the underside, engine compartment, and trunk. The car has been run in the Monterey Historics, and shown numerous times as well. It was serviced most recently in October of 2009, to include oil change, spark plugs, detailing, new tires, and extensive polishing work as well.

The car is consequently in breathtaking condition. The quality of the workmanship is outstanding throughout, with superlative fit and finish to the paintwork, excellent chrome, and superb detailing. Throughout the car there are demonstrations of the level to which it was prepared, from the polished oil cooler housing to the spectacular paintwork. The chrome, wheels, glass, and lights are all excellent, as are the gaps and fit of the bodywork.

The interior is extremely nice too, with superb fit and quality to the upholstery and carpet. The instruments are the correct Smiths items and are like new, and the steering wheel has been restored as well. There are a few cracks to the center button of the steering wheel. The car is fitted with aircraft-style competition safety belts as well as an accessible power cutoff switch. The car also has new spun aluminum mirrors.

The engine compartment has been beautifully detailed, with cadmium plated hardware, including the latches even. The car is fitted with quadruple Weber carburetors, as well as an aluminum radiator with electric fan. The headers are gorgeous custom fabricated items that have been highly polished, and even the inner fenders and firewall have been polished to a mirror-like finish. The trunk is equally nice, being fully polished throughout, spotless, and beautifully executed.

This is an exceptional opportunity to acquire an outstanding Cobra. This car enjoys excellent documented history in the form of a several-inch thick binder of invoices dating back nearly forty years, and has been beautifully restored to the highest standards. The car also comes with an extra set of wheels and tires. Ready for both historic racing and show exposure, this car is a stunning example of one of the greatest cars of all time, needing nothing but a new owner to enjoy it.

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

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Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608