Fantasy Junction

Description

1966 AC Shelby Cobra 427
s/n CSX 3106
Metallic blue with Black Interior

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 was supplied to Shelby American by AC on the 17th of May 1965, and billed to its original selling dealer, Marshall Motor Company of Mayfield Heights, Ohio on the 30th of September 1965. The car was sold new in the spring of 1966 to its first owner of Marquette, Michigan, who was just 18 at the time. In 1967, he crashed the car with 7200 miles on it, and the wreck passed through the hands of three owners before a restoration was started in 1983 in the then owner’s garage. The restoration was completed in 1987, which included a new alloy body from the UK. During the restoration, the car was converted to competition configuration, in which it remains today.

At SAAC-15 in Dearborn, Michigan in July of 1990, the car won first place in the 427 Competition Cobra popular vote and was chose as “Best Cobra” as well. It has been actively raced in vintage circles since then, including the Monterey Historics in 2012 when Shelby was featured. The car’s most recent owner had the car from 1980 to 2014, nearly thirty-five years. The motor is fresh with no time on it. It is a 427cid side oiler high riser with dry sump lubrication and makes just under 800hp. The brakes are competition specification, as is the adjustable suspension, which employs full Heim joints throughout. The transmission is the correct top loader with racing bearings.

The car displays good vintage racer cosmetics with a nice body that displays good fit and gaps. The paintwork was done to high standards and is generally very nice, although the fender tops have numerous dimples created by gravel hitting the fenders from the inside. The car sits on purposeful Halibrand wheels with Hoosier tires, which are in very good shape.

The interior is Spartan and competition-oriented, with no carpeting and minimal upholstery. The passenger’s seat is a street car seat trimmed in leather and the driver has a racing bucket. The wood-rimmed wheel is in excellent condition, as is the dashboard, which is in very nice condition and is punctuated by a variety of Smiths and Stewart Warner instruments. The car has a roll bar on the driver’s side as well as competition type harnesses.

The engine compartment and trunk are both very clean and have appropriate competition equipment including fuel cell, plumbed in fire system, and a number of upgrades such as aluminum radiator and electric cooling fan. Stainless steel lines with Aeroquip provide oil to the oil cooler and the car is also equipped with “turkey pan” cold air intake.

This is an excellent opportunity to acquire a genuine 427 Cobra that has been prepared to high standards for vintage racing and used extensively. It is track ready and is eligible for a wide variety of prestigious events. It comes with many photos from its vintage racing career, as well as a photo taken of the car with Carroll Shelby when he was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame.

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