[Dan Case]

Apparently plated steel KOs supplied by Halibrand had varying degrees of yellow chromium dichromate conversion coating left. I have a new old stock steel 1963 "short ear" KO as used on the first racing Cobras with the sprint car "kidney bean" style Halibrand magnesium wheels. It is definitely yellow. I have a new old stock service set of "long ear" KOs that are a little yellow. A friend that has a new old stock service set with no easy to see tint.


Old photos in color are pretty rare but there are a few low mile unrestored 427 Cobras with steel KOs (some had aluminum and I know of one car that came with steel on one side and aluminum on the other) that still have some tint left.


The dichromate conversion coating type used wasn't/isn't very durable. Weathering and harsh chemicals will change the color and or remove the coating completely.

Now then, is the bright gold shown in the magazine original? Probably not, that looks more like a paint. Strange 427 Cobra. Based on the front fenders it must have been a very early car. But if it was a very early car why does it have Sunburst wheels of a later period? Why does it have a clear turn signal lens? Maybe the car was "fixed up" for the article, note the body paint over-spray on the front bumper tube grommets. And what kind of tire is that?