Cast aluminum COBRA valve covers have a wide range of values depending on version and condition AND who wants them for what reason.
I will list them in order of release:
1) 1st Design solid cover with no ports and zero provision for spark plug wire clips. (just a few sets)
2) Revision 1 of 1st Design, boss added to wire clips but not drilled (just a few sets)
3) Revision 2 of 1st Design, boss now has wire clip brackets installed (just a few sets in production but sold by Ford as an accessory for any 221/260 Ford.
4) 2nd Design with PCV and
oil fill provisions, not marked by casting company, chrome plated
oil fill tube (not used long in production and very briefly sold by Ford as an accessory for any 221/260/289.
5) 2nd Design with PCV and
oil fill, marked by casting company, cadmium plated oil fill tube (used as requested before CSX2201 and a mandatory option CSX2201 and up, also sold by Ford as an accessory and also used on early 1965 MUSTANG GT350s.)
I will list them in order of relative general historic market value:
1) 2nd Design with PCV and oil fill, marked by casting company, cadmium plated oil fill tube (used as requested before CSX2201 and a mandatory option CSX2201 and up, also sold by Ford as an accessory and also used on early 1965 MUSTANG GT350s.)
2) 1st Design solid cover with no ports and zero provision for spark plug wire clips. (just a few sets)
3) Revision 1 of 1st Design, Revision 2 of 1st Design
4) 2nd Design with PCV and oil fill provisions, not marked by casting company, chrome plated oil fill tube (not used long in production and very briefly sold by Ford as an accessory for any 221/260/289.
I will list them in order of relative general historic market value BASED ON CONDITION:
1) Excellent used, no serious stains, no damage, never been media blasted, never been etched by strong chemical, no modifications. Note: A bonus for SAI installed 1st Design covers in any version that still have nice black paint in the COBRA letters. Hugus and Tasca didn’t add the paint detail.
2) Best practices “restoration”.
3) General “make them pretty for sale”.
4) Good used but stained.
5) Easy to repair damage or reverse modifications.
6) All else.