The February 2001 British Magazine _Classic & Sports Car_ did a real nice set of two articles on Shelby's V8 Legends. The cars in the article were the AC Cobra Mk III, Mustang GT350 and the Sunbeam Tiger.
The second article in the same mag was a 2000 interview with Carroll Shelby. In the article he debunked the often quoted "got the name of the Cobra in a dream" attribution.
If you can get your hands on this issue, it is nice reading. The Cobra featured was an AC built Mk III, with the 289 engine and 4 Webbers. This car was built for an Engishman, with right hand drive. The body is that of a 427 with the two air scoops and
oil cooler up front.
Cheers.