There is no question that there is the historical connection with AC.
However so much has changed over the years including AC being supplied by American companies with parts. AC having gone through so many permutations and hands. None of the original work force is there and I'm sure they use subcontractors on various items. Questions as to what original tooling still is available persist and whats being sub'd out.
The fact that AC is apparently a Deleware Corporation according to MarkIV and is apparently now being moved to Austrialia. All in my mind dilute the significance of the AC connection.
Some may disagree.
The 427 and the 289FIA where Shelby's babies for sure, especially the 427 being developed, designed and spec'd out by Messers Shelby, Miles, Arning. AC then built the 427 chasis and body to Shelby spec. Shelby but for the cost of labor wanted to build the 427s himself.
Many original Cobras today are reskinned with Kimmons bodies or by McKlusky. Kirkham also notes that there bodies can be used for re-skinning.
There is no question that Kirkham Bros. fabricated Cobra chasis and body take the Cobra to a new level of quality, fit and finish. They are works of art to be sure and an equal if not superior to any AC produced 427 chasis and body.
In the end, at least in my mind the Kirkham Bros. (an American Company) utilize former Russian MiG production technics to produce the Cobra bodies and chasis at an "affordable cost" for Shelby. This is amazing in and of itself and in my mind gives the car an aura of coming off the same lines that the MiGs came off of. Way cool. In short an American Company (Kirkham) building and supplying another American Company, SAI. Many American Companies use off shore production to keep costs down.
I see the Kirkham fabricated Shelby Cobra as the "American" brother to its English fabricated sister.
Both aluminum Cobras no doubt are fabricated by small companies of dedicated craftsman.
Both Aluminum cars are made from different aluminum than in the 60s and with improvements. They are both new. They are both precisely the same specification wise both being built to Shelby's specs for the 427 and 289FIA.
To some it may matter. Not to me. They are both Shelby Cobras. One supplied and fabricated by an American Company one by an Austrialian? company. In the end the 427s were sold here by Shelby as "Shelby Cobras". Thats what they were and thats what they still are.
Today the new Shelby Cobra is ready to launch from Ford. The new modern Shelby Cobra from an American Company.
A Shelby Cobra is as a Shelby Cobra does. (Forrest Gump)
Shelby Cobras all. All fruit from the same Shelby tree.
The above are my opinions. Others may differ.
