I think it was Claus Arning at Ford that designed the Chasis.
Well, I'm not saying everything worth while stops at the U.S. border.
While AC had the platform in the Ace that provided the right take off point or base for the Cobra, it was not a "Cobra" and it didn't attain icon status because of AC.
I agree that w/o CS the Ace would have marched on with some little straight six and ended up a footnote in some automotive history book.
As to the 427 it is 100% Shelby (which means Miles, Arning, Remington and the good crew at SAI) in conception, design, developement. As to the shape, I believe it was Shelby that wanted to retain the look of the MkIII with the MkIV. The shape was enlarged to encompass the beefier chasis.
I think its fair to say the 'Brits' have not been as kind to the 427 as the 289 seeing the former as a overgrown monster. The attitude almost seems to be one of 'blaming' the Americans for 'ruining' the "beautiful" lines of the 289 Cobra which is clearly a worked Ace.
Wilf: Not to worry. You guys had the right platform for starters. It took good ol' American grit and tenacity to turn a mild little roadster into a world icon in two versions.
But for CS there would be no Cobra. An Ace but no Cobra.
Wilf: Don't get me wrong. I love you Brits and proud to have you guys as Allies (even though you did try to knock us off twice in the Revolution and again in the War of 1812). And while the Merlin engine was a dream come true for the Mustang lets not forget you guys were in deep doo doo and had your hands full with the Third Reich. Without the U.S. entering the war with American pilots flying those Mustangs and the rest of the U.S. forces the results very likely might have been much different.
Again good ole American muscle, grit and tenacity to finish the job right.
P.S. You Brits get credit for many things not the least of which are the U.S. Army Rangers of WWII who were first organized and trained by British Commandos in WWII.
For that I am very grateful. So was my father. Always said the Brit Commandos were terrific soldiers.
There is tie between our two countries and people like no other IMHO.
P.S. P.S. I agree the French are cheese eating surrender monkeys.
