Rare Find 427 Prototype
 

Interesting........didn't even know this existed.

This one-of-a-kind 1964 Shelby Cobra 427 Prototype s/n CSX 2196, nicknamed "The Flip-Top" for its unique clam shell design, is set to cross the block at RM's Automobiles of Arizona event at the Biltmore Resort and Spa in Phoenix on January 22nd, 2010. Its design, build, development and racing were spearheaded by legendary racing driver Ken Miles and after months of testing and modifications, 2196 became the only prototype produced for the famed 427 Cobras that followed. It was raced in period at Riverside, Sebring and Nassau.


http://www.sportscardigest.com/shelb...e-rm-auctions/

It's pretty well known by Cobra buffs man. Google CSX 2196 and you'll find lots of info. Of course it's well documented in all the Shelby literature as well. As far as big block Cobras go, it ranks right up there with the most important and may eclipse the 5.5 mil. payed for Shelby's twin supercharged CSX 3015 at BJ back in 07.

Steve

That's the 427, leaf-spring monster that Dan Gurney (or was it Miles?) took for one lap and pronounced "a turd." Lovely car, historically without par, probably should never be driven faster than parade speeds. :D

Ken Miles.

You need to ask Duane, of decooney fame, how the flip-top handles at speed. Rich Mason was kind enough to let Duane take it around the track at the last Western States Cobra Bash :eek: I guess now we will have an answer to my question some time ago about " what is the flip-top worth".

Dick

Was 2196 the one Miles put into the tree at Riverside?

miles/tree
 

thats the one. i have seen that car up close and man, that thing is beautiful. i would have to say it's more rare than those coupes everyone talks about. i like the "TURD".

Sad that it handles so bad. I really like the design. Found this pic of a front on shot:
http://www.4speedtoploaders.com/imag...view%20one.jpg
http://www.4speedtoploaders.com/imag...ew%20three.jpg

Not sure if these are the same car but probably gets the design across from a couple of different angles.

Wasn't the flip-top Cobra 390 powered?

DD

Originally sported an experimental Ford 390 alloy engine as I recall. Cast as a 427, in alloy, then sleeved down to the 390 bore size. Rumor's pop up from time to time about the original engine being for sale. Far as I know it remains separated from the car. Terrific history with that car, I would presume a very significant sales price.

But, you never know...

Here is a link to a 8-06-07 thread titled " If the Super Cobra is worth 5 mil, what is the Flip Top worth? It has a lot of info on 2169.

http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/all-cobra-talk/76108-if-super-cobra-worth-5mil-what-flip-top-worth.html

****************

$10 million?
 

Just a guess
What do you think?
Closest guess to sales price wins...
Uh, recognition?

:cool:

It would be my first choice if I had that kinda money :CRY:

No, The Teddy treebagger car was one of the first FE engined prototypes with 'normal' type opening doors/trunk/bonnet etc, perhaps its most obvious feature visual was the three inverted saucer shaped air inlets to the radiator just above the std grill opening.
Pages 160/161 of Carroll Shelbys Racing Cobra... by Freidman & Christy.
On the next couple of pages there are several pics of the body of 2196 in the process of fabrication with all the extra strips of alloy that were inserted to make it wider etc clearly visible.
In the attached pic the bare bones car in foreground is 2196, Im guessing the 2nd car is the prototype going only by the apparent size of the headers.

Man I need to go to that auction -- they also have some awesome aces.

http://www.rmauctions.com/FeatureCar...auctionday=thu
http://www.rmauctions.com/FeatureCar...auctionday=thu

Hi Dick, yes indeed. Even today I feel that I still cannot accurately describe how suprised I was by the car, but I may give it a try for old WSCB time sake there old buddy. Many times I wonder what would happen today in a real vintage race rematch at speed at Laguna Seca with that new motor in there, with all the right drivers in the same cars as back then. Obviously a different motor now, built by someone here locally here in my town. I will openly admit I was partially expecting somewhat of an older rattletrap race car feel. NOT the case at all. I quickly learned it was completely the opposite. Before leaving the pits, I mentioned to Rich that if he was going to actually let me drive it, and if I felt good with it on the 3rd or 4th lap, I was going to lay into it a few times to see how it felt. He said okay. Being an ex Kart racer, and I've ridden only a few real fast modern sport bikes in my life for comparison, the car felt more like like a low slung go kart with the ability to accelerate at sport bike speed as compared to other big block Cobras I've driven. Cornering was a whole other level that I did not even attempt to get into at higher speeds. The car and value is well beyond my skill and willingness to drive over my head but I could tell with a few days of solid driving, i would be in pure heaven. My ERA with an FE by Tom at FE Spec is no slouch by any means... but my car compared to the fliptop is not even on the same playing field, not even close. There was one point where five Cobras were humming along pretty good on a decent back stretch, it was a nice wide area, so I decided I had plenty of room and wanted to pass around the outside of all of them. The transition happened so quickly, pretty much like they were all tied to a fence post. We were not racing, just running some good hot laps, but it gave me a pretty darn good idea of what was underneath me and it was absolutely like nothing I had ever experienced before and probably never will again.

The new owner better have a box of Depends ready if one actually plans to put it on a track again and drive it at real race speed. :JEKYLHYDE

Didn't Miles say it "wallowed"?

:D

Duanne it is great to hear about your fun time behind the wheel of a great car. I do remember that big s*** eating grin you had on your face the whole week-end. Now all we need is for Bob P to finally tell us the story he teased us with about Rich getting a good deal on the car by purchasing his wife a Very expensive hand-made purse.

Dick

There is a misprint in at least one of the Cobra books that would explain your statement above, however 2196 started off as the treebagger car and was later built into the flip-top.

My guess is will draw no where near the $5.5M that the supersnake went for. Those days are over. It'll be lucky to get $1M. My guess is closer to $500K. With BJ going on that week there might be a bigger total audiance - if someone is really interested they get two auctions. I wonder what day it will come up? I might drop over just to see it and get some pictures.