Big block CSX3259 at dealership near SF

[ZOERA-SC7XX]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Would an owner of an historic car prefer to keep a dented original crossmember piece rather than replace it with a newer piece?

The car was also prepped and run in the Monterey Historics, according to the writeup, and maybe that has something to do with the clamps lines.

Lastly, the owner dictates what is done and what is not done on a car, so it's possible the owner may have wanted something a certain way and the restorer had no choice in the matter.

Just speculating and I'm by no means a mechanic.

Everyone on this site (whether they drive an original or fake Cobra) has their own specific idea of how they want their car to be prepared (or restored), be it for street, track or both. There is no right or wrong way. From what I see, most original Cobra owners don't give a rat's ass as to how these cars left LA when new. A Cobra is a Cobra (original), and can stand on their own anywhere. I'm am quite surprised that SAAC has the build records and invoices for these originals, though. Even GM never kept complete records for the Corvette builds, leaving the enthusiast only the VIN and engine numbers to decode the car.

[computerworks]

I'm am quite surprised that SAAC has the build records and invoices for these originals

Only took the work of few dedicated folks a few decades to accumulate.

Plus, quite a bit of footnotes on each cars history thru the years... like, I can see in the Registry how many times this car was known to be painted...and what colors.

[ZOERA-SC7XX]

Originally Posted by computerworks

Only took the work of few dedicated folks a few decades to accumulate.

Plus, quite a bit of footnotes on each cars history thru the years... like, I can see in the Registry how many times this car was known to be painted...and what colors.

Wouldn't that be only if the owner had reported it? There must be empty periods with most of these cars???

[computerworks]

Data is accumulated from owner submissions as well as third-party reports, classified ads and any public appearance of the car in print.

Sure, there are gaps on many cars.

[DMXF]

Originally Posted by ZOERA-SC7XX

Everyone on this site (whether they drive an original or fake Cobra) has their own specific idea of how they want their car to be prepared (or restored), be it for street, track or both. There is no right or wrong way. From what I see, most original Cobra owners don't give a rat's ass as to how these cars left LA when new. A Cobra is a Cobra (original), and can stand on their own anywhere.

The majority of Cobras had modifications or optional original factory parts added early in the car's life, which was promoted by Shelby American, and that is the aura of what they were about... as such, a number of buyers want a car like they remember seeing growing up. In recent years a greater number of buyers strive for "as delivered" but in one respect removing all the comp parts and putting cars back to exactly how they left the factory can be considered creating something that didn't exist for the useful life of the car. The desireability of such comp features to some can be maximized to many hard core enthusiasts if all the parts are genuine original. That said, care should be given as any such deviations can often become a prime breeding ground for cancerous disregard for any originality and after decades of replacing things with whatever is readily available, you end up not being able to find any fine features of the original manufacturing uniqueness on the entire car. The best solution seems to be storing any "as delivered" items so they can be retrofitted down the road if desired and keeping everything factory original, whether comp or street.

Originally Posted by ZOERA-SC7XX

I'm am quite surprised that SAAC has the build records and invoices for these originals, though. Even GM never kept complete records for the Corvette builds, leaving the enthusiast only the VIN and engine numbers to decode the car.

Cobra invoices were usually not that detailed, but there are enough pictures of many cars when new, understanding of how chassis number ranges were configured and comments from prior owners to piece together the majority of their early attributes.

[Ron61]

Dcmgt,

Not to argue with you, but the invoices in the 1997 registry were pretty well detailed. They area pain to read as they used very small print and I have to use a magnifying glass, but they pretty well cover the car from when Shelby got it to what was done and where it went from there. After that it is up to the people who bought them to keep the registry people informed as to any changes and many don't. I haven't sit down and compared the invoices in the new registry with those in the old one yet, so it may not be as detailed.

Ron

[DMXF]

Originally Posted by Ron61

Dcmgt, Not to argue with you, but the invoices in the 1997 registry were pretty well detailed. They area pain to read as they used very small print and I have to use a magnifying glass, but they pretty well cover the car from when Shelby got it to what was done and where it went from there. After that it is up to the people who bought them to keep the registry people informed as to any changes and many don't. I haven't sit down and compared the invoices in the new registry with those in the old one yet, so it may not be as detailed. Ron

Ron - Of the invoices I've seen, focusing primarily on big block cars, the detail is inconsistent. Some comp car sheets list everything down to the seat belts (which most if not all cars came with), while many others just say "comp car". Ned could maybe add more here. The significant aspect most applicable to this discussion is that any major deviation from what was considered standard for that type of car at that point in production was typically called out on the invoice so SA could charge extra for it.

[A-Snake]

Originally Posted by Ron61

Dcmgt,

Not to argue with you, but the invoices in the 1997 registry were pretty well detailed. They area pain to read as they used very small print and I have to use a magnifying glass, but they pretty well cover the car from when Shelby got it to what was done and where it went from there. After that it is up to the people who bought them to keep the registry people informed as to any changes and many don't. I haven't sit down and compared the invoices in the new registry with those in the old one yet, so it may not be as detailed.

Ron

Ron,
I think you will find you are thinking of the invoices for the 289 leaf spring cars as they were much more detailed compared to the coil spring cars. The 289 invoices showed each option installed by SAI. By the time the 427's were being produced the element of options became more of a dealer provided item.

[Ron61]

You are both correct. I was thinking of the leaf spring cars. The big block cars invoices were inconsistent to say the least. And with the amount of changes over all of these years it is really difficult to actually know exactly how many of them left SAI back in the 60s. One of the most consistent things I have found in both registries is which engine they had when they left SAI.

Ron

[computerworks]

Originally Posted by Ron61

... it is really difficult to actually know exactly how many of them left SAI back in the 60s.

I believe they all did.

[Ron61]

Ok, so I fell into that one. To use one of those worn out phrases, You know what I meant.

Ron