Cobra: CSX 3127

[Don]

Might be a repeat, but in case anyone missed a Thread

By: Brad Constant on 12/02/2011 @ AutoWeek

"Shelby American's original 1965 Shelby 427 Street Cobra prototype will be up for auction at the 2012 Russo and Steele auction on Jan. 18-22, 2012, in Scottsdale, Ariz.

According to the auction house, this 427 Cobra--chassis No. CSX 3127--was the fourth of the 260 original 427 Street Cobras created by Shelby. The car was built by Britain's Auto Carriers Ltd., like all Cobras, but it was the only one delivered to Shelby American by air; the rest were delivered by boat. CSX 3127 arrived first, in bare aluminum ready for Shelby to install a Ford 427 V8 engine.

Check out the fascinating history of CSX 3127 at Russo and Steele's Web site, and start saving your pennies. "


Russo and Steele - This 1965 Shelby Cobra 427 CSX3127 Changed Automotive History by Paving the Way for the Production of All 427 Street Cobras

Read more: Prototype 1965 Shelby Cobra 427 to hit Scottsdale auction block - Autoweek

[RACER X #99]

I sure hope this is not another original Cobra that's going to be trashed by the resident replica "experts"?

[computerworks]

Ned commented on the "prototype" status:

The first four 427 street Cobras were all shipped by TWA air freight. They were CSX 3101, 3118, 3120, and 3127. The latter (3127) was the only "narrow hip" example, and it was used as a PR car on the Cobra Caravan as well as for display at various dealerships.

It was the narrow-hip prototype; it has since been "S/C-ized," as currently shown.

[RACER X #99]

Originally Posted by computerworks

Ned commented on the "prototype" status:



It was the narrow-hip prototype; it has since been "S/C-ized," as currently shown.

There you have it, it's totally ruined but I'll go Bill one better and offer $200 for this one.

[computerworks]

Originally Posted by RACER X #99

There you have it, it's totally ruined

I get a little sad when I see street changed to S/C...it's amazing how many had that conversion done over the years.

[Trueoo7]

Originally Posted by computerworks

I get a little sad when I see street changed to S/C...it's amazing how many had that conversion done over the years.

When you say changed, does that mean they installed a whole new rear clip or did they modify the existing body to make it wider?

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by RACER X #99

There you have it, it's totally ruined but I'll go Bill one better and offer $200 for this one.

$250 and a bottle of Boones Farm Country Quencher

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by mrmustang

$250 and a bottle of Boones Farm Country Quencher

$300 and a bottle of Crown Royal.

I'm betting it will be a reserve not met at $650K. Shall we start the pool?

[Blue66]

Originally Posted by computerworks

Ned commented on the "prototype" status:



It was the narrow-hip prototype; it has since been "S/C-ized," as currently shown.

well I went down that road with #3147. Had a set of the SC original rims an had to have the flairs. BUT that was a long time ago. Today I would just buy another car the way I "needed" it. Oh I have to add. I now would really like a 427 street car.. NO hoodscoop, roll bar or side exhaust. Getting old I guess.

[1985 CCX]

Would fit nicely in my garage.........

[Trevor Legate]

Auto Carriers...??

[computerworks]

Originally Posted by Trevor Legate

Auto Carriers...??

...apparently using an old phone book for reference.

[Trevor Legate]

By Jove of course! God Save the King.....

[mickmate]

I'm with Ron, I love the street cars as they were. Especially with it being the first narrow hip. The thing is so freakin beautiful it doesn't even look real though.

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by mickmate

I'm with Ron, I love the street cars as they were. Especially with it being the first narrow hip. The thing is so freakin beautiful it doesn't even look real though.

That is one of the reasons Cobras remain classics. One of the most beautiful I've ever seen. It's a great photograph.

[marcocsx3121]

I have to question how CSX3127 became the "prototype" street 427, when my street 427 was CSX 3121. As has been stated, it may have been the first narrow fender car; 3121 had the SC-type wider fenders sans the extra lip on the rear.

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by marcocsx3121

I have to question how CSX3127 became the "prototype" street 427, when my street 427 was CSX 3121. As has been stated, it may have been the first narrow fender car; 3121 had the SC-type wider fenders sans the extra lip on the rear.

Most likely it was whatever chassis was closest to the work area (that was not for a specific customer order)...Something like "we need a chassis to try an experiment, go grab one for me"..........

Bill S.

[computerworks]

Originally Posted by marcocsx3121

I have to question how CSX3127 became the "prototype" street 427, when my street 427 was CSX 3121. As has been stated, it may have been the first narrow fender car; 3121 had the SC-type wider fenders sans the extra lip on the rear.

Like I said earlier, Ned commented:

The first four 427 street Cobras were all shipped by TWA air freight. They were CSX 3101, 3118, 3120, and 3127. The latter (3127) was the only "narrow hip" example, and it was used as a PR car on the Cobra Caravan as well as for display at various dealerships.

Of the first 4, this car was the first of the narrowed-rear hip design

[Historybuff]

I remember seeing what was represented to me to be first street car (smooth hood, no side pipes) at Shelby American's factory in '65. That car was red. Later in Detroit, I was given a ride by a lady driver accompanying the Cobra Caravan, that car was red with white side pipes, but I don't remember if it had a hood scoop (I was too busy trying to fasten the seat belt at 140 mph!).

I can see how a used car dealer would be tempted to pump up the Cobra image with a hood scoop and side pipes but I predict eventually most real CSX2000 and CSX3000 Cobras will be retrofitted color and trim-wise as to how they came out of the factory originally (that means a lot of side pipes and or hood scoops will be tossed out!) or maybe how they were raced in a particular race. Anyway, I wonder how many of the S/C mechanical changes were made on the car in question that you can't see in the pictures or was it just scoop and side pipes?

Also I saw the movie COBRA and try as I might I didn't see a single Cobra in it (I think Stallone was driving some chopped top Merc with a supercharger and maybe nitrous). But I did see a similar black big block Cobra parked in front of a beach house in Malibu so maybe that was Sly's. What a dummy he was for selling it when he didn't need the money...(well, maybe that divorce from Brigette Nielson--who was in the movie COBRA with him-- cost him heavy bread and it had to go...)

[fordracing65]

Solid black is my favorite cobra.