How many originals had automatics?

[twin turbo]

I've frequently been given a hard time about having an automatic transmission in my FFR "Roadster". I've gotten used to the verbal abuse (lol), and I feel comfortable explaining the reasons why it works and is fun with my twin turbo engine 1965 FFR twin turbo Cobra 30 mph roll acceleration - YouTube

The problem I ran into a few days ago was I stated that even some originals had automatics. The guy didn't believe me and felt it was sacriledge a Cobra would have an automatic. I was taken off guard and didn't have any data to back up my statement.

Anyone have any specifics on original Cobras that came with an automatic?

[fordracing65]

Just tell them the Supersnake sold for $5mill and it was an automatic and twin supercharged...

[PeteF]

Around 25 original cars were delivered with automatics, from what I have read.

[BAsque1]

Originally Posted by twin turbo

I've frequently been given a hard time about having an automatic transmission in my FFR "Roadster". I've gotten used to the verbal abuse (lol), and I feel comfortable explaining the reasons why it works and is fun with my twin turbo engine 1965 FFR twin turbo Cobra 30 mph roll acceleration - YouTube

The problem I ran into a few days ago was I stated that even some originals had automatics. The guy didn't believe me and felt it was sacriledge a Cobra would have an automatic. I was taken off guard and didn't have any data to back up my statement.

Anyone have any specifics on original Cobras that came with an automatic?

Twin Turbo:
Do not sweat it man, enjoy your Cobra, whether it is automatic or stick shift, people have nothing better to say they should stay quiet. Here is as bit of info I have gathered in the past that you might be able to use. The source is pretty reliable; Hemming's:

The first 75 Cobras were equipped with 260-cu.in. Ford V-8s, while the next 580 were 289 powered. Of the 260 427 Street Cobras, chassis numbers CSX3101-CSX3200, CSX3306-3360 were built with the 427 while CSX3201-CSX3305 were built with 428s. There were four 427 Cobras made with automatic transmissions; the rest used Ford top-loader manual transmissions. The 289 Cobras used Borg Warner T-10 four speeds and 20 were built with C4 automatic transmissions.
I hope this helps you out.
Sincerely
Lou (Basque1)

[KirkV]

I personally live by one with an automatic!

[SunDude]

Originally Posted by twin turbo

I've frequently been given a hard time about having an automatic transmission in my FFR "Roadster". I've gotten used to the verbal abuse (lol), and I feel comfortable explaining the reasons why it works and is fun with my twin turbo engine 1965 FFR twin turbo Cobra 30 mph roll acceleration - YouTube

The problem I ran into a few days ago was I stated that even some originals had automatics. The guy didn't believe me and felt it was sacriledge a Cobra would have an automatic. I was taken off guard and didn't have any data to back up my statement.

Anyone have any specifics on original Cobras that came with an automatic?

I think this is right.

Four 427 Cobras were originally equipped with automatic transmissions:

• CSX 3015 twin-Paxton car for Carroll Shelby
• CSX 3118
• CSX 3141
• CSX 3303 twin-Paxton car for Bill Cosby

Seventeen 289 Cobras were equipped with them too.

[A-Snake]

Originally Posted by SunDude

Seventeen 289 Cobras were equipped with them too.

I believe there are sixteen known factory automatic transmission 289 Cobras. All with 6 bolt engines.

[phattyhales]

It depends on who you talk to and who is counting. But there were about 30 289 cars with automatics plus both Supersnakes did too. (I think I read that in Colin Comer's book Shelby Cobra 50 Years)

[A-Snake]

Originally Posted by phattyhales

It depends on who you talk to and who is counting. But there were about 30 289 cars with automatics plus both Supersnakes did too. (I think I read that in Colin Comer's book Shelby Cobra 50 Years)

As in most books, there are typos. Perhaps Colin used the text from the photo caption on page 43 of the Registry that states "less than 30 were made", which in fact is also a typo
With a little reading one can list the CSX numbers of the cars that received automatics. Start from CSX2589 and work backwards.

[OnyxRider]

Originally Posted by BAsque1

Hemming's:

The first 75 Cobras were equipped with 260-cu.in. Ford V-8s, while the next 580 were 289 powered. Of the 260 427 Street Cobras, chassis numbers CSX3101-CSX3200, CSX3306-3360 were built with the 427 while CSX3201-CSX3305 were built with 428s. There were four 427 Cobras made with automatic transmissions; the rest used Ford top-loader manual transmissions. The 289 Cobras used Borg Warner T-10 four speeds and 20 were built with C4 automatic transmissions.
I hope this helps you out.
Sincerely
Lou (Basque1)

If it matters I can go digging for very accurate info on the 427 engines. A few were top-oilers as opposed to side oilers.


Mosy of the automobiles Carroll had were automatics that he drove personally.

[Dumpling]

"I was taken off guard and didn't have any data to back up my statement."

So you were just spouting stuff that sounded good?
And you're talking about "originals" while standing next to a FFR?

Does your FFR have radial tires on it...like the originals?

Give it a rest.

Jeez

[twin turbo]

Dumpling, are you having a bad day or something? Do you talk to people this way face to face?

The guy was giving me a hard time about a "Cobra" having an auto trans, lol. He brought up the subject of originals. I knew some originals came with autos. If you want to call this "spouting off", so be it. I don't claim my car is original. Cobras didn't come with fuel injection and twin turbos for heavens sake.

Thanks to those who posted above with specifics, I always wondered the details on those with automatics.

Cheers.

[CobraV8]

Originally Posted by twin turbo

Cobras didn't come with fuel injection and twin turbos for heavens sake.

Not exactly, but COB6131 (one of the chassis initially sold to Paramount) was retrofitted with a twin turbo 427 in 1978. However this was a draw through Holley setup.

Simon

[phattyhales]

Originally Posted by A-Snake

As in most books, there are typos. Perhaps Colin used the text from the photo caption on page 43 of the Registry that states "less than 30 were made", which in fact is also a typo
With a little reading one can list the CSX numbers of the cars that received automatics. Start from CSX2589 and work backwards.

I was just going from my memory.

[my427cobra]

You mean an automatic that looks like this?





I adapted a 4-speed shift lever to the automatc shifter mechanism and put in a dummy clutch pedal to use as a left foot dead pedal.

Cheers
Greg

[Beastly]

very sneaky !! Greg

[Donunder]

but also very clever....

My problem is that being 6'5' and with, let's say, larger than normal feet, the thrill and enjoyment of driving my Arntz is tempered somewhat by the discomfort of trying to fit into a small footwell. I have to drive bare footed-- even slim race-type shoes won't fit down there-- so long drives become problematic, especially on hot days.

That, together with the fact I hit the big seven oh tomorrow, means that my next Cobra (oh yeah, I'm not finished with them yet!) will in all likelihood be an auto. I'll miss swapping cogs, but one less pedal down there means more room for my feet.

When the time comes I'll certainly be in touch with you Greg for some shift lever set up details if you wouldn't mind, but I'll thankfully dispense with the dead pedal!

[A-Snake]

Originally Posted by A-Snake

I believe there are sixteen known factory automatic transmission 289 Cobras. All with 6 bolt engines.

For the sake of clarity ;-) There are 15 known production 289 Cobras with automatic transmissions and 6 bolt engines. Another prototype automatic 289 Cobra was produced BUT as yet it has not been confirmed to have had a 6 bolt, it could have had a 5 bolt engine.

[my427cobra]

Happy Birthday Don (Donunder). Would be glad to give you the details of the shift lever adaptation. You probably have different transmission choices down there but it should be pretty simple.

Cheers
Greg