History of AC & Shelby Cobra Models

[Robert Cooper]

I have not had access to any official historical guide that documents every early model Cobra built although I know such a resource exists. I've done innerweb searches and even some of the results are confusing and not definitive.

I do know that between AC and Shelby that while there were only a few models, few were exactly alike.

What adds to the confusion of the various models are the many different reproductions. Seems that all claim to be modeled after CSX#'s. I don't know of many modeled after COB#'s, but maybe they exist. And these various reproductions show significant physical differences.

So I'm looking at the Cobra historians to offer some guidance and clarification.

As far as I know, Cobras came in a few cosmetic styles:

• The original "slabside" both with AC and Shelby, Mk1 & 2, flat bottom opening
• 289 FIA with flared wheelwells built for compliance with the FIA for racing, not sure if they had a Mk designation. Modified Mk2?
• AC 289 Sports, Shelby 427 street and s/c Mk3 with wide flares and oval opening, the s/c having a hood scoop & side pipes

I also understand that the difference between the AC Mk3 & Shelby Cobra Mk3 was the drivetrain, as AC never adopted the 427 and used the 289 engine. But they visually look the same.

We all know what the s/c is.

Is my understanding correct? Am I missing a model or style?

And I'm curious: was the 289 FIA style ever produced as a street car in the US or GB, or were they specifically for racing?

Thank you in advance for your input.

Regards-

[LMH]

Best thing probably would be to buy a registry. It contains all the CSX, COB and COX cars.
Larry

[moore_rb]

Firstly- I totally agree with Larry - specific questions are very hard to garner generic answers to. The SAAC Registry (or someone nice enough to share their copy with you) is a wealth of information about specific Cobras

That being said...:

Originally Posted by Robert Cooper

I'm curious: was the 289 FIA style ever produced as a street car in the US or GB, or were they specifically for racing?

-

There is actually no such thing as "the 289 FIA style"... This is a vernacular term used by enthusiasts for cars that emulate a particular body configuration: The 1964 289-style competition cars with the cutback door trailing edges, wide rear quarters ("wide wings" is what AC called them), and the two "trunk bumps".

There were only 5 (or was it 6? I think it was 5) original 289 Cobras that featured the trunk bumps, and none of them were made for the street- They were all "comp" cars built specifically to race.

In fact, the comprehensive answer to your question is that none of the 16 "wide wing" 289 cars that AC produced (with the cutback doors) were intended to be street cars - They were all competition models.
I think at least one of them actually DID end up being restored and registered for street driving after their racing career was over, but originally, they were all sold to go racing.

Otherwise, all 1964 "street" Cobras were slabsides, with the same skinny rear quarter panels as the 1963 street Cobras.

[Dwight]

"WORLD REGISTRY OF COBRAS & GT40s" 4th Edition
Hard back with 1618 pages, cost about $225

[Dwight]

World Registry of Cobras & GT40s, 4th Edition

[Dwight]

another place to buy one

https://saac-stuff.myshopify.com/pro...bras-and-gt40s

[xb-60]

An easy way to become familiar with the different Cobra variants is to grab a copy of publications like "Shelby Cobra Gold Portfolio 1962-1969" (Brooklands Books) which covers descriptions and road tests of all Cobra variants.

Cheers,
Glen

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by moore_rb

.... none of the 16 "wide wing" 289 cars that AC produced (with the cutback doors) were intended to be street cars....

There were actually a small number of other "wide wing" 289 cars - typically called 'cut-back doors' cars (or 'FIA style) that AC produced to order as road cars. One example is COB6008 https://www.google.com.au/search?q=c...w=1674&bih=906

Cheers,
Glen

[1985 CCX]

Not all 5 came with trunk bumps........ boot on 2259 normal.
Despite the registry saying they did. All pre-wreck 2259 photos I have show otherwise.
2259 re bodied carried the bumps Lynn changed.

Cannot seem to load old pic, will keep trying - did it.
Also note front fenders

[1985 CCX]

Couple more pics....
It is possible changes were made along the way.
Only original car remaining 2345 which has dimples.

[1985 CCX]

Think this was final front fender change before the wreck.
Discussed in an old thread.

[1985 CCX]

This helps.....

[peterpjb]

Originally Posted by xb-60

There were actually a small number of other "wide wing" 289 cars - typically called 'cut-back doors' cars (or 'FIA style) that AC produced to order as road cars. One example is COB6008 https://www.google.com.au/search?q=c...w=1674&bih=906

Cheers,
Glen

yes, the registry shows other "wide rear wheel arches"-cars than the FIA or the USRRC cars even with CSX number after 1964, and many cars were rebodied to cutback-FIA style from the 60th until today