Club Cobra Gas-N Exhaust  

Go Back   Club Cobra > Cobra Talk Areas > ALL COBRA TALK

Nevada Classics
Keith Craft Racing
Main Menu
Module Jump:
Nevada Classics
Nevada Classics
MMG Superformance
Advertise at CC
Banner Ad Rates
Keith Craft Racing
MMG Superformance
Keith Craft Racing
MMG Superformance
April 2024
S M T W T F S
  1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30        

Kirkham Motorsports

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1 (permalink)  
Old 02-23-2004, 05:25 PM
Unique580hp's Avatar
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Warsaw, IN
Cobra Make, Engine: Unique Motorcars 427 Cobra. 427 Side Oiler. Dual Quads.
Posts: 396
Not Ranked     
Default Did Carrol Shelby drive an automatic Cobra?

Hello,

I was just told that Carrol Shelby chose an automatic transmission for his personal street Cobra back in the 60's. They also said that Bill Cosby bought one with an automatic as well.

History buffs......is this true?
__________________
1st car was a Cobra, hopefully my last will be also!
Reply With Quote
  #2 (permalink)  
Old 02-23-2004, 05:52 PM
Shade Tree Mechanic
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: La Plata, MD
Cobra Make, Engine: - Unique - 302 - 4 spd. -
Posts: 680
Not Ranked     
Default

I think it was CSX3015, 427, twin superchargers, and an automatic tranny!
__________________
- Jim Harding -
- Capital Area Cobra Club -
- Just another day in Cobra Paradise -
Reply With Quote
  #3 (permalink)  
Old 02-23-2004, 06:34 PM
computerworks's Avatar
Senior Club Cobra Member
Visit my Photo Gallery
Lifetime Contributor
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Northport, NY
Cobra Make, Engine: Kirkham, KMP178 / '66 GT350H, 4-speed
Posts: 10,362
Not Ranked     
Default

Jim's got one of them!

CS apparently liked C-4's

In 1972, he had CSX2589 ( the last leaf-spring car) fitted with an automatic, as well as a 351 with Cleveland heads.



...he still has the car.

..plus, CSX3015, the twin turbo, had an auto as well.
Attached Images
 
Reply With Quote
  #4 (permalink)  
Old 02-23-2004, 07:35 PM
cobrajeff's Avatar
Senior Club Cobra Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Edgewater, FL
Cobra Make, Engine: ERA FIA, BOSS 351C/Webers
Posts: 1,304
Not Ranked     
Default

CSX 3015, Shelby's twin-Paxton Supercharged car, CSX 3178, and CSX 2589 (the last 289 Cobra built) all have automatic transmissions.

Shelby still owns CSX 3178 and CSX 2589.

All three of his personal '66 GT 350's (two fastbacks and one continuation convertible), and his '69 GT 500 convertible are all equipped with automatic transmissions.

regards,

cobrajeff
__________________
CobraJeff
ERA P 202
Reply With Quote
  #5 (permalink)  
Old 02-23-2004, 08:04 PM
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.A., IN
Cobra Make, Engine: Home built, supercharged 544cu/in automatic
Posts: 924
Not Ranked     
Default

You guys amaze me. And not a bad word to be said about automatics either. BRAVO!

cobrashock
__________________
Ron Shockley
Reply With Quote
  #6 (permalink)  
Old 02-23-2004, 08:23 PM
Unique580hp's Avatar
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Warsaw, IN
Cobra Make, Engine: Unique Motorcars 427 Cobra. 427 Side Oiler. Dual Quads.
Posts: 396
Not Ranked     
Default Wow! Twin superchargers

Wow, twin superchargers on a 427. Does anyone know the performance specs on that car? A 427 is fast enough but one that is twin supercharged!!!

Thank you for the information.

I agree Cobrashoch it is amazing that no one (yet) has flamed Carrol for his automatic choice. It seems like these could be the rarest Shelbys and the most desirable. Wouldn't that make automatics like ours even MORE sought after instead of sneered at?

I know mine has been for sale since Thanksgiving and I have had many people tell me, "It's a really beautiful car and I would buy it in a second if it were a toploader".

I guess if it is good enough to be King Carrol's personal choice it is good enough for little ol' me.

Thanks for posting the photos and the information. I really appreciate it.

Scott
__________________
1st car was a Cobra, hopefully my last will be also!
Reply With Quote
  #7 (permalink)  
Old 02-23-2004, 09:01 PM
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: GENOA,, NV 89411,
Posts: 317
Not Ranked     
Default

ONLY ONE OF THE TWIN 427'S PAXTONS COBRAS ARE LEFT, CARROLLS. COSBYS WAS TOTALED, BUT THE CSX# IS ON ANOTHER CAR.
Reply With Quote
  #8 (permalink)  
Old 02-23-2004, 09:39 PM
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Morro Bay, CA
Cobra Make, Engine: FFR 3243. 5.0 (for now), 5-spd.
Posts: 188
Not Ranked     
Default

I have some pictures from a 1968 Rod & Track article on the cars.

The article tends to attribute the use of the automatic to being able to get the BEAST to move out, rather than melt the rubber off the wheels.





__________________
Driving a car like this is the most fun you can have with your clothes on.
Reply With Quote
  #9 (permalink)  
Old 02-23-2004, 09:50 PM
Unique580hp's Avatar
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Warsaw, IN
Cobra Make, Engine: Unique Motorcars 427 Cobra. 427 Side Oiler. Dual Quads.
Posts: 396
Not Ranked     
Default

Wow 11.9 in the quarter and 182 mph top speed!
__________________
1st car was a Cobra, hopefully my last will be also!
Reply With Quote
  #10 (permalink)  
Old 02-23-2004, 11:01 PM
Senior Club Cobra Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Cobra Make, Engine:
Posts: 15,712
Not Ranked     
Default

Hey if Shelby wants to run an automatic, thats OK by me.

But don't think YOU can get away with it without talking some flak!

Ernie
Reply With Quote
  #11 (permalink)  
Old 02-24-2004, 04:06 AM
Tom Wells's Avatar
Senior Club Cobra Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: St. Augustine, FL
Cobra Make, Engine: E-M / Power Performance / 521 stroker / Holley HP EFI
Posts: 1,912
Not Ranked     
Default

Wow, what a nice thread



Tom
__________________
Wells's law of engine size: If it matters what gear you're in, the engine's too small!
Reply With Quote
  #12 (permalink)  
Old 02-24-2004, 04:12 AM
Senile Club Cobra Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Buffalo, NY USA, NY
Cobra Make, Engine: Time Machines Motorsports LLC- Superformance Dealer
Posts: 4,489
Not Ranked     
Exclamation The

..twin Paxton car did not have a C4 but rather a "Large-Case MX" as used in Lincolns. It was not a performance tranny but could handle the large amount of torque available. A real lump of iron...

Rick
__________________
"I'm high all right, but on the real thing....powerful gasoline and a clean windshield..."

http://www.timemachinesauto.com/
Reply With Quote
  #13 (permalink)  
Old 02-24-2004, 04:47 AM
Woodz428's Avatar
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Freedomia,, Il
Cobra Make, Engine: Coupe,Blue w/white stripes SB; Roadster, Blue w/white stripes BB w/2-4s; SPF installer/Hot Rod-Custom Car builder
Posts: 1,376
Not Ranked     
Arrow

It may have been in the Toad Test that was reprinted her, but I recall in one test that the torque was described as being so strong that the brakes could hardly hold the car from rolling when it was in gear at idle.Some torque.
__________________
WDZ
Reply With Quote
  #14 (permalink)  
Old 02-24-2004, 06:42 AM
Senior Club Cobra Member
Visit my Photo Gallery
Original Shelby Owner


 
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Menomonie, Wisconsin,
Posts: 3,505
Not Ranked     
Default

Mark IV:

Wasn't the MX the samething as the C-6.

Regarding you guys with automatics and car value, when you become Carroll Shelby anything you known will become more valuable. In the mean time, expect to be discounted for the slush box.
Reply With Quote
  #15 (permalink)  
Old 02-24-2004, 07:08 AM
Senile Club Cobra Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Buffalo, NY USA, NY
Cobra Make, Engine: Time Machines Motorsports LLC- Superformance Dealer
Posts: 4,489
Not Ranked     
Lightbulb Cal...

..no, the "MX" and the C6 are quite different. The MX series (small, medium and large case, so named for the lengths) have cast iron center sections and removable bellhousings and tail shafts. The C6 is an all aluminum case with integral bellhousing. The C6 appeared in the 66 model year. Prior to that the large case MX was the heaviest duty FoMoCo slushbox tranny.

The austronaut 427 Cobra had one installed behind a Lincoln 462 engine when the FE was stolen out of the car. Don't have the registry handy to look up the CSX number.

Rick
__________________
"I'm high all right, but on the real thing....powerful gasoline and a clean windshield..."

http://www.timemachinesauto.com/
Reply With Quote
  #16 (permalink)  
Old 02-24-2004, 08:25 AM
HighPlainsDrifter's Avatar
Senior Club Cobra Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Chilliwack,BC, BC
Cobra Make, Engine: F5 Roadster
Posts: 1,415
Not Ranked     
Lightbulb

Hi,
The automatic was installed mainly because the engine put out so much torque with the paxton's that the 4 speed toploader and clutch couldn't handle it.
Perry.

PS- We were at the Shelby shop tour in Vegas a few years ago. They had an aluminum body on display in the back, said it was Carrol 's personal car they were using for the mould of the csx 4000 series fiberblass cobra's being done at the prison.

Last edited by HighPlainsDrifter; 02-24-2004 at 08:54 AM..
Reply With Quote
  #17 (permalink)  
Old 02-24-2004, 09:54 AM
computerworks's Avatar
Senior Club Cobra Member
Visit my Photo Gallery
Lifetime Contributor
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Northport, NY
Cobra Make, Engine: Kirkham, KMP178 / '66 GT350H, 4-speed
Posts: 10,362
Not Ranked     
Default

Quote:
Originally posted by HighPlainsDrifter


PS- We were at the Shelby shop tour in Vegas a few years ago. They had an aluminum body on display in the back, said it was Carrol 's personal car they were using for the mould of the csx 4000 series fiberblass cobra's being done at the prison.
That car, as Cobrajeff pointed out, would have been CSX3178
Reply With Quote
  #18 (permalink)  
Old 02-24-2004, 10:04 AM
ST's Avatar
ST ST is offline
Senior Club Cobra Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Cobra Make, Engine: Kirkham#182/Shelby 496c.i.
Posts: 756
Not Ranked     
Default

I was under the impression that CSX3057 a Kimmons bodied "completion car" was used to fabricate the shape of the 4000 series glass cars.
__________________
"You can NEVER teach a pig to sing! You'd just be wasting your time and annoying the pig!"
Reply With Quote
  #19 (permalink)  
Old 02-24-2004, 10:29 AM
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Chicago, Oscar winner, my kind of town,
Posts: 614
Not Ranked     
Default Re: The

Quote:
Originally posted by Mark IV
..twin Paxton car did not have a C4 but rather a "Large-Case MX" as used in Lincolns. It was not a performance tranny but could handle the large amount of torque available. A real lump of iron...
Rick
are you sure they were PAXTONs? Saw different brand named on another forum.
Reply With Quote
  #20 (permalink)  
Old 02-24-2004, 12:24 PM
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery
Original Shelby Owner


 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Crawley, WS
Cobra Make, Engine: AC427 MkIII of 2004 vintage
Posts: 1,210
Not Ranked     
Default

The 'Cosby' twin-Paxton auto-slush-box scary monster car, as Al Dowd and Cosby would confirm, was CSX3303 and ended up in the Pacific with loss of life. (See page 177 of the current Shelby World registry)

Brian Angliss at Autokraft was always on the lookout for unclaimed chassis titles/and or write-offs, so built a brand new 427 around the chassis number and the car was last sold at Coys auction in 1995. It had a manual box, as is right and proper.
__________________
trev289
Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 03:53 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.0
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0
The representations expressed are the representations and opinions of the clubcobra.com forum members and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and viewpoints of the site owners, moderators, Shelby American, any other replica manufacturer, Ford Motor Company. This website has been planned and developed by clubcobra.com and its forum members and should not be construed as being endorsed by Ford Motor Company, or Shelby American or any other manufacturer unless expressly noted by that entity. "Cobra" and the Cobra logo are registered trademarks for Ford Motor Co., Inc. clubcobra.com forum members agree not to post any copyrighted material unless the copyrighted material is owned by you. Although we do not and cannot review the messages posted and are not responsible for the content of any of these messages, we reserve the right to delete any message for any reason whatsoever. You remain solely responsible for the content of your messages, and you agree to indemnify and hold us harmless with respect to any claim based upon transmission of your message(s). Thank you for visiting clubcobra.com. For full policy documentation refer to the following link: CC Policy
Links monetized by VigLink