The history of 427 Cobra wheels?

[my427cobra]

Hi all. Can anyone direct me to any written references as to the history of the various wheels Shelby used on the 427 Cobras?

I know a little but probably not all correct.

As an example:

Shelby intended to build the 427's as race cars. Therefore he intended to use the available Halibrand wheels. Did the Halibrand wheels have a name? What widths. material (aluminum vs mag) etc.

History suggests that the lack of 427 race car sales and Ford's reluctance for the 427 Cobra to compete with the GT40 program, only about 35 race cars were produced (6 Comp cars and the balance converted to SC's). They all used Halibrands, right?

Then Shelby decided to build Street 427 Cobra's and Halibrand could not supply in volume.

So Peter Brock designed the cast aluminum Sunburst wheel and it was manufactured by Kelsey Hayes (right?).

Just curious.

Cheers
Greg

[super]

Greg,

Last year I searched for new rims for my car and as I don't like the Halibrands, I tried to find another option.
First I also thought about Sunbursts - but these wheels are hard to source and really expensive.

I found the August 1965 Ford Times (see : Ford Time August 1965, Introduction of the 427 Cobra, Online FFR Magazine. ) which describes the 427 Cobra and I decided to use also these pretty nice FIA rims on my car.

I know, the FIA rims were basically used on the 289 car, but I think they also fit perfect to the 427.

That's what I did.

All the best
Werner

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by my427cobra

So Peter Brock designed the cast aluminum Sunburst wheel and it was manufactured by Kelsey Hayes (right?).

No. In their infinite wisdom it was decided that Halibrand would manufacture the "Sunburst" wheels albeit in aluminum. That didn't work out well at first but eventually they caught up....mostly because the 427 Cobra sales were "slow" to be polite.

[CompClassics]

Some of the 427 comp cars actually received 289 "FIA" style wheels.

[LMH]

Yep, that true. Some early 427's used the "FIA" wheels.
Larry

CSX3031:

[LMH]

[xb-60]

That's nice garage wall art you have there Larry
Cheers,
Glen

[Dan Case]

Originally Posted by LMH

Yep, that true. Some early 427's used the "FIA" wheels.
Larry

CSX3031:

For clarification, the 8½" wide six spoke rear wheels versions SAI just called "Mag Wheel" rear wheels for Cobras and 427 Cobras are different castings with significantly different offsets.

SHELBY AMERICAN PERFORMANCE EQUIPMENT
HIGH PERFORMANCE AUTOMOBILE PARTS DATE 04-16-65

S1CR 1013 Wheel, Mag Rear 8-1/2" Offset Halibrand 137.75 (retail) 103.50 (dealer) {Dan's comment: introduced during 1964 season and 1965 season rear racing Cobra wheel where allowed. Not every racing organization/event/class allowed 8½ rear wheels on Cobras. Most racing Cobras used some type of 7½ wide rear wheel and there were several types.}

S2CR 1013- 1 Wheel, Mag Rear 8.50 X 15 Halibrand 130.00 (retail) 97.50 (dealer) {Dan's comment: made for 427 Cobra race cars with an offset suitable for the then new coil spring chassis.}

[LMH]

Originally Posted by xb-60

That's nice garage wall art you have there Larry
Cheers,
Glen

I wish that was my garage wall! Actually, that's a photo from the Cobra Experience Museum in CA.
Larry

[Maricopa]

15" Torque Thrusts are a nice option too.

[marcocsx3121]

FWIW, when I bought CSX 3121 in 1969, it was riding on FIA wheels. I eventually traded up to 7-1/2 and 9-1/2 Halibrands, which were considered "class" rolling stock for 427 Cobras.

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by Maricopa

15" Torque Thrusts are a nice option too.

Until the cast-in steel splines start to loosen in the aluminum casting.....it gets rather ugly!

[marcocsx3121]

My old bud Ed R. had the Torque Thrusts on his 289 Cobra, and while I realize that the small block didn't come near the 427 in urge, he ran those wheels hard for at least seven years without a problem.

[Dan Case]

The American Racing produced magnesium wheels for Cobras (leaf spring cars) had bolt in forged steel adapters. The adapters were/are much stronger than original AC Cars rear street car hubs. (SAI and AC both came up with stronger alloy rear hubs for racing.)

The original "sports car" design five spoke wheel assembly had bolts into the magnesium center hub from the rear. That arrangement seemed to work well for most applications. I have known owners that have used them for street and road courses for decades without problems.





Legend says and modern owner experiences agree that rear wheels used in serious drag racing would wallow the bolts in the magnesium wheel. The fix was rotate the adapters and bolt through them and use standard magnesium wheel washers and lug nuts. When SAI’s second drag Cobra was prepared it received the new ‘bolt through’ design wheels. The adapters were the same.

[spl310]

Is there a listing of which cars had which wheels?