Quote:
Originally Posted by peterpjb
as I know all race cobras were equipped with cast-aluminium bellhousing due to homologation, also nowadays all cobras racing with FIA-HTP should be equipped with alu bellhouses
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Period pictures 1963-1965, including forms submitted to the FIA and accepted show COBRA lettered for sure not stock aluminum bell housings. The pictures in the Ford acrhives and other sources show them in use by the time the CSX21xx series "LeMans Replicas" were completed.
The LeMans Replicas, the cut back door race cars, Dragonsnakes (CSX2019 is the lowest chassis number that I know SAI installed a COBRA scattershield on but there might be earlier ones), and Daytona Coupes all count as works race cars. (The best I can tell the AC Cars coupe serial A98 used a stock Ford housing but there is little of the bell housing shown in its new car pictures.)
I don't have photo copies of all the "FIA" papers but I have a some. The FIA forms were not a data dumps of AC Cars, Ford, Shelby, et allii engineering files. I lieu of having a room full of drawings pictures were taken of parts, sometimes assemblies, and sometimes sections of cars like assembled on the car under a fender shot of suspension and brakes. I noticed that in case of dispute at a race that Shelby was advised to have these forms and their pictures ready to prove that they items in question were approved. If picture proves it then if nothing else the FIA approved engine pictures showing a COBRA bell housing should be all that is required.
October 8, 1962 FIA recognition of Cobras and assigned “…FIA Recognition #79.”
No line item for bell housing specification in the forms supplied by the FIA for Shelby to fill out. The bell housing area is not shown in the attached engine photo.
Also interesting:
- 260 c.i.d. engine (actually on the form in cubic centimeters) with 11.5:1 SCR
- Induction was via a single 4V Holley® carburetor on a cast iron SK prefix XHP-260 intake (picture attached).
November 1962 updated FIA forms.
Again, no line item for bell housing specification in the forms supplied by the FIA for Shelby to fill out. No mention of an optional bell housing in the supplemental “Optional equipment…” list added to the forms submitted. My photo copy of the forms is not good enough to determine what kind of bell housing is on the engine shown.
Also interesting:
- 289 c.i.d. engine with 12:1 SCR
- Induction now listed as 4 each Weber 48 IDM carburetors on aluminum intake (picture attached) Legend says it was a wooden mock up painted silver for the photo.
- Magnesium wheels and bigger tires for rear added
- Earliest listing I have come across of all the optional race equipment available at the time.
September 1963 updated FIA forms.
Third set of forms second update and again, no line item for bell housing specification in the forms supplied by the FIA for Shelby to fill out. However the engine assembly photos (2 photos) attached on page 2 clearly shows a COBRA lettered cast steel scatter shield. Again, no mention of an optional bell housing in the supplemental “Optional equipment…” list added to the forms submitted. Okay, so I can’t find an itemized text for bell housing material but what the FIA approved and sent back shows a picture of a Shelby works race engine with a COBRA lettered scatter shield.
Also interesting:
- Pictures of cars and equipment are getting more detailed.
- The chassis that we believe to be CSX2138 shown as an example of multiple racing equipment details.
- 4 each Weber 48 IDM carburetors on COBRA lettered aluminum intake (picture attached)
February 6, 1964 “Re-confirming” FIA papers submittal.
Again, no line item for bell housing specification in the forms supplied by the FIA for Shelby to fill out. However the holotype race Cobra used as an example was CSX2138 and the engine shown in the factory portfolio of the car includes an engine shown with a COBRA lettered scattershield.
Also interesting:
- A picture of CSX2138 as received from England was attached to page 1.
- Aerodynamic hard top now a racing option.
- Steering now rack and pinion.
- Weber 48IDMs still listed
April 15, 1964 “AMENDMENT FORM” (signed off April 11) revising and amending the February 6, 1964 list.
- More optional racing equipment part selections are added
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