Original leaf-spring Cobras and "model years"

[Dan Case]

I do not know if you will get the answers you seek.


Shelby American was very loose with what model year meant. Owners have been very loose with what model year meant. The original invoices I have seen do not mention a model year. The window sticker for CSX2568 starts off “1965 COBRAS…”.


Experimental High Performance 260 (XHP-260) engines were 1963 model to Ford based on when they were made and introduced (road draft tube crankcase ventilation).


High Performance 260 (HP260) engines were also 1963 model engines (road draft tube crankcase ventilation).


High Performance 289 (HP289) engines made between late 1962 and June 1963 were 1963 model engines (road draft tube crankcase ventilation).


HP289 engines assembled between August 1963 and July 1964, and a special run in August 1964 were 1964 model year engines (PCV system crankcase ventilation).


HP289 automatic transmission engines from September 1964 for 15 each Cobras were 1965 model year engines (PCV system crankcase ventilation).


I have found nothing that indicated that Shelby American associated model year of engine with model year of car. One of the three different “1963” engines went to the first hundred plus Cobras, most cars received “1964” engines, and 15 each cars received “1965” engines.

Shelby American wise:

September 1, 1964
A letter was sent to dealers with cars in stock dated September 1, 1964 instructing them to attach the “1965 COBRA” tags to “…each 1965 Cobra you have in inventory.” The stated purpose was to assist getting any new 1965 Cobra “…registered as a 1965 model.” The problem was the letter failed to define what a “1965 COBRA” was. Cars in the CSX2401-CSX2500 contract were being sent out during that time.


December 23, 1966
“Model Number = Model 1 in the Cobra series indicates the Cobra 289, produced from 1963 to 1965. Car serial numbers are as follows:


1963 - Before CSX-2150
1964 - CSX-2150 to CSX 2308
1965 - CSX-2309 to CSX 2589”


But the next line read, “All these cars use the 289 C.I.D. engine.”, which we know was not true.