1964 Original Shelby Cobra

[WGAF]

Carroll Shelby conceived the idea of the Cobra sports car, which combined European style with American practicality.

Built by Shelby American Automobile Club - SAAC, chassis CSX2323 was one of five FIA-spec factory team cars that competed in the 1964 World Championship. Dan Gurney & Jerry Grant raced the Cobra in the Targa Florio & finished eighth overall & second in the GT class.

 

[Monkey Man]

Always been one of my dream cars!

I don't know what year / model it was, but one cruised past me while I was walking on the footpath (sidewalk in 'Merican speak) in a back street about a year ago. I can't remember ever having felt the ground shake for me like that near a car. What a friggin' beast it was.

Two dudes enjoying a drive. I'll never forget it. The car was pristine and breathed fire.

 

[WGAF]

Always been one of my dream cars!

I don't know what year / model it was, but one cruised past me while I was walking on the footpath (sidewalk in 'Merican speak) in a back street about a year ago. I can't remember ever having felt the ground shake for me like that near a car. What a friggin' beast it was.

Two dudes enjoying a drive. I'll never forget it. The car was pristine and breathed fire.

Most Cobras in Aus have 302 Windsors in them.

The difference between a 302 & 351 Windsor is not width but height. (A big block Cleveland is way too wide)

If you see a Cobra with a hood cut out it may have a 351 in it otherwise 'generally' a 302.
Yes, I'm fully aware there are 427s in some Cobras but again, 'generally' 302s are the norm in Aus.

A 302 block is the same as a 289 block.

 

[Monkey Man]

Sounded like a Chev to me, so I'm guessing it was a 427, brother.

Like I said, the ground literally shook. Awesome, awesome machine.

 

[Sitedrifter]

in a Shelby it could have been a 428 cobra jet, 429 cobra jet, 302HO. I would personally take the 428 cobra jet.

However, nothing beats a 426 Hemi's thunderous roar. Mopar no no car.

 

[paulyc]

No, Shelby's came with 289s or 427s, that's it.

 

[CornNutz]

Sounded like a Chev to me, so I'm guessing it was a 427, brother.

Like I said, the ground literally shook. Awesome, awesome machine.

Could have been a cobra kit/replica. I've seen them around, I highly suspect they were replicas as I think less than a 1000 real cobras were made.

 

[WGAF]

Sounded like a Chev to me, so I'm guessing it was a 427, brother.

Like I said, the ground literally shook. Awesome, awesome machine.

Could have been a cobra kit/replica. I've seen them around, I highly suspect they were replicas as I think less than a 1000 real cobras were made.

100% correct.

Far more kits ALL over the world today than originals.

 

[Sitedrifter]

No, Shelby's came with 289s or 427s, that's it.

Does it really matter, it was a ford.

 

[WGAF]

No, Shelby's came with 289s or 427s, that's it.

Does it really matter, it was a ford.

Of course it matters.

Engine weight & power ratio to chassis brakes etc etc..

Too much torque can twist chassis, suspension, steering & struts are affected.

One must build in harmony from radiator to diff to get it right for the chosen combination.

 

[Sitedrifter]

No, Shelby's came with 289s or 427s, that's it.

Does it really matter, it was a ford.

J/K

While I am partial to Mopar, Ford Muscle rocks!

 

[WGAF]

No, Shelby's came with 289s or 427s, that's it.

Does it really matter, it was a ford.

J/K

While I am partial to Mopar, Ford Muscle rocks!

Mopar is pure muscle & force without any real refinement. I love a Mopar myself but of course there is more to a car than JUST the engine as most know.

 

[Sitedrifter]

No, Shelby's came with 289s or 427s, that's it.

Does it really matter, it was a ford.

J/K

While I am partial to Mopar, Ford Muscle rocks!

Mopar is pure muscle & force without any real refinement. I love a Mopar myself but of course there is more to a car than JUST the engine as most know.

Well then the real pony car that dominated road tracks back in the 60s was the Yenko 302 Camaro. What a screaming beast and what a track car.

 

[paulyc]

No, Shelby's came with 289s or 427s, that's it.

Does it really matter, it was a ford.

Of course it matters.

Engine weight & power ratio to chassis brakes etc etc..

Too much torque can twist chassis, suspension, steering & struts are affected.

One must build in harmony from radiator to diff to get it right for the chosen combination.

By that measure the 427 Cobra was a POS. The 289 was decent.

 

[JackTripper]

I was at the Shelby shop about 5 years ago. It was like being in a candy store.

 

[WGAF]

No, Shelby's came with 289s or 427s, that's it.

Does it really matter, it was a ford.

Of course it matters.

Engine weight & power ratio to chassis brakes etc etc..

Too much torque can twist chassis, suspension, steering & struts are affected.

One must build in harmony from radiator to diff to get it right for the chosen combination.

By that measure the 427 Cobra was a POS. The 289 was decent.

289s around town are fantastic. High speed long distance yes, the 427.

 

[WGAF]

I was at the Shelby shop about 5 years ago. It was like being in a candy store.

Thanks for the share, the pics look great.

 

[Monkey Man]

Sounded like a Chev to me, so I'm guessing it was a 427, brother.

Like I said, the ground literally shook. Awesome, awesome machine.

Could have been a cobra kit/replica. I've seen them around, I highly suspect they were replicas as I think less than a 1000 real cobras were made.

100% correct.

Far more kits ALL over the world today than originals.

Ahh... thanks guys.

The dudes looked like a well-heeled gay couple but I didn't say so 'cause it wasn't relevant. It might be now 'though 'cause they looked like they were rolling in it big-time. So, could've been a fake or a souped-up original.

I'll never forget the experience 'though; 'twas a thing of beauty all-'round.

 

[WGAF]

Sounded like a Chev to me, so I'm guessing it was a 427, brother.

Like I said, the ground literally shook. Awesome, awesome machine.

Could have been a cobra kit/replica. I've seen them around, I highly suspect they were replicas as I think less than a 1000 real cobras were made.

100% correct.

Far more kits ALL over the world today than originals.

Ahh... thanks guys.

The dudes looked like a well-heeled gay couple but I didn't say so 'cause it wasn't relevant. It might be now 'though 'cause they looked like they were rolling in it big-time. So, could've been a fake or a souped-up original.

I'll never forget the experience 'though; 'twas a thing of beauty all-'round.

Well, what we do know now is the engine didn't have a blower on it as the blower was sitting next to his darling in the passenger seat.

Did you by chance hear the name of the passenger, the name wasn't Stanz, SiteClown OR CharvelDan was it?

 

[Monkey Man]

I think I might've heard something along the lines of, "Stanz, SiteClown, CharvelDan, honey, suck and blow harder, you bitch!"

Can't be 100% sure 'though 'cause the ground was shakin' with the combined noise of a 427 Chev and the Hoover action...