Shelby Cobra
The AC Cobra birth was a British built and designed sports car that was produced during the 1960s.
AC Cars began with the Bristol straight 6 motor in it 2-seater roadster. In 1961 Bristol dropped the engine from production. AC selected the 2.6 L Ford Zephyr for its cars. Carroll Shelby in 1961 sent a letter to AC to request a car modified to handle a V8 motor. AC like the idea and agreed, if the right motor could be found.
Shelby went first the Chevrolet to get a V8, but they said no for fear of competition for their Corvette. Ford on the other hand was looking for a car to compete with the Corvette was happy to join in the endeavor.
Cobra Mark I was born the first 75 including the prototype were joined with the 260 4.2 L motor. 51 more Mark I models got the fire breather Windsor Ford 289 cu 4.7 L V8. A front end design change by AC’s chief engineer Alan Turner added Rack and Pinion steering with transverse leaf springs. The new Mark II went into production in 1963 with the steering rack from the MGB and the steering column from the VW Beetle. 528 Mark II Cobras came to lift by the summer of 1965.
The new Mark III was designed in cooperation with Ford in Detroit. A whole new chassis was built which featured 4" main chassis tubes (instead of 3") and coil spring suspension all around. The new car also had wide fenders and a larger radiator opening. It was powered by the famed "side oiler" Ford 427 V8 7.0 L breathing 425 bhp and reaching top speeds of 163 mph for the standard model. And in the performance option 485 bhp with a top speed of 180 mph for the competition model.
The production of the Cobra Mark III began on 1 January 1965, two prototypes had been sent to the United States in October of 1964. Cars would be finished in Shelby's workshop. In fact to save cost, most AC Cobra 427's were actually fitted with Ford's 428 in³ (7.0 L) engine, a long stroke, smaller bore, lower cost engine, intended for road use rather than racing. It seems that a total of 300 Mark III cars were sent to Shelby in the USA during the years 1965 and 1966, including the competition version. 31 unsold competition cars were detuned and made road worthy and called S/C for semi-competition. Today, these are the rarest and the most valuable models and can sell for in excess of 1.5 million dollars.
Model collectors love the Mark III Shelby Cobra’s and we have located some of the top models to add to your collections.
 |
 GMP 1 12 Shelby Cobra 289 blue G1202602 diecast model  US $450.00
|
 Shelby Cobra 289 Red 1 12 GMP Diecast Model 1 of 1000 US $419.95
|
 AUTOart 118 Ford Shelby Cobra GT500 Street Black Model US $84.99
|
 Ford Shelby Cobra GR 1 Blue 118 Diecast Model Autoart US $80.70
|
 2005 SHELBY COBRA GT500 CONCEPT LTD 118 AUTO ART MODEL US $79.99
|
 SHELBY COBRA 427 S C SILVER 118 KYOSHO DIECAST MODEL US $79.99
|
 Shelby Cobra 427 S C Silver 118 Diecast Model Kyosho US $79.95
|
 Shelby Cobra 427 S C Blue 118 Kyosho Diecast Model US $79.95
|
 118 Shelby Collectibles 1966 GT 350 Cobra New Model US $69.95
|
 Model Box Italy 8420 AC Shelby Cobra Le Mans 63 Spyder US $59.00
|
 AC Shelby Cobra Mahogany Wood Model Car US $49.99
|
 2007 SHELBY COBRA SVT GT500 ELITE ED 118 DIECAST MODEL US $46.99
|
Back to Site Listing of All Model Cars and Kits!
