Around this time last year, the first Shelby Cobra produced – the first car ever built by Carroll himself – went up on the auction block and fetched a mind-boggling $13.75 million. Chassis number CSX2000 hit a final bid of $12.5 million with auction fees, making it the most expensive American car ever sold at auction thus far (the record was previously held by a 1968 Ford GT40).
With all this commotion about the original AC Moore-bodied, Ford big-blocked roadster, let’s take a look at the history of the Shelby Cobra – is sure is a one-in-a million (or 13) car. In September 1961, American auto designer Carroll Shelby sent a letter to British auto maker AC asking for a rolling chassis, modified to accept an American V8 engine. They said yes, and Carroll began the journey of finding a suitable motor. He spoke with Chevy, who politely declined, wishing to avoid conflict with the Corvette’s sales.
Carroll ended up with a 3.6L, small-block V8, courtesy of Ford. The new motor was specifically designed to compete against the Corvette – how convenient for Carroll. In January 1962, AC’s mechanics across the pond spit out the first prototype Cobra, then called the “AC Ace 3.6”. It also happened to be chassis number CSX2000. Yes, the first Cobra did not sport the iconic big-block 427, but we’ll get to that.
The Cobra’s original motors paled in comparison to the legendary 427
After initial prototype production, the motor’s displacement was increased to 4.3L. Shelby’s team mated this bigger motor with a new transmission, planted it in CSX2000, and began road tests. The Cobra performed admirably and the car became an instant hit. More than 600 models were produced and sold, with the powerplant again getting an upgrade to a 4.7L V8 Windsor, designated the Mk1. In late 1962, AC redesigned the front end of the Cobra to the Mk2, making it more track-ready. Rack and pinion steering was added to make the car capable of taking corners later and tighter.
Eventually, Shelby experimented with a larger Ford FE engine – the 6.4L. Unfortunately for the Cobra, racing driver Ken Miles drove the car and remarked that was a “turd”, virtually un-drivable. The 390-motored Shelby Cobra raced against Grand Sport Corvettes and Ford GTs, failing to finish. It wasn’t until an entirely new chassis was required and developed, designated the Mk3, that the iconic Cobra earned its legendary 427 motor. The new ride boasted coil spring suspension, wider fenders, a bigger radiator opening, and other drivetrain upgrades. Notably, the new chassis was graced with Ford’s “side oiler” 427, a mammoth 7.0L motor rated at 425 bhp. The giant powerplant allowed the tiny Cobra to manage up to 185 mph in the competition configuration – a blistering number for the era.
With a curb weight of approximately 2,355 lbs, the Shelby Cobra continues to hold a title as one of the most weight-to-power efficient vehicles ever produced. Its reputation is difficult to measure, but those dollar amounts up above are a great indicator of just how popular and revered Carroll Shelby’s first creation has become. Even in a day and age where Ford’s own snake division of Mustangs dominates the market, the original Shelby Cobra will always reign as one of the meanest, loudest, and most capable of Ford’s supercars.
