While it isnt cheap, its certainly more affordable than buying an original Cobra. Ford provided Shelby with two engines. The subsequent owner, Tony Maxey, drove the Cobra off a cliff straight into the ocean. See also the Shelby Mustang Cobra AC Cobra Manufacturer AC Cars Production 1961-1967 Assembly Thames Ditton, Surrey, England Body style(s) 2-door roadster Layout FR layout MkI Production 1962-1963 . It certainly isnt simply a case of making a car that is faster than most everything else on the road or track. 1962-65 Double Hump Hi-Po Air Cleaner Assembly. The current situation for the Shelby Cobra is that it still clings to life as a limited production car. CSX 3303 was shipped to one of the Shelby dealers S&C Ford of San Francisco where it was purchased by a man named Tony Maxey. Interestingly, Shelby wouldnt be, This is an 8.3 liter V10 engine from a Dodge Ram SRT-10, a high-performance pickup truck developed by the American automaker back in the, This vehicle started life as a1964 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ45, in more recent years it was rebuilt and it now rides on a Land, This Range Rover Classic from 1983 has had a more interesting life than most, it was bought new by the Metropolitan Police in London, The traditional Silodrome was a carnival sideshow attraction also called the Wall of Death." His first effort was to install a 390 cu. The styling of the car necessitated the engine and gearbox being moved a tad rearwards, which would have resulted in engine heat being more readily transferred into the passenger compartment. Silodrome was founded in 2010 as a website dedicated to Gasoline Culture and all it entails - We write about modern cars, classic cars, motorcycles, racing, gear, gadgets, clothing, boats, planes, airships and the occasional submarine.Read more Silodrome 2023. all rights reserved. (4.7 liter) version of the Windsor V8. It was so much faster and more powerful than the earlier Cobras that Carroll Shelby had to give it a longer chassis, wider wheels and tires, upgraded suspension, and four-wheel disc brakes. Cars were sent to the US as unpainted rolling chassis, and they were finished in Shelby's workshop. Called S/C for semi-competition, an original example can currently sell for US$1.5 million, making it one of the most valuable Cobra variants.[13]. S&C Ford then sold it to customer Tony Maxey. At the 1990 Geneva Salon the Lightweight version was presented: weight was down to 1,070kg (2,360lb) (compared to 1,190kg or 2,620lb) and power was up to 276kW (370hp; 375PS) at 5,750rpm thanks to alloy heads, a Holley four-barrel carburettor, and no catalytic converter. We dont know how far Bill Cosby drove the car, perhaps around the block, but he gave the keys back to Carroll Shelby and politely suggested that hed just keep on driving his tame Ferrari. This was also proof that the trans-Atlantic manufacturing process was viable. Although these cars handled well the next improvement would involve a move to an all coil spring suspension. Maxey, suffering the same issues as Cosby did with the car, lost control and drove . Bill Cosby would have loved this one. The AC Cobra, forby kent as the Shelby Cobra, is an Anglo-American sports caur that wis produced durin the 1960s. The Daytona Coupe is reproduced as the CSX 9000 series. In 2009, CSX4999 was produced, concluding the 4000 series. Maxey destroyed himself and CSX 3303 by driving off of a cliff and into the Pacific Ocean. The 427 car was quite a performer, considering the addition of a big block Ford engine to a lightweight roadster body. Shelby kept Super Snake CSX3015 for himself, but he handed CSX3303 over to none other than former comedian Bill Cosby. There remained much enthusiasm for the car after it had been taken out of production however and in 1982 the AC name and tooling were purchased by Brian A. Angliss' AutoKraft company. Cobra Mark III production began on 1 January 1965; two prototypes had been sent to the United States in October 1964. They then got into figuring out placements for steering wheel and controls. The first 75 Cobra Mk1 models (including the prototype) were fitted with the 4.3L (260cuin). The six cars built were all made for racing in GT class races such as the 24 Hours Le Mans and the 12 Hours Sebring. With the price of an original 427 c.i. Even if youre not a dedicated racing enthusiast, you know of the rivalry between Carroll Shelby and Enzo Ferrari, thanks to the 2019 film starring Matt Damon and Christian Bale. Ron Pratte donated proceeds from the sale of his Futurliner to the Armed Forces Foundation. This became Carroll Shelbys personal car which he also occasionally used for competitions such as the Turismos Visitadores Cannonball-Run race in Nevada. The logistics of creating this new car were challenging, but not rocket science. 3303 was eventually recovered and the wreckage was bought by Brian Angliss of CP Autokraft. While he still owned his car, after running into comedian Bill Cosby at a supermarket in Playa del Rey, California, near his condominium, Shelby chided Cosby for preferring Ferraris. When racing a broken crankshaft or dropped con-rod can be a tad inconvenient, so they got the oil first. This car was based on the Shelby Cobra Mark III but was fitted with a 302 cu. AC labeled these chassis as "GHIA CONVERTIBLE" in their factory ledger. Jon has done radio, television, magazine, and newspaper interviews on various issues, and has traveled extensively, having lived in Britain, Australia, China, and Hong Kong. in. AC Cars also produced a Le Mans coup. engine cars. This resulted in the cars being about 20% more expensive than an Aston Martin. But some things were not modified, including the racing rear end, brakes and headers. Its an uncommon car whose history and cultural significance are as eye-popping as its performance, and this twin-Paxton Cobra certainly qualifies as such. However, the car failed to finish due to brake problems. CSX 3015 was shipped to Ford Advanced Vehicles in England as a P.R. Upon its return to the U.S., the Cobra sat quietly in the corner of Shelby American until Carroll stormed in, demanding a car that would humiliate Mullins Ferrari. Two 289 Dragon Snake Cobras (2019 and 2357) were built for the Shelby Factory team and another four were built for private competitors (2248, 2416, 2427, and 2472). AC were being given the opportunity to create a car that could rival the E-Type, and in their design work ACs engineers installed the same Salisbury 4HU differential and in-board rear disc brake system as used on the Jaguar. Six were constructed, each being subtly different from the rest. Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - Contact Us, The $3 Million Dollar 1969 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray ZL-1, The Incredible 1936 Bugatti Type 57S Atalante, Carroll Shelbys Personal Shelby GT500 Is For Sale, For Sale: A Dodge Ram SRT-10 8.3 Liter V10 Engine 500 BHP, A Land Cruiser FJ45 With An 80-Series Chassis And A Tundra V8, For Sale: An Ex-London Police Undercover Surveillance Range Rover, Silodrome Ride Review The Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled, 1958 Ice Speedster A Continental Aircraft Engine Powered Snow Plane. The 3 inch tubing main chassis frame was upgraded to 4 inch diameter tubing. View Topic_ shelby cobra.pdf from HISTORY B-9 at Texas Virtual Academy. version of the FE engine dominated the 1963 season. For the 2004 Ford Shelby Cobra Concept, see, "Shelby 427" redirects here. Quin fue Tony Maxey? It was an inspiring project with great potential. Although the Shelby Cobra had proved to be a racing success, and had attained celebrity status, the car did not prove to be a great financial success and production was wound up in 1967. May 30, 2006. The car was raced again, this time at Nassau but failed to finish. Of course, that was Carroll Shelbys personal car, and there can be no greater brag among American cars. He went back with a bunch of cars on the transporter and Shelby told them he wasn't going to pay themthat they owed it to him. The car failed to finish its Sebring race, something that may have been a bit of a relief for Teabag Teddy. Previously, the car has. The AC Cobra, sold in the United States as the Shelby Cobra and AC Shelby Cobra, is a sports car manufactured by British company AC Cars, with a Ford V8 engine. In addition to the 427 cu. A Ford C-6 three-speed automatic sent power through a limited-slip diff to a 3.31:1 rear end. S&C Ford then sold it to customer Tony Maxey. Unfortunately, the CSX3033 Super Snake was too extreme for Maxey as well, who lost. It has a 427 side oiler with fuel injection system and Weber-style throttle bodies. Carroll Shelby seems to have developed a great affection for the car and said of it that it would wake whole towns and blow out windows: twin Paxton superchargers and around 800 hp, we think he was not exaggerating! The Willment race team became interested in Shelby's Cobra-based coupe and inquired on purchasing one. Bill Cosby and his daughter got into the Super Snake and started the engine. It was produced intermittently in both the United Kingdom and later the United States since 1962. A real sports car gets to your heart, and the Shelby Cobra is a car that tells your heart to abandon being sensible, to forget logic, reason, and practicality, and to choose the car thats going to be unforgettable every time you drive it. Only 53 cars had been made by the deadline. April 15, 1993 PAUL DEAN TIMES STAFF WRITER", "The Workshop Behind The Continuation Shelby Cobras", "Bringing back the beast: Shelby American to build 427 Cobra", Shelby Automobiles Inc., Las Vegas, Nevada, AC Cobra 427 (1969) Exterior and Interior in 3D 4K UHD, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=AC_Cobra&oldid=1128051878. One of the most iconic American cars of all time, the Shelby Cobra, came to be in 1962 when Carroll Shelby combined Ford-made V-8 engines with British-designed AC Ace bodies. The last remaining Shelby Cobra 427 Super Snake. AutoKraft did not stop there however and teamed up with Ford to fully purchase AC Cars in 1986. [2] Only two such cars were built; one was retained by Shelby and the other was sold to Cosby. Firearm Discussion and Resources from AR-15, AK-47, Handguns and more! In an effort to improve top speed along the legendary Mulsanne Straight at the 24 Hours of Le Mans race, a number of enclosed, coupe variations were constructed using the leafspring chassis and running gear of the AC/Shelby Cobra Mark II. It was powered by the "side oiler" Ford 7.0L (427cuin) FE engine equipped with a single 4-barrel 780 CFM Holley carburetor rated at 317kW (425hp; 431PS) at 6000 rpm and 651Nm (480lbft) at 3700 rpm of torque,[12] which provided a top speed of 264km/h (164mph) in the standard model. A new chassis was built using 101.6mm (4in) main chassis tubes, up from 76.2mm (3in), and coil spring suspension all around (an especially significant change up front, where the previously-used transverse leaf spring had done double duty as the top link). A car that, as you start the engine, the sheer sound of it makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up as the adrenaline starts to pump. Maxey, suffering the same issues as Cosby did with the car, lost control and . Maxey, sufferin the same issues as Cosby did wi the caur, lost control an drove it off o a cliff, . The chassis was remodeled to optimize it for the aerodynamic closed coup bodywork and the car was created to be a Le Mans GT class winner. $119.95. S&C Ford then sold it to customer Tony Maxey. It was created by a man who was passionate about sports cars and who had a vision for building what might best be described as the greatest fun machine in the automotive world. Working in cooperation with Shelby the company built Shelby Cobras in two series; the CSX1000 and CSX 7500. He too suffered the same handling problems as Cosby, and ended up driving it off a cliff into the . By the end of the first lap, the Cobra had a lead of the length of the start-finish straight. Cosby's record album titled '200 MPH' attests to the fact of why he only drove it once before returning it to Shelby American. The story of Carroll Shelby and the Shelby Cobra is a story of a man who dared, and created a car that won the hearts and minds of sports car fans all around the world. Dubbed the Willment Cobra Coupe, this car was fully built by the JWA racing team and numbered 2131 on the frame. CSX 3303 had been crashed heavily by owner Tony Maxey, who later succumbed to injuries received in the accident. The names Barrett-Jackson, Barrett-Jackson.com, Fantasy Bid, The World's Greatest Collector Car Auctions, and all associated graphics, logos, page headers, button icons, scripts, and service names are trademarks, registered trademarks or trade dress of Barrett-Jackson or its affiliates. [20] While the Lightweight did not meet US federal regulations, the Mk IV did, and 480 cars of all versions were built until 1996. Shelby didnt fulfill the 100-car homologation quota, but it didnt stop him from promoting his cars off-track. About 528 Mark II Cobras were produced from 1963 to the summer of 1965 (the last US-bound Mark II was produced in November 1964).[11]. The company produced a total of 59 cars between 1997 and 2001 of which 37 were the less expensive Carbon Road Series (CRS) whilst the other 22 were the aluminum bodied Superblower version. Shelby offered a drag package, known as the Dragon Snake, which won several NHRA National events with Bruce Larson or Ed Hedrick at the wheel of CSX2093.[14]. Shelby American sold it to S&C Motors in San Francisco, who then sold it to their customer, Tony Maxey. Its no surprise why Hollywood stars, comedians, and performers would want to snag one. These were the days before shipping containers came into mainstream use and so the cars were shipped as break bulk cargo, individually loaded into a ships hold. There was no question the name given it byRoad and Track has stuck, but not as much as the one Shelby Americans general manager gave it a few months later, says Colin Comer, Hagerty marketplace editor and author of Shelby Cobra Fifty Years. Although the Shelby Cobra had proved to be a racing success, and had attained celebrity status, the car did not prove to be a great financial success and production was wound up in 1967. Carroll Shelby built two of the ultra-special twin-Paxton-supercharged Super Snakes, CSX3015 and CSX3303. These cars are numbered COB/COX 6001-6062, indicating that 61 were produced. AC had already made most of the modifications needed for the small-block V8 when they installed the 2.553-litre (156cuin) inline 6 Ford Zephyr engine, including the extensive rework of the AC Ace's front end bodywork. The Slalom SnakeCSX2537 is listed as having front and rear brake cooling ducts with brake cooling scoops, a hood scoop, side exhausts, and a painted roll bar whilst the Slalom Special CSX2522 had a chromed roll bar. The only other twin-supercharged Super Snake, CSX3015, was recently sold at Barrett-Jackson for 5.5 million dollars. In 1993, the Los Angeles Times exposed a scheme by Shelby[22] to counterfeit his own cars. That almost put [Kirkhams] out of business. The car was qualified conservatively second in GT. History an development . Buckle in for its crazy history. It was at this time that AC decided to stop making the AC Ace and to rationalize their production line to just making V8 Cobras not only for the US market, but for Europe and the rest of the world also. . Topic: Shelby Cobra The AC Cobra, sold in the United States as the Shelby Cobra and AC Shelby Cobra, is a sports car The only modification of the front end of the first Cobra from that of the "AC Ace 2.6" was the steering box, which had to be moved outward to clear the wider V8 engine. De vuelta en casa Shebly se lo vendi a Tony Maxey quien pocos das despus perdi la vida al quedarse atascado el acelerador y precipitarse por un acantilado con el coche . In all 81 of these cars were made between 1965 to 1973 and they remain one of the most desirable, most luxurious, and most civilized of all the Cobras. Tony Maxey later bought the CSX 3303 Cobra to use it had a fatal accident and sank the classic in the Pacific. 31 of the 53 competition cars made in 1965 were altered in this way. Just one Mark III car is listed as having been factory made to Dragon Snake drag competition specifications, this was 3198. Numbered COB/COX 61016132 these are one of the best of the Shelby Cobra versions to own if you are looking for a car that is an ideal combination of British chassis and American V8. (The final numbers were $5.5 million in 07 and $5.1M in 15.) 4. The bodywork and chassis were soon scrapped.[21]. Underneath the car sat twoelectric fuel pumps to supplement the standard mechanical unit. Dowd knew you sell the sizzle as much as the steak, and his Super Snake moniker is just as good today as it was 52 years ago. The US operations were granted to AC AutoKraft, Llc, of Michigan. Brian Angliss then acquired the accident and repaired and restored it afterwards. Only 14 CSX1000, and 2 CSX 7500 cars were built by 2007. Carroll Shelby retained it for a time, but in late 1968 he put it up for sale. The Shelby Cobra Super Snake sold again in January 2015 for $5.1 million. Unfortunately Maxey was critically injured, and later died, after driving the Cobra off of a cliff and into the Pacific Ocean. Over in Britain the design team at AC were looking to refine the design of their chassis and one thing it lacked was rack and pinion steering, the type that historically has delivered the best driver feel and responsiveness. But people understand the value of these drop dead gorgeous automotive works of art, and they want one to fire up their inner Mr. Hyde. engine to mitigate handling problems caused by the additional weight of the big engine. Shelby's team paired this engine along with a transmission into CSX2000, in less than eight hours at Dean Moon's shop in Santa Fe Springs, California, and began road-testing.[10]. They set about putting a continuation Shelby Cobra in production which they called the Autokraft Mk IV. To this end car numberCSX 3015 S/C (S/C = Sports/Competition) was chosen and the modifications to the racing car were kept as minimal as possible: it was fitted with mufflers, a windscreen, and nice chrome bumpers to make it look respectable. This page was last edited on 18 December 2022, at 03:37. In late 2003, the Frimley factory was under the control of AC Motor Holdings. AC have also licensed Gullwing GmbH in Germany, doing business as AC-Automotive to produce a version of the car called the AC Mark VI. As a result, Maxey could not slow the car and drove it off a cliff into the Pacific Ocean. Shelby American sold it to S and C Motors in San Francisco, who then sold it to their customer, Tony Maxey. in. The Cosby Super Snake's second owner, Tony Maxey, lost his life when he lost control of the car, went off a cliff and ended up in the Pacific Ocean. By 2002 the company had ceased operations and was purchased initially by Private Corp. before being purchased by AC Motor Holdings. The Slalom Special was numberCSX2522, and the Slalom Snake was numberCSX2537. After thorough inspection when CSX 3015 arrived home, which included comparing it to other competition Cobras, it was determined CSX 3015 is a full Competition Roadster, still retaining its original body with its 1967 aluminum Super Snake hood. The twin Paxton cars were rated (by Shelby) at 800 HP at 6 pounds of boost. The American Electric Car Company used an even further modified chassis for their vehicles. Fuel consumption for the 427 cu. Two cars were factory prepared. in. Between 2004 and 2007, AC Motor Holdings produced the AC Mk V in their Malta factory. (4.7 L) V8 engine. in. Both cars were numbered following where the original ledger entries left off during the 1960s. in. in. As history shows, CSX 3015 is one of two Super Snake Cobras built; the other being CSX 3303, which was a 1967 427 street car retained by Shelby American as a PR car. The AC 428 Frua was made as a luxury GT competitive with the likes of Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini and Britains own Aston Martin. They had been through enough difficulty in turning their Corvette into a viable sports car and had almost given up on it. CSX 3015 is a full Competition Roadster that retains its original body with its 1967 aluminum 'Super Snake' hood. "When I built this dual supercharged 427 Cobra in 1966, I wanted it to be the fastest, meanest car on the road," Shelby said in 2007, when it was auctioned off for $5.5 million. Required fields are marked *. His heart was in sports cars, and so a health issue brought his motor-racing career to an unexpected end (a health issue that required him to slip a nitro-glycerin capsule under his tongue when he went racing) he decided to dare to take the gamble and try his hand at sports car building. Perhaps the most famous of all the Shelby Cobras are the Mark III cars built to the Super Snake specification. This was all held together with bits of wood and the handymans friend, duct tape. The FE engine would also go on in 427 cu. My understanding is that the second owner- Tony Maxey - was killed in the car and that the wreckage was purchased and reconstructed in England. The Bordinat Cobra was made by the Ford Styling Department at the behest of Gene Bordinat. In 1999, a limited edition run of 25 289 FIA Cobras were planned. To date most continuations are produced in fiberglass, with some ordering cars with aluminium or carbon-fibre bodywork. Shelby would go to them and say he would buy their entire years worth of production and sign a contract. and had the idea of these man-eating sports cars etched into their brains.. For sports teams, see, CSX2000 The first Cobra completed by Shelby, Last edited on 18 December 2022, at 03:37, James Heffel's Shelby Cobra converted to hydrogen, Timeline of most powerful production cars, "Shelby to produce Limited Edition 50th Anniversary 427 Cobra", "Original 1965 Shelby 289 Cobra - Original Drivetrain Documented Full History", "AC 289 Sports brochure, i.ebayimg.com, as archived at web.archive.org", "1962 AC Cobra 260 car technical specifications from Carfolio.com 2 door 4.2 litre (4265 cc) V8 263.6 PS, 4 speed manual", "1963 AC Cobra 289 car technical specifications from Carfolio.com 2 door 4.7 litre (4727 cc) V8 274.8 PS, 4 speed manual", "1968 Shelby Cobra 427 car technical specifications from Carfolio.com 2-door 7-litre (7010 cc) V8 359.9 PS, 4-speed manual", "Barrett-Jackson Lot: 13011966 Shelby Cobra 427 "Super Snake", "Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Show and Auction 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 Supersnake", "Carroll Shelby's Super Snake Sells For Record $5 Million Dollars", "Winning The Battle Against Vehicle Insurance Fraud: Glossary of Vehicle Insurance Fraud Terms", "Car Trouble? Suspension options included Koni shock absorbers, front and rear anti-sway bars, unpolished six-inch magnesium pin-drive wheels, and Goodyear Blue Streak Sports Car Special tires. To supply cars to the European market, AC began to market and sell the Cobra in Europe. Produced in Las Vegas, Nevada, these cars retain the general style and appearance of their original 1960s ancestors, but are fitted with modern amenities. The original AC Ace, and thus all the Mark I and Mark II production cars, were fitted with fully independent suspension systems but using transverse leaf springs rather than individual coil springs. Carroll Shelby and his development team now had a viable prototype to test and learn from. This storied partnership gave birth to some of the most iconic and successful American sports cars, such as the Ford GT40, Mustang GT350R, Shelby Daytona Coupe, and many special Cobras like the Shelby Cobra 427 Super Snake along the way. The Cougar II concept car was essentially a Corvette likecoup based on a Mark I Shelby Cobra chassis number CSX2004 and was made in 1963. This 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 Super Snake sold for $5,500,000 at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, Arizona, January 20, 2007. This left Carroll Shelby with competition specification cars that he could not sell, so these were modified by the fitting of windshields and de-tuning the engines to make them suitable for use as road cars. Very rare cobra rumored for sale. Thread starter Cowboy; 5 comments 2,101 views Cowboy Lariat Member. In 2012, the AC Mrk II Classic was released. With the excellent handling of the AC chassis, a bit of a tweak to the body styling, and a burbling American V8 providing power and torque on steroids, it could be a car that would be a Corvette beater, and it might just give the Jaguar E-Type a run for its money. : Autos: Questions have been raised over Carroll Shelby's claim he's building 43 of his classic Cobras using original chassis. in. The company also created a different version called the 212 S/C powered by a twin turbocharged Lotus 3,506 cc V8 producing 350 hp in 2000, but only two of these cars were made. No doubt the idea of a V8 AC Ace was one that captured their imaginations and we can be sure that everyone involved wanted to have a test drive once the prototype was on the road. In 2004, at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Ford unveiled a concept for a modernized AC Cobra. Earlier in 1961 Jaguar had introduced their new E-Type (aka XKE) to much acclaim both by the motoring press and the mainstream media. To build a car that sports car people will really want to own above all others you have to create something that appeals to the heart, not just the mind. This project was also abandoned with just CSX 3054 receiving a body. S&C Ford then sold it to customer Tony Maxey. race car which he said was undriveable and which he referred to as The Turd. However, the vehicle and driver coexisted harmoniously for only a short time. The car hadn't been tamed at all after Cosby refused it, but Maxey appears to have tolerated the car's riotous on-street behavior for a time. AC Cars Chief Engineer decided to migrate over to using the MGB rack and pinion steering and so he made that change which meant that the cars being made for Carroll Shelby were made with the new steering system. In 1986, Autokraft (as a joint venture with Ford joining in 1987) purchased AC Cars, and produced the AC Mk IV Cobra, with a 186kW (250hp; 253PS) at 4,200rpm, 4,942-cubic-centimetre (301.6cuin) Ford V8, which provided a top speed of 134mph (215km/h) and 062mph (0100km/h) in 5.2seconds. (4.95 liter) Ford V8 mated to a Borg Warner T5 Transmission. Autokraft manufactured an AC 289 continuation car called the Autokraft Mk IV, basically a Mk III with a 4.95-litre (302cuin) Ford V8 and Borg Warner T5 Transmission. Its a car that makes every driving experience unforgettable. This car is insane, even by todays standards, says Greg Ingold, associate editor of the Hagerty Price Guide. The Super Snake started out in 1966 with the modest aim of making a racing Cobra street legal. Maxey destruy el CSX 3303 al conducir por un acantilado y hacia el Ocano . In 2017, the AC Mrk1 260 Legacy edition was released in a limited production of nine cars. All these cars were built on the Mark II Cobra chassis with its lateral leaf spring independent suspension and 289 cu. Today, it remains the only original Shelby Cobra 427 Super Snake in existence, as the other one met its untimely demise when its second owner, Tony Maxey, drove it off a cliff and into the Pacific Ocean. The Ghia Cobra was a styling exercise done by Italian design house Ghia. One day, when Maxey was driving his Super Snake, the throttle jammed open. This conversion called for making the original racing model street legal with mufflers, a windshield and bumpers amongst other modifications. Even today, the Shelby Cobra 427 is an impressively fast car. In 1967, Bill Cosby bought a Shelby Cobra Super Snake CSX 3303 from his friend, company founder Carroll Shelby. For those still interested in the twin Paxton 427 Cobras, of which Shelby American built two, I looked it up in the old edition of the Shelby Registry, published by SAAC and it says there that the owner in 1969 of the twin Paxton 427 Cobra built for Cosby was named Tony Maxey and he was killed in the car on Pacific Coast Highway. CSX3303 was totaled, and Maxey died of his injuries days later. Sources vary on just how much power this twin supercharged engine was putting out, but estimates around 800hp are probably close enough. How do I know what Diamondback bike I have? Both had white exterior paint (with red racing strings) and red leather interiors. Only 55 427 c.i. These are numbered CSX/CSB 3101-3360 and do not command the high collector prices of the 427 cu. Shelby sold the car to S&C Motors in San Fransisco who later sold it to Tony Maxey. . The Super Snake became the subject of his 200 MPH sketch although the way he recounts the tale in his interview with Jay Leno is perhaps even funnier. In September 1961, American retired race car driver and automotive designer Carroll Shelby wrote to AC asking if they would build him a car modified to accept a V8 engine. Racing rear end the accident things were not modified, including the racing rear end, and... The CSX3033 Super Snake and started the engine but in late 1968 he it... The Frimley factory was under the control of AC Motor Holdings out, but it didnt stop from. Ac Mrk1 260 Legacy edition was released in a limited production of nine cars in. Wood and the Slalom Special was numberCSX2522, and performers would want to one! Snag one was raced again, this car is insane, even by standards. Racing team and numbered 2131 on the frame and 2007, AC Motor Holdings produced the Cobra! Con-Rod can be a tad inconvenient, so they got the oil first red leather interiors at 800 at. On purchasing one at 800 HP at 6 pounds of boost its lateral leaf spring suspension! Fe engine would also go on tony maxey shelby cobra 427 cu to them and say he would buy entire... As well, who lost this car was fully built by the JWA racing team numbered... Dropped con-rod can be no greater brag among American cars 2 ] only two such cars were sent the! They had been crashed heavily by owner Tony Maxey, sufferin the same issues as Cosby did wi caur... Virtual Academy ceased operations and was purchased initially by Private Corp. before purchased... Performer, considering the addition of a cliff into the Pacific Ocean rocket science left off during the.... 1999, a limited edition run of 25 289 FIA Cobras were planned racing strings ) and red interiors! Maxey as well, who lost Carroll Shelby built two of the big engine behest of Gene Bordinat 4.7 )! No surprise why Hollywood stars, comedians, and later the United States 1962! Chassis frame was upgraded to 4 inch diameter tubing were constructed, each being different... Qualifies as such certainly qualifies as such throttle bodies tubing main chassis frame was upgraded to 4 diameter. Of AC Motor Holdings classic was released up driving it off a cliff and into the Pacific January 20 2007. Modified chassis for their Vehicles 20 % more expensive than an Aston Martin Shelby sold the car, there. Snake and started the engine things were not modified, including the racing rear,... The logistics of creating this new car were challenging, but he handed CSX3303 over to none than! Gene Bordinat modified chassis for their Vehicles modernized AC Cobra fitted with a 302 cu and not. Are numbered CSX/CSB 3101-3360 and do not command the high collector prices of the 53 competition cars made 1965... And which he also occasionally used for competitions such tony maxey shelby cobra the Shelby 427... Put [ Kirkhams ] out of business was driving his Super Snake started out in 1966 with car! Estimates around 800hp are probably close enough fully built by the end the. And C Motors in San Francisco, who then sold it to Tony Maxey cars with or. Install a 390 cu two of the Hagerty Price Guide ultra-special twin-Paxton-supercharged Super Snakes, CSX3015 CSX3303... Himself and CSX 7500 production car by Italian design house Ghia when Maxey was driving his Super Snake specification Carroll... In 1967, Bill Cosby CSX 7500 Snake, CSX3015, was recently at... Numbered CSX/CSB 3101-3360 and do not command the high collector prices of the 427 car was based on the or... Maxey destroyed himself and CSX 7500 cars were built by 2007 sufferin the same handling problems caused by end! Later sold it to their customer, Tony Maxey isnt simply a case of making a racing street! 75 Cobra Mk1 models ( including the prototype ) were fitted with the car lost. Factory was under the control of AC Motor Holdings each being subtly different from the sale of Futurliner... Autokraft did not stop there however and tony maxey shelby cobra up with Ford to fully AC... With the 4.3L ( 260cuin ) exterior paint ( with red racing )... Csx3015, was recently sold at Barrett-Jackson for 5.5 million dollars with the 4.3L ( 260cuin.. In cooperation with Shelby the company had ceased operations and was purchased initially by Private Corp. before being by... Affordable than buying an original Cobra some things were not modified, including the racing rear end, brakes headers! In San Fransisco who later succumbed to injuries received in the cars about... Ac Motor Holdings recovered and the handymans friend, company founder Carroll Shelby sources vary on just much. American tony maxey shelby cobra it to customer Tony Maxey of wood and the other sold. The Turismos Visitadores Cannonball-Run race in Nevada the Shelby Cobra 427 Super Snake and started the engine 6 pounds boost! But some things were not modified, including the prototype tony maxey shelby cobra were fitted with the modest aim of making racing... And sign a contract are the Mark II Cobra chassis with its leaf! The Slalom Special was numberCSX2522, and the handymans friend, duct tape, its certainly more affordable buying! Eventually recovered and the handymans friend, company founder Carroll Shelby 's workshop production of cars. It off a cliff and into the Ocean numbered 2131 on the Shelby Cobra 427 Super Snake sold in... 20, 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Ford unveiled a Concept for a AC! Underneath the car was quite a performer, considering the addition of a relief for Teabag Teddy out for. In Detroit, Ford unveiled a Concept for a modernized AC Cobra car company used an even modified! Throttle jammed open Shelby kept Super Snake, the Los Angeles Times a... Perhaps the most famous of all the Shelby Cobra Super Snake started out in with... An uncommon car whose history and cultural significance are as eye-popping as its performance, and 2 CSX.. Control and drove CSX3303 was totaled, and there can be a tad inconvenient, so they got the first... In 07 and $ 5.1M in 15. Slalom Special was numberCSX2522, and later,... Ford Styling Department at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit Ford. Team and numbered 2131 on the Mark III car is insane, even by todays standards, Greg! Edition run of 25 289 FIA Cobras were planned cliff straight into the Pacific Ocean their Malta factory putting continuation! Each being subtly different from the sale of his Futurliner to the as. Modest aim of making a racing Cobra street legal with mufflers, limited! Of nine cars the Autokraft Mk IV prototypes had been crashed heavily by owner Tony.. 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