Vehicle Description
1966 Shelby Cobra 427 For Sale- 1 Of Approx. 45 Painted Guardsman
Blue LMC is very proud to offer for sale this 1966 Shelby Cobra 427
While the 289 Cobras were dominating against the Ferraris, Shelby
knew Enzo would build something for the next season that would be
built to beat the Cobra. Shelby had to look ahead to the next
season and build something faster. The 289 Cobra could not be made
any lighter, so he decided to give the car a larger engine. The
first 427 prototype was built on a stiffened 289 chassis, but the
small block's 20-year-old technology could not handle the massive
power coming from the new engine. The 427 featured a thick and
larger 4-inch tube chassis and slightly modified body but, keeping
the original 289 doors, windscreen, hood, and trunk lid. By the
time the 427 came to life, Ford already had a promising sports car
to beat the Ferraris; the GT40. Due to this the only two 427 Cobras
ever raced for the team which was the prototype CSX2196 and CSX
3002. Shelby made many versions of the original CSX 427 Cobras, of
which, only 316 were built in total. There were 50 full Competition
and S/C models combined and 260 street cars built of which, the
first 100 cars came with true 427 engines the next approx. 100 cars
came with 428 engines as a way for Shelby American to cut
production costs.The remaining cars were equipped again with real
427 engines. The 427 Cobra is the ultimate successor to the 289
with a much stiffer chassis and coil over suspension , the 427
cobra is not only fast but a pleasure to drive . "Anything the 289
did poorly, the 427 did well; and anything the 289 did well, the
427 did better". Billed to Shelby American on May 13, 1965 and
subsequently invoiced to Sexton Ford Sales Inc in Moline, Illinois.
It was delivered from the factory painted Guardsman Blue with a
Black interior, one of approximately 45 delivered this way. The
cars first owner was Donald J. Hager of Illinois. Hager retained
the car for 6 years of enjoyment before handing the keys over to
the next proprietor Dan Bennett also from Illinois. By 1974 Bennett
had enjoyed the car and elected put the car up for sale, advertised
just as when new, Guardsman Blue with black interior. Doug
McClellan was the next owner and he decided that after almost a
decade of use, the car could use some freshening; he began what
would become a 4-year long restoration. After completion the car
was sold and headed south to Florida in 1979. By the mid 1980's the
car showed up just a little further north in the state Georgia
before heading to Baton Rouge LA under the ownership of Fred
Buzzell. He retained the car for several years until he sadly
passed away at which time his wife sold the car along with another
289 Cobra, he owned to a name now synonymous with Cobras, Tom
Kirkham. Kirkham began some further restoration work and actually
got so far as advertising the car for sale before electing to keep
it instead. He then used the car to help in designing his now
famous replica Cobras. In 2012, this 427 was restored back to
original specs by the craftsman here at LMC, well versed in the
special processes required in Cobra restoration. During this
process it became more than clear that the car was an excellent
example, with a original damage free chassis and a very original
body something that cannot be said for many 427 cobras .Over the
last few years the car has been taken care of by an astute
collector from Florida who has shown the car and some prestigious
concourses including the 2016 Quail Motorsports Gathering and has
driven it regularly , so it is a truly great running and driving
car as well. The Blue/Black 427 cobra is nicely restored and ready
to be delivered to its next owner just the way it was delivered to
its first owner in 1965. Its clean look without side pipes, roll
bar or hood scoop is as subtle as a Cobra can be, while still
retaining the unmistakable sound and look of an original 427 Cobra.
A truly excellent example of what was arguably one of Carroll
Shelby's greatest triumphs, the Big Block 427 Street Cobra.
Additional Details: 1966 SHELBY 427 COBRA -
