Vehicle Description
Vehicle to be offered for Auction sale January 19th - 22nd, 2017 at Russo and Steele's 17th Annual Scottsdale Arizona Auction at the Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Please contact us for more information.
Without doubt, Carroll Shelby's thundering AC Ace-based Cobra remains the single most important American performance icon of the 20th Century. The spearhead that vaulted Ford Motor Company's all-out "Total Performance" corporate racing program onto the international stage during the early 1960s, the Cobra was a crucial step in Ford's eventual dominance over archrival Ferrari. Even by today's jaded standards, the 427 Cobra's explosive performance continues to surpass most modern supercars, while its driving experience remains a sensory overload that simply must be experienced by anyone claiming to be a true sports-car enthusiast.
This top-notch Cobra replica is a fitting tribute to the original, featuring a powder-coated frame, suspension, and competition Cobra body by the respected Unique Motorcars of Gadsden, Alabama. Finished with the presence and livery of a period Shelby American team car, this Cobra is ready for vintage racing with its full safety equipment and also capable of street driving with both California certification and Arizona street licensing. Awesome power is delivered by a Ford 'FE' 427 "Side Oiler" block (casting date November 17, 1962) stroked to 460 cubic inches. Mileage is just less than 6,000 miles. Engine was rebuilt by Loper's of Phoenix. Breathing through a 1,000-CFM K & N air filter and 850 CFM Holley carb with manual choke on an Edelbrock medium-riser manifold, the 427 develops 557 dyno-tested horsepower (412 hp RWHP) with 521 pound-feet torque. Casting on the block indicates "66-427" with "P" for Police Interceptor. 2" brass freeze plugs and 4-bolt main bearings.
Outstanding support systems include dual inside and outside cooling fans, race-ready oil and water overflow tanks, Mallory Hyfire IVc ignition system with rev limiter, a "Fuel Safe" foam-filled fuel cell, and Aeromotive electric fuel pump. Delivering the power to the pavement is a Tremec 5-speed transmission with a new clutch and throwout bearing, driving a Jaguar IRS unit equipped with a Salisbury limited-slip differential with 3.56:1 ring and pinion. Underpinnings are equally stout, including tubular upper and lower A-arms, fully adjustable coilover shocks (single front/dual rear) and 4-wheel Wilwood disc brakes (inboard rear). The cockpit includes Kirkey racing seats (new Nov 2011), Simpson 5-point racing harnesses (new Nov 2011) a full 7-instrument Stewart-Warner gauge package, a quick-release steering wheel, onboard Halon fire suppression system (cockpit, engine, trunk), and a NASA-approved roll bar (Nov 2011). Other highlights include a racing windscreen (Nov 2011), full tonneau cover, dual outside and inside mirrors, spun-aluminum headlight covers for track use, front and rear quick-lift bumpers.
A wealth of additional items accompanies the sale of this awesome Cobra, including numerous awards, plaques, and photos, plus photographs and autographs of Carroll Shelby. Various spare parts, catalogs, and documents also go with the car, as well as a Go Pro camera setup for video taping under racing conditions. . While the Cobra is vintage race-ready for track use and complete with tech inspection sticker, it has not been raced since the engine was rebuilt. Equally ready for street driving, it is titled in Arizona as a "1966 Shelby Cobra Special Constructed Roadster." Riding on newer Cooper Cobra high-performance radial tires and period-type Halibrand knockoff wheels with spinners, this Cobra roadster is a very well-prepared package that stands ready to deliver an incredible experience on the street and the track!
