Having reached the pinnacle of international motorsport as a Le Mans-winning codriver for Aston Martin in 1959, Texan Carroll Shelby soon achieved even greater fame as a constructor with his potent AC Ace-derived, Ford V-8-powered Cobra. The product of a long and challenging early road, the Cobra came about when Britain’s AC, the maker of the renowned Ace, learned of engine supplier Bristol’s pending cancelation of its BMW 328-derived 2.0L engine. Lightweight and proven with countless victories already to its credit, the Ace could, Shelby thought, be even better with an infusion of American V-8 power. To say he succeeded, from relatively humble beginnings, has to be the understatement of the past century. Cobra production commenced with the original leaf-spring chassis supplied by AC in Venice, California, during August of 1962. According to data supplied by the Shelby American Automobile Club (SAAC), Shelby American first built 75 Cobras with Ford 260 V-8 engines, followed by 655 more powered by the larger-displacement 289 High-Performance solid-lifter unit, including 453 street models. Equipped for SCCA and FIA competition, the Cobra almost immediately dominated wherever it competed, creating an instant legend. Celebrating the glorious original 289 Cobras, Shelby American began producing Continuation Cobras in 1996, including the CSX8000-series 289 Cobra Roadster, CSX7000-series 289 FIA Cobra, and CSX6000-series 427 S/C Cobra. Built by Shelby as “rollers” with the powertrain and other specific features determined by the buyer, this CSX8000-series example is numbered CSX8960, and it is the 11th of 50 CSX8000 Series 50th Anniversary Edition Cobras built by Shelby American. The fiberglass body is finished in black over a red leather interior, and of course, power is delivered by a Ford 289 CI V-8 engine, 5-speed manual transmission and Eaton Tru-Trac differential, with stopping power from 4-wheel disc brakes. Other highlights include a Holley 4-barrel carburetor, MSD electronic ignition and long-tube headers, with cooling via an aluminum radiator with electric fan. Stewart-Warner gauges monitor the Cobra’s vital signs. Road contact is provided by a set of 15-inch chrome wire wheels with two-ear knock-off hubs, mounting blackwall radial tires. Chrome bumpers, bumper guards, exhaust tips, wind wings and a fully dressed engine compartment including a “50th Anniversary – 1962-2012” script provide the finishing touches.
