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Combining the power of Ford's short-stroke V8 with the nibleness of AC's sporting chassis, the Cobra was the first largely successful English-American hybrid. The whole project was motivated by legendary driver Carol Shelby, who refined and raced the car with funds from Ford.

In what some have called a desperate move, AC Cars accepted a deal to modify their Ace chassis to accept Ford's V8 engine. They shipped bare chassis to Shelby American where they were initially fitted Ford's 260 cu in. engine. The V8 worked well within the spacious engine bay, so much so, Shelby moved to the 289 unit in 1964, and the massive 427 with a new, stronger chassis in 1965.

Since development was relatively simple, the Cobra started winning races from its onset. It had a tremendously good power to weight ratio that bettered with both the 289 and 427 engines. In a short time, the Cobra built up an impressive racing record and a purposeful 427 Coupe won the GT Championship in 1964 and placed fourth at Le Mans in the same year.

Due to the early success of the Cobra, Ford was happy to continue development of their engines and pursue new interests. This lead to GT40, a super low racecar developed in both Britain and USA that upset Ferrari's dominance in a major way.

The definitive version of the Cobra (and some would argue the Ace as well) was the Cobra 427 S/C. These were full-on competition spec cars that were unable to race due to homologation problems. Shelby sold around 30 of these cars which became America's most capable and expensive road-going cars.

Specification listed is for the 1964 Cobra 289.

Story by Richard Owen for Supercars.net

Chassis & Sales

1965 Shelby 289 Cobra CSX2485 - sold for $605,000 The 289 Cobra offered (CSX2485) here was shipped new to the United States aboard the SS Loch Avon in July 1964. Finished in white with a black interior, it was invoiced to George Briggs Motors of Defiance, Ohio with a Class “A” accessory package. As presented, CSX 2485 displays a lovely patina, representative of its storied and well-documented history. It should be noted that its updated history has been incorporated into the database of th... more
Gallery: 2008 Monterey Preview

1964 AC Cobra 289 MKII COX6001 - sold for €423,222 This superbly efficient Cobra, with the first chassis export number, was delivered new to Chardonnet in France, and shown at the Paris Motor Show the same year. Its first owner was Mr Leman. It was subsequently with Mr Afchain, who had it fully restored in his workshops. It must have had another owner in the meantime. Mr Afchain consigned it for auction with Poulain-Le Fur in December 1992, when it was bought by its current owner. The mecha... more
Gallery: 2010 Artcurial Sport & GTs au Mans Classic

1964 Shelby Cobra USRRC Roadster CSX2557 - sold for $1,595,000 Ex-Shelby Team car. One of only six USRRC cars built. One of the most original and unmolested of all the famed Shelby Cobra 289 race cars. One of only two of the USRRC Cobras completed with dual side pipes on each side of the car, it was entered in the season-ending FIA race, the Bridgehampton Double 500 in September 1964. Driven there by Charlie Hayes, it failed to finish when a carburetor drain plug worked loose, dumping its fuel on the trac... more
Gallery: RM Auctions' 2010 Sports & Classics of Monterey

964 Shelby 289 Cobra CSX2289 - sold for $610,500 CSX 2289 was sent to Shelby American in January 1964. This rack-and-pinion car was just one of 22 to be finished with this striking bright blue exterior over red leather. The car, however, remained with Shelby for just over a year in service as a company demonstrator. CSX 2289 was used in various promotional capacities that included running demonstration laps at Southern California’s Riverside Raceway. After more than three decades in hidi... more
Gallery: 2011 Scottsdale Auction by Gooding & Company

1962 AC Cobra CSX2025 - did not sell for $400,000 The 1962 Paris and London Show Car. Noteworthy European Motor-Show History. Originally Finished in Steel Grey over Blue. Interesting SCCA Racing Pedigree. A One-Owner Car for the Past 35 Years. Retains Many Early-Production Features. Offered with Weather Equipment and Extensive History File. Documented by the World Registry of Cobras & GT40s. Very Honest and Genuine Example of the Early Cobra.
Gallery: 2011 Amelia Island Auction by Gooding & Company

1965 Shelby 289 Cobra CSX2485 - did not sell for $425,000 As presented, CSX 2485 displays a lovely patina, representative of its storied and well-known history. Moreover, the car is still equipped with its original soft-top, Smiths heater and Stewart Warner gauges, among many other original features. While the engine block is not original to the car, it is identical to the original, including the correct date codes, and is fitted with the original intake manifold, valve covers and oil pan. For a per... more
Gallery: 2011 Amelia Island Auction by RM Auctions

1963 Shelby Cobra CSX2096 - sold for $490,000 The Shelby Demonstrator. Kept by Shelby as a demo for 15 months. Finished with Group A accessories. Chrome knock-off wheels. Early Flathead Cobra emblems. Retains early production shifter knob. Documented in the Shelby Registry.
Gallery: 2011 Mecum Indy Spring Classic

1963 Shelby Cobra 289 Factory Team Car CSX2129 - sold for $2,585,000 The Ken Miles and Bob Bondurant Cobra. An Exceptionally Original Factory-Team Car. Superb Racing History with Podium Finishes and Class Wins in FIA, USRRC and SCCA Competition. 2nd Overall at the Bridgehampton FIA Double 500. Displayed by Ford at the 1964 New York World’s Fair. Just One Owner Since 1968. Exceptional Restoration to Period-Correct Presentation. Mostly Original Aluminum Bodywork. One of the Most Significant Competition Cobras.
Gallery: 2011 Pebble Beach Auctions by Gooding & Company

1964 Shelby Cobra 289 Roadster CSX2485 - sold for $440,000 CSX2485 is still equipped with its original soft-top, Smiths heater and Stewart-Warner gauges, among many other original features. While the engine block is not original to the car, it is identical to the original unit, including the correct date codes, and is fitted with the original intake manifold, valve covers and oil pan. The car is currently fitted with period-correct wire-spoke wheels. As offered today, CSX 2485 is an outstanding candid... more
Gallery: 2011 Monterey Auction by RM

1963 Shelby 289 Cobra CSX2197 - did not sell for $540,000 Early 289 Cobra with extensive history. Documented restoration by Cobra expert Bill Kemper. Under 10,000 miles from new, with Class “A” options; MSRP $5,195.
Gallery: 2011 Monterey Auction by RM

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