Car Of The Day: 1964 Shelby Cobra 289

Combining the power of Fordโ€™s short-stroke V8 with the nimbleness of ACโ€™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 Fordโ€™s V8 engine. They shipped bare chassis to Shelby American where they were initially fitted Fordโ€™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.

 

Photo Credit:ย RM Sotheby’s