AMERICAN MUSCLE CARS – by James W. Bryant

The 1966 FORD SHELBY COBRA 427 S/C

Ok, so at the time she didn’t look exactly American. In fact, she looked more like a European sports car. But the 1966 Ford Shelby Cobra 427 S/C was all American muscle indeed. She walloped a heart pounding 480bhp.

What I find interesting and not well known by the vast majority of American Muscle Car enthusiast is the fact that there were only 53 – Big Block Cobras produced. They were in production to compete in top-level motor sports here and abroad. But the brakes were slammed due when Shelby was told by the FIA they were usatisfied with the minimum number of cars required to homologate the 427 in the World Sports Car Championship. Needing 100 cars or more, Shelby's market was immediately slashed. He cancelled his order with AC, but still had 53 big block Cobras nearly completed. 34 of these cars were sold to some American race teams, but they were still left with 34 that needed a home. Then this fellow came along with a great idea of what to do with thse remaining cars. He suggested that they paint the remaining cars and offer them for sell as the fastest street machine in the world.

In addition to these fifty-three, there were actually two twin turbos of this same car made. One was for Bill Cosby and the other for Shelby. Shelby’s snake was sold in 2007 for 5.5 Million dollars. Cosby’s however had quiet another spin much earlier. He sold the car because it had too much power. And then the new owner, well, he put it into a lake…

--James W. Bryant

Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009 @ 9:23pm

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