Spendy, Special-Edition Snake: Shelby To Offer 50th Anniversary 427 Cobra
” Over five decades ago, when Carroll Shelby wedged a Ford 260 V-8 into an AC Ace, who would’ve thunk the damn-hard-to-kill Shelby would be in the ground, yet new Cobras bearing his name would still be available for sale? Yet they are. A year after Shelby American announced the 50th Anniversary 289 FIA Cobra, 2015 sees the commemorative launch of that car’s bigger, altogether more monstrous brother, the heavily-mythologized 427.
Like the 289 FIA car released last year, the 50th Anniversary Edition 427 Cobra is delivered sans engine. For maximum authenticity, you’ll want to pick up an FE side-oiler displacing — duh — 427 cubic inches and a four-speed Toploader. Alternately, put a boosted-to-Venus EcoBoost in the thing and utterly befuddle the masses. If you’re an extreme weirdo, source an early AC two-liter straight six. We’ll buy dinner for the first character who pulls that move. We’ll also happily proclaim his or her undying supremacy. Alternately, you can purchase the unspecified powertrain package that Shelby’s currently developing for the car.
Pricing, as you’d expect, nudges itself firmly into eye-watering territory. A fiberglass-bodied roller will set you back $119,995. Adding $60k to your bank draft will snare you an aluminum body with a snappy polish job. Fiberglass cars are finished in Guardsman Blue with Wimbledon White stripes, a classically Cobra-esque color scheme even a grump like Destro could appreciate. Special Anniversary-oriented bits include a 23-gallon racing-style tank, fancier interior materials, special gauges, and unique badges.
Shelby is only turning out 50 examples of the Anniversary 427s, so prospective snake-handlers should prepare to shell out the ducats sooner rather than later. The car will say hello in the flesh at Barrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale Auction on January 12th. Orders open the following day, leaving metallic herpetologists plenty of time to turn over the couch and hit the Coinstar machine.”
Thanks to Car & Driver
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