50 Years Of Shelby Cobra 427
In 1965, Texan tuner Shelby moved one step further with their plans of putting ludicrous amount of power in everything they could: seeing just how successful their AC Cobra was in road racing, they decided to up the ante. Instead of installing their regular 260 or 289 cubic inch (4.3 or 4.7 litre, respectively) V8 in the small car, Carroll decided to shove in the biggest Ford engine available at the time: a 427 cubic inch (7 litre) V8 mill. The engine barely fit in the car, but it created the fastest sports car of the era, and a legend in the automotive world.
Fifty years later, the car is still produced without many changes, which is an impressive feat. To mark this very special occasion, Shelby America decided to build a commemorative edition Cobra 427. Only 50 units will be built, and they will start at $119,995 US, which does not include an engine or transmission. For the money, you get a chassis, a fibreglass body painted in Guardsmen Blue with white stripes, unique badges, 15 inch wheels and a vinyl interior. If you want to pay even more, you can opt for an aluminium body which features no paint. Instead, it is polished over a hundred hours into a mirror-like finish.
Whatever the options chosen, you then have to choose a drivetrain for the car. Ford still sells brand-new 427 V8s, but there is nothing from stopping you from installing something even more remarkable in the car...