[CobraDan]

Unaltered and Original: Cobra CSX2104
Author: Ushi Kettenman, November 11,2010
Rarely has a vehicle’s the coat of arms fit so well to its characteristics as those of the Cobra. The name has meant the epitome of brute locomotion since the 1960s. The idea for this unique sports car comes from the Carroll Shelby. The Texan, born on January 11th, 1923, had already made a name for himself as a race car driver in the 1950s.

In 1961 he built in the Model Ace with the British manufacturer AC a modified 4.2 liter V8 motor which, due to its extremely low performance weight and explosive acceleration, became known as one of the fastest sports cars of its time. The exciting developments surrounding the Cobra are currently described in the current issue of “Powerslide”.

Unmodified collector’s item: 1963 AC Cobra without enlargements or modifications.

The Cobra continues as a much desired collector’s piece. Originals are hard to come by and today there are far more replicas of this muscular sports car. Most of the genuine Cobras were modified or converted for use in races. Nowadays, this entirely classical line is seen very rarely and for that reason the Cobra used in the “Powerslide” article is a very rare specimen. This car was delivered on January 21, 1963 and was never altered. Further, during its 47 years the blue sports car was only driven 9,200 miles.
First of all, chassis number CSX2104 was the first Cobra to be delivered in “Guardsman Blue”, the color which Shelby used for his Cobras in races as well as for the Ford GT40 he used in 1965 which became his trademark. As the 104th of 589 delivered Cobras this one belongs to that group of vehicles which was part of the first contract between Carroll Shelby and AC Cars and was the 29th produced with the 289 cubic inch small block. This is one of the few which maintained its classically slim body and seduces otherwise with its absolute originality.
The car’s first owner, a young lady from Indiana, USA, took the car to Hawaii in 1973. The car remained in the possession of further owners in the USA until 2008. Two years ago the Cobra made its way to Europe. With a condition rating of 1+ the Cobra remains in the possession of a German collector today where it is cared for with great love and painstaking detail.