[Cobra #3170]

Originally Posted by Silversmith

I,ve been involved with these cars for over 40 years. starting with csx2058 63/260 cid, csx3116 66/427cid , 64/289csx----, & 68/428 csx----. Not to mention over 1/2 dozen 60's era GT350's & GT500's Included during that time was an assortment of others from Healey's, 300SEL's Gulwings, mustangs, camaro's, Jag's, vette's etc. No, I nor my friends ever truly raced in series racing. But we do consider ourselves true automotive enthusiast. Back in the day; when we were driving these assorted beast. We had access to a 28+ car collection & used them all. We simply called a AC cobra that. "An AC". The GT's we called them by there color & number, or year & number, ie 68/GT500, or 68/KR. These were all Shelby built/titled cars. But we rarely used the Shelby name before the type of car we were in. IMHO any AC bodied car is a AC Cobra, because all of these cars. Shelby AC's now & then, ERA AC's, KMC AC's & all the rest are all based off the original "AC Bristol Ace" Shelby had a great design concept & we are all the better for his vision. No matter what manifacturers "AC" kit or factory turn key roadster you drive. They are all AC COBRA'S I now own a ERA S/C 427 side oiler. It is a true "AC Cobra" better & stronger in fact. I know from original AC past experience what a AC Cobra is. If Shelby American built your AC, call it a Shelby!! Just make sure the performance of your ride is on par with the original AC Cobra's.

I have posted this before but here it is again, back in 1965-1967 all the Cobra owners I knew (we had about 6 in a town of 50,000) called our cars AC Cobras because we did not want them confused with Shelby Mustangs. In those days if you told someone you had a Shelby anything they immediately thought you had a Mustang and believe me they had no where near the prestige they do now. Ned, I like your DNA theory, but I don't think Evan will agree.