Quote:
Originally Posted by ERANJ
Yes let the facts speak for themselves an original ID tag for CSX3279 not an invoice to the manfacturer.
Not sure how to post a photo however the attached link to Canepa has an original VIN tag stating SAI as the manufacturer.
1967 Shelby Cobra 427_5075 |
I imagine CSX3279 came off the AC invoice, and also was stamped on the chassis somewhere. Shelby did what he does so well, badged it as his own to sell in the US. Remember, Shelby was no saint when it comes to marketing his cars ...
In 1993 the Los Angeles Times exposed a Carroll Shelby scheme to "Counterfeit" his own cars. With the price of an original 427 c.i. Cobra skyrocketing, Shelby had, by his own written declaration executed under penalty of perjury, caused the California Department of Motor Vehicles (the government agency responsible for titling vehicles and issuing operator permits) to utter forty-three "Duplicate Titles" for vehicles that did not officially exist in company records. A letter from AC Cars confirmed the fact that the chassis numbers Shelby had obtained titles for were never manufactured, at least by AC Cars. Only fifty-five 427 c.i. Cobras had been originally produced out of a block of serial numbers reserved for 100 vehicles. Shelby had taken advantage of a loophole in the California system that allowed one to obtain a duplicate title for a vehicle only on a written declaration, without the vehicle identification number appearing in the DMV's database or the declarant ever presenting an actual vehicle for inspection. Shelby later admitted that the chassis had been manufactured in 1991 and '92 by McCluskey Ltd, an engineering firm in Torrance, California, and were not authentic AC chassis.
I'll side with the facts that AC provided Shelby a near complete car less engine and transmission which Shelby installed. I'll also side with historians who say the Cobra resulted from a collaborative effort between Ford, AC Cars Ltd and Shelby - all being contributors.
Evan, you love to say
"It was CS and SAI that directed and requested the vast majority of changes to the chassis to get to the "Cobra" chassis." Please post a link that documents that information, as you know your credibility is highly suspect and this would be a good opportunity to improve on that perception.