Fellow Car Nuts:
Regarding what Brent Fenimore stated, “I have to admit the vehicle is a beauty {sic} however {sic} I must state that it is not a new concept. Carroll Shelby, Ken Miles and AC built several (26) of the 289 / 427 concepts back in 1964.”
According to the history I have read, I know of no 289/427 concepts which were built in 1964 with the 289 engine on a 427 chassis. The first 427 chassis built were CSX3001 and CSX3002. I believe the “several (26)” to which Brent is referring are the 427 chassis COB cars with 289 engines that were made at the very end of the 427 production in 1967—after the death of Ken Miles. All of those cars were “narrow hip” 427-bodied cars. The only "hybrids" I know of were the “Flip Top, or Turd”, (289 Chassis with an aluminum 390), and 3002, which was a 427 chassis, 427 engine, with a 289 FIA nose (of sorts) and a 427 “Competition” rear body work. After the Turd was built, (with a big block), and the potential of the vehicle was seen, I imagine Shelby had no compelling reason to place a smaller engine into any of the new chassis (427) vehicles. As time went on, the 289 bodied car ended up with fenders that were too narrow to handle the ever widening tires the racing world was demanding—hence the evolution of the 289 body to the 427 wider body. Shelby never had any compelling reason to place a 427 chassis under a 289 body that I am aware of. That said, I guess our car on ebay right now could most closely be described as a 3002 car. If I am incorrect in my history, please let me know—I will be the first to say I don’t know the entire history down to the last “nut-and-bolt” so to speak. (I would have to ask Thomas or Ron about that.)
Lowell,
Thank you for your kind words. I have to admit the ride in a 289 car reminds me of a buck board on Little House on the Prairie. Admittedly, that is why we came up with the 289 bodied, 427 chassis, or Hybrid, car. Great looks matched to great handling. I too agree this just might be the perfect vehicle for the 351 motor. (Actually, this entire idea was Dave Dralle’s. He bugged us relentlessly to make the hybrids and has an absolutely stunning yellow Hybrid in his shop.)
The 427 and the 289 are almost identical in size around the hood, trunk, doors, and cockpit. (We have even sold a hood, trunk, and doors to an owner of an old AC Ace who was restoring his car.) Interestingly, the AC car bodies evolved relatively little over the years. Most of the modifications were simply to put bigger tires on the cars, or to open up the nose for a bigger radiator to cool the bigger engines--while the difficult, and expensive, part of manufacturing the car was left in tact, (the body tubes around the hood, trunk, doors, and cockpit).
The foot boxes are quite different between a 289 and a 427 car. We use 427 foot boxes in all of our cars now as they make much more room for the engine and headers in a 289 car. (It is a popular modification done even on original cars.) The 427 foot box is actually smaller, so I am not sure why you thought the 427 was bigger in the cars you sat in--could have been the cars. As for room in the vehicle, the room will be the same between a 289 and a 427 for the driver and passenger. The room in the engine compartment will, of course, be much larger in a 289 car. We have done several “Jamo” modifications to the vehicle to make it more comfortable for the “Jamo sized” customer. We are even currently working on a dropped foot and pedal box to allow for more room, (and an adjustable brake bias)!
I guess we will continue to mix ‘n match, fiddle with this, and diddle with that—all in an effort to improve the car and bring more value to the customer. I would have to say it is my all-time favorite car as well. Nevertheless, we still offer an exact replica for the true addicts like Ron.
Many thanks again for all the kind words.
Please let me know how we can help you,
David
