[computerworks]

OK...thanks:

The fact is the Cobra would'nt even exist if not for Shelby.
I agree.

AC had one foot in the grave when Shelby showed up with his idea.
Not really; understand the UK motorcar industry... they would have found a new engine supplier and continued.

AC stole the design for the Ace chasis and body shape from a Ferrari from which the Tojero speicals were born which begot the Ace.
They bought the design from the originator.

The 289 in the prototype could fairly be called an Ace with a V8.
The proto ended up with a 260

But Shelby developed the car in its suspension, wheel hubs, steering etc.. Not AC.
AC developed the entire running chassis. Shelby's team tweaked the design as components showed weaknesses.

Shelby further developed the 289 in FIA form and turned it into a world champ.
The 289FIA didn't win a World Championship.

Not AC. Shelby developed and fabricated the Daytona Coupes which again helped capture another World FIA championship. Not AC.
"..another?" They won one only in 1965.

As to the 427, Shelby conceived it, designed it, developed it,
Ken Miles?

Shelby built prototypes of it, tested it and told AC what to build based on his specs.
AC fabricated as told.
OK

In fact many Brits today and then favored the 289 which they saw as more their own referring to the 427 in derrogatory ways at times such as a "289 on steroids" or "Frankenstein".
Conventional wisdom knows the 289 was a better race car. Shelby never campaigned a 427.

Yet, interestingly the 427 is the model that seared itself into the public mind and conscious as the ultimate performance beast and muscle car and is the more valuable and desired of the two by most.
The ultimate hot rod...yes. More valuable=less made

Fact. The 427 is a 100% Shelby creation.
Yup

But for the cost of labor Shelby wanted to build them himself.
I believe by the end of 1965, CS was less than in love with the 427 project

AC blew the production failing to get enough built by April '65 to qualify the 427 for FIA production. To me AC was nothing more than the "hired" tin bangers for the 427.
AC built the cars to a release schedule...and met that schedule. By April 1965, Shelby had only finished and sold SIX cars.

The Cobras are and always will be Shelby's babies.
Agree

Shelby not AC put the Cobra on the map and made it an Icon. Both 289 and 427.
Agree