Cobra Myths and Legends

[FatBoy]

Hi,

The Cobra has become a part of automotive folklore over the years and countless tales have developed, some true, others less so.
Many I already know, but I'm sure there are others I haven't yet heard. The tale of how Shelby used to stick a $100 bill to the inside of the windscreen and if the passenger could reach it under acceleration, they could keep it, is a good example. The story goes that no one ever did get the $100.
I'd like to hear about all the tales, myths and legends, true or otherwise that have become a part of the Cobra folklore. Even if you think everyone will already know it, please post it up here.
In the words of Baldric from Blackadder, I have a cunning plan.

Thanks,
Paul

[A-Snake]

"They built the first 100 cars from recycled beer cans" ...Carroll Shelby

[mdross1]

The person who coached me during my build has been driving big block Cobras since the 60's has a $100.00 bill on his pass visor and nobody has touched it while going through the gears.
One thing that always impressed me was his being so adamant about passing.

Passing anything in a big block Cobra,

"Always pull out then hit the throttle otherwise you could run into the back of whatever your passing"

Once our car was dailed in I experimented a little he was right till it became routine.The $100.00 bill thing is also true,provided the pass follows the rules hands in their laps and try to reach while rowing the gears only.

[Mark IV]

"The bodies were pounded out by some winos living under a bridge...."

"CSX" stands for Carroll Shelby eXperimental"

[PSB]

My uncle had an original...

[A-Snake]

Originally Posted by Mark IV

"CSX" stands for Carroll Shelby eXperimental"

This may be the biggest myth of all :-))

[marcocsx3121]

And this happens to be the bridge that those winos were working under:

[blykins]

I have never been in any car that I couldn't reach up and touch the dash.

[mike harter]

CSX is for Carroll Shelby exports

[dcdoug]

Not directly related to the cobra, but in the family.

Where the GT350 got it's name (someone can probably improve a bit on the literal accuracy, but here's the gist):

When they were arguing over what to call the first Shelby Mustang, Carroll finally pointed out the window and asked, "How far to the shop from this office?" Someone replied about 350 ft. He said, "Great, we'll call it the GT350."

His logic: If it's a good car, the name won't matter and if it's a bad car, the name won't save it.

[1ntCobra]

Originally Posted by mike harter

CSX is for Carroll Shelby exports

Apparently C standing for Carroll or Cobra is another myth and coincidence.

The first series of AC Aces had serial numbers beginning with "A". The next series of AC Aces, powered by Bristol engines, used serial numbers beginning with "B". So when the third series of AC Ace derivative cars was built for Shelby, the first letter of the serial numbers changed to "C".

Although following that logic, you would think that when they went to the coil spring chassis, that AC would have switched to using "D" for the first letter and thus you would have DSX3001 instead of CSX3001. Interestingly CSX3001 and CSX3002 were initially designated as CSX2701 and CSX2702.

[Bernica]

Myth? Mystery? or BS?

Carrol Shelby stashed a bunch of chassis, bodies and parts in a warehouse before he went on his "walkabout" in South Africa. Some say there are still some stashed....

[RodKnock]

Zero to 100 mph and back to zero in 13.8 seconds.

[Trevor Legate]

"AC Cars were a components supplier...." (a real gem)

Just read any interview with the Man in any American magazine for more material. Quotes in UK magazines were different

When do we hear about the 'cunning plan'?

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by A-Snake

"They built the first 100 cars from recycled beer cans" ...Carroll Shelby

Which proves how clever AC was back then as beer cans were steel until the 70's!!!

[mrmustang]

Cobra speaking to it's new owner:

Cobra: "Come on, put your foot to the floor, I won't try to kill you, honest"

[LMH]

I think the one I hear the most is "my neighbor has an original". So I'm guessing that there's about 300 originals in Tucson!
Larry

[RodKnock]

Shelby: “What we did was take a bunch of California hot-rodders and we whipped Ferrari's ass."

[Silversmith]

0 mph to 100 mph & back to 0 mph in 11.8 seconds! I was holding the stop watch, while in CSX 3116. I was 15 years old! The "AC Cobra" Addiction started @ that moment for me!


Welcome To The Addiction There IS NO cure

[FatBoy]

Thank you for the feedback so far.
The various version of what CSX stood for and the "winos under the railway arch" are great examples of Shelby's spin on the truth.

Paul