One more time -- BLACK slabside

[Jim Maxwell]

Being somewhat of an obsessive fanatic, I am currently investigating the origins of the Cobra luggage rack. None of the racks pictured are correct . I have searched many a British car junkyard and haven't found a similar rack on an MG, Triumph, Austin Healey, or Jaguar. But I'm still looking. I'll try to post a picture of an original as soon as I scan a pic in. I welcome any advice, other than "get a life!".

[computerworks]

Jim...my advice would be to scan the aftermarket accessory suppliers that were in So. Calif at that time. Since the rack didn't come from AC, SAI probably purchased it locally.

I would have to look later at the ads in old mags from that era (SCG, R&T, etc.)..but I remember a well-known supplier of add-ons for sports cars. I bought a bumper bar for my Triumph Spitfire from them.

[Jamo]

Actually, I would guess they might have simply used whomever supplied AC at the time. Check some English mags like Classic Car.

[G.R.]

Wayne
Reason I posted the English makes was all 3 had near identical racks as options--the '57 MGA I owned had one that had a small rear luggage support baron the rack, but was identical to a friends Triumph without the bar , also looked very similar to some AH's--Cobra pic looks like one of those though you can't tell for sure from the angle of the photo--
Who knows? might have been from an AC supplier or Calif. local sports car parts shop
The first era of street Cobras held to the "sports car" theme, wire wheels, minimum ergonomics, narrow white wall tires, this was what U.S. buyers were familiar with, and 'vettes were just getting on their feet.

[Excaliber]

Jim,,,,as the owner of an original Cobra (or two) that IS your life! Tracking down every little bit of info and getting the history "correct". Good hunting, and lets us know what you find.

Ernie

[Rick Parker]

A couple of the more significant vendors for the British Car Parts of the early 60's era were MG Mitten and Vilem B. Haan from Southern California. One of the larger Parts chains was BAP.
The maker of the racks in question was American Carry-Products Co Inc. of North Hollywood Ca. better known as AMCO. They made soft tops, toneau (sp?) covers and plexiglass side windows too.

Prices to make you Cry from the way back file in the 1963 Road & Track.

Raydyot "Chrome" Race Mirror....Adjustable base F.I.A. approved, shatterproof, flat or convex glass......$6.95 In aluminum original equipment on many factory race cars. 7 1/4 oz, F.I.A. approved, shatterproof, flat or convex glass $5.95 ea.


Wind wings- by AMCO....Top grade Lucite with polished edges. Brass fittings triple chrome plated. $16.95-$24.95.

Sun Visors - by AMCO.....optically pure tinted Lucite Machined brass fittings triple chrome plated. $6.95-$7.95.


May 1965 issue......."1964 Cobra purchased September. Never raced, carefully maintained, standard street equipment, White with red leather with radio 4500 miles. $5000!!!!!!!!!!!!!! will deliver to Tulsa (Clois where were you???)


Hurts huh????

Rick

[computerworks]

Thanks, Rick... AMCO was the company I was thinking of...
Jim...betcha they did the rack.

[427SSSS]

rdorman,
Sorry, your information is helpfull, I do appreciate it. Guess I'll get off my butt and do a little reshearch.

Guess I was hoping for a part number, or someone to post: "Hey, that's the same rack the 19XX XYZ car used.!" ( Like people posting: "The ashtray is from an AH, or the hand brake is from an XKE."

G.R.
"Who knows?" Exactly! I've asked the same question several times about which rack was used back in the 60's on the Cobra.
Just would like to know if there was a specific rack chosen by SA, maybe sold as a option, rather than individuals installing off the shelf racks on their own Cobras.



[IMG][/IMG]

[rdorman]

Looks like some folks here have actually spent some time on this issue while mine is just casual observation!
Rick

[Rick Parker]

427SSS.....

I believe your pictures originated from the from Motor Trend 9/63 (hows the memory??) I didn't go look. This was during the early months when Shelby was spinning his web and attempting to gain exposure for the car. Some of the earliest cars were painted numerous times and given to the press to garner their comments and creat the illusion that production had been ramped up and that many cars were available.

The engine shows some items that were unique to this photo shoot and to the to the Hipo theme and subsequent production.

These pictures were taken during a road test that was done at Riverside Raceway. Car was red with black top, narrow wire wire wheels. This particular road test/article had an imense amount of information in it. If you are a small block fan check it out.

Questionable if this was really a 289 although print indicated it was, any information to the contrary is welcome.

The 260 engined cars all had the oil filler through a passage in the front timing cover with a single filler cap.

No vents in the hollow letter rocker covers. Rare (unique to 260 cars?) Note there is no pvc valve or smog control of any type on this, as it was prior to them being put on any vehicle.

Vacuum pot on the distributor...never part of production 289 Hipo
parts this is the only picture of one I have seen.

Fuel filter attached similar to FE motor. Prior to being made part of the pump itself?

The Harrison sourced tank is attached above the LH manifold, was later replaced by a smooth top tank similar to that of an FE mounted also above the LH exaust manifold.

No side vents as they were later added as prodution items to solve complaints of heat from the V8.

Generator instead of 45 amp alternator.

Any additions/corrections welcomed.

.......Rick