How to ID original AC Cobra

[64indy]

What codes or other ID methods would I use to ID an original '65 AC Cobra? Thanks!

[mrmustang]

Does it have an aluminum body?
Does it have a round tube frame?
Does it have any numbers stamped on the door hinges, or perhaps a tag under the hood on top of a footbox?

If so, what are those numbers?

Not many Cobras left that have not already been found, some, but not many. In the Jenkinstown,PA area I know of three, but all three of those are accounted for with SAAC.

Again post what you have found to date and we can then go from there.


Bill S.

[Power Surge]

First step, is check the VIN. It will be CSX2xxx for a small block car or CSX3xxx for a big block car. If you find a VIN like that, next step is to make sure it's not an "air car", which is a car created from no original parts, that wears and a original VIN (i.e. made up car).

[computerworks]

Mod Note..

Moved to All Cobra Talk

[WarrenG]

I believe that the non US cars carry a COB prefix and some of them have made it to the US over the years.

[Tom Kirkham]

Cars for Britain carried a COB number and were originally right hand drive
Cars for Europe carried a COX number and were originally left hand drive
Cars for the USA carried a CSX number and were originally left hand drive

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by 64indy

What codes or other ID methods would I use to ID an original '65 AC Cobra? Thanks!

Just as an afterthought, if you believe you have found an original, but you are unsure of the integrity and pedigree of the automobile in question, I'll be more than happy to come down and inspect it for you if you plan to purchase. At my current location I am close enough to get to you in under two hours, in my not to distant future location I am less than an hour from your location.


Bill S.

[64indy]

Thanks for all the input! I'm a veteran Mustang owner and MCA certified judge (64INDY = '64.5 Indianapolis 500 Pace Car coupe), so this AC Cobra stuff is new to me. This is one of those "cousin of a friend" things, so it's still very unsure of the car's existence as of now. If I get a chance to get some numbers, I'll post them and let everyone tell me what it is. My buddy, who is not really a car guy, says it's a hard top, but I know Hank Williams' racing 289 Cobra has a removable hardtop. I'm betting if it's real, it's similar to Hank's car.

[fastraxsg]

Some original's had numbers stamped in odd places like the trunk hinges. Cars have been made up from one odd stamped bit such as a trunk hinge and the guys have then tried to pass them off as originals. Posting numbers and checking the registery is the best way to get real help.

[A-Snake]

Originally Posted by fastraxsg

Some original's had numbers stamped in odd places like the trunk hinges.

Just a quick clarification, the numbers are on the trunk (boot) latch, not the hinges

[fastraxsg]

Actually on the metal hinge....

[A-Snake]

Originally Posted by fastraxsg

Actually on the metal hinge....

We may be using different terminology...the latch that has the numbers stamped on it is the actual catch that keeps the trunk (boot) closed.
The hinges (pivot points) do not have serial numbers on them.

[eschaider]

If its original and its nice, and most are today, you'll be able to recognize it immediately by its price tag. It's Huuumongusss!

Ed

[fastraxsg]

Unfortuantely I won't be home for another 2 weeks so I can't photocopy or send you a view of where the number could be....it was occasionaly on the actually curved part of the hinge which attached the trunk lid to the car. It was not on every car and on different places on some cars. This was in addition to the chassis number in the proper location on the manufacture's plate. This is information which I read and saw a photo of in one of my Cobra reference books.



Ok, here is my research answer when I got back home.....and I am going to apologize for my mistakes up front here, I screwed up in my reference as I didn't have my resource with me so here is the correction and my apology....In the book,
"Original AC ACE and COBRA" by Rinsey Mills...page 36, there is a picture of a stamped chassis number on a red bonnet (hood) hinge but the picture is not from a Cobra but from its earlier 6 cylinder version , the AC Ace. The hinges were sometimes stamped with the chassis number. I apologize for my mistake and hope I didn't lead anyone too far astray...

[richsd]

Originally Posted by fastraxsg

As mentioned on this thread, if it is a real one, the price will be hovering around $100,000 depending on the condition, maybe over that.

Ken, what currency are you using? $100K USD? A Kirkham or Shelby 4000 series replica will cost that much. Show me an original with an asking price of $100K and I will show you someone that has no idea of what they are selling. I will actually be going to look at an original that I may purchase in a week or two. I sure hope the current owner will consult with you when determining the asking price.

[fastraxsg]

Opps,my mistake, maybe should have used my calculator instead of my fingers and toes, my exchange rate from Indonesia rupiah gets me off a bit sometimes....

[richsd]

Yeah maybe the calculator there would add the extra zero for you.

[A-Snake]

Originally Posted by fastraxsg

Opps,my mistake, maybe should have used my calculator instead of my fingers and toes, my exchange rate from Indonesia rupiah gets me off a bit sometimes....

100,000. Indonesian Rupiah is only $11.07 USA,

[troll]

First thing I noticed about original cobra's is that they look old and used.When I was a the Miller sports park last weekend.I pointed out to my brother.Look at the radiator,It looks like it came from a wrecked car.lead dripping off the whole seam.No wax jobs no new paint.Numbers written on the intake box ,like someone did a compression test and used it for a note pad.Still have there history splashed all over them..

[Maricopa]

Easy, drive around in it and wait for a pack of FFR owners to come by and 'dis' it. Then you'll know fer sure.