Shelby American Cobra VIN number

wayne todd · #1 (**permalink**) 11-21-2001, 08:00 PM

I have a cobra with a vin number 1237J4S432585
Can you tell me who, when, & where it was made?
The plackard under the hood says Mfg. by Shelby american in L.A. with the above vin #. Thanks
Wayne

mrmustang · #2 (**permalink**) 11-23-2001, 06:41 AM

Sorry to say Wayne,

But the VIN you have posted does not even come close to a valid SAI or older style Shelby VIN of any type. Do you have any pictures of your car up on the web that we could look at??????

Sincerely,

Bill S.

dscott · #3 (**permalink**) 11-23-2001, 08:36 AM

I'm not familiar with that vin code so I can't really help. I would post some pictures and details and maybe some of the members or other mfgs can help.
Don

Satanpez · #4 (**permalink**) 11-23-2001, 09:51 AM

Most likely a replica with a Shelby tag purchased after the build.

There's a dealer 2 streets from my apartment that has a Classic Roadsters, stretched chassis with a Chevy 350. It has one of those tags and everyone there demanded that it was built by Shelby American.

-steve in nj-

Jack21 · #5 (**permalink**) 11-23-2001, 11:36 AM

The Shelby badge & placks are available from a variety of sources, and just about every owner installs them after the car is built. It adds to the mistique of originality. Manufacturers can't or they get a "Cease & Desist" letter from Shelby or Ford lawyers. FFR is currently in Court over this. CR uses the Classic 427 monikers, and they get tossed in the trash. When I bought a Lecarra steering wheel, they couldn't sell me the Cobra logo for the horn button. Had to buy that from Tony Branda and install it myself.

You'll have to look at other features to determine who's kit it is.