is there anybody knows this Cobra ?

[CCD]

Hello everybody !
I'm really happy to find a forum specialised in Contemporary !
I'm a french vintage car seller in France and a man came to me with its Contemporary Cobra. He bought it few years ago (by an intermediary specialized in US import) but unfortunatly because of personal reasons he couldn't use it and didn't registred it.
Today, he has a problem with this french registration :
In France, it's possible to registred this kind of car, but the french office for registration of vintage cars is asking for any paper that can proove that the car have more than 30 years.
That's why I come to you to ask if anybody knows this car and can maybe help me to find any information about it : last owners (in Ashland VA on the title), Contemporary documents...
I searched information about Contemporary and it seams that there not so much history or chassis list...
And there is something I don't understand on this car, the chassis number is CSX41446873S, it doesn't look like a Contemporary number...
So If somebody recognize this car ! Don't hesitate to tell me !
Thank you in advance
Loïc

[Danr55]

The number you referenced, CSX41446873S, since it lists "CSX" would indicate a Shelby chassis rather than a Contemporary Chassis. A Contemporary would be "CCX" followed by a four or five digit number. Usually "CCX3XXXX" or "CCX3-XXXX" marked on the left hand side of the frame forward. Where on the vehicle was the CSX number found?

[twobjshelbys]

That CSX badge was bought on ebay. That ain't no Shelby car.

[Eljaro]

The chassis number is stamped on the left 4" round tube just behind the lower A-Arm support. Turn wheels to the right, and look under the car behind the tire for a stamped number there. Maybe it is covered by paint and you have to scrape it clear. From that frame number it can be deducted when the car was build or sold, although no exact records exist because of the extinct manufacturer company. Most Contemporary Cobras were build in the 80's and early 90's
The number you mention does not belong to any Cobra manufacturer and has been probably been made up.
The title shows the year of the Cobra, which should be 1965. Many States took the engine build date as the build date for the whole car. The engine of the Cobra on the pictures is a Ford Big Block from the 60's.
The other date on the title is the issue date to the last owner. Since the car could have been sold several times that date does not determine the build date. All proof you have is that date on the title. It should be enough for the french authorities.

[ClassicCD]

Hi everybody, i am a friend of Loic CCD who initiated this post.
Many thanks to Eljaro for the information on where to find the chassis number. Thanks to you we know that this car is number #3207. We need now to find a way to proof to french authorities that the car was produced more than 30 years ago in order to get the registration done. I have red somewhere in the forum that DANR55 has chassis #3209 which was built in 1987. Does someone have any doc that could help us to register this beautiful Cobra ??? Thanking you in advance

[750hp]

Originally Posted by ClassicCD

We need now to find a way to proof to french authorities that the car was produced more than 30 years ago in order to get the registration done.

What is the actual requirement? Do you need proof that Contemporary were selling kits in the 1980s, or that CCX3207 was completed and had vehicle registration prior to May 1988?

The reason I ask is because here in Australia the requirement relates to proof of first registration. If that’s the same in France, all the general information in the world won’t help if you don’t have actual documentation specific to CCX3207.

[YerDugliness]

Absolutely LOVE the red color in that first (top-most) photo!

So many good replicas aren't made any more...good luck getting yours registered.

Cheers!

Doug

[Eljaro]

I bought Ex Jim Brainards Cobra and it is in Mallorca. The chassis number was CCX33308 and the issue date of the Title (Maryland) was 05/11/88. Since this is 99 cars younger than #33207, yours should have no problem. I have a copy of that title if it can be of help to you.
I also have a record of many Contemporary cars which Jeff Gagnon put together in 2016 and send to other Contemporary owners.
Car 33209 was manufactured in 1986, car #33212 in 1986.
I have the owners mail and phone numbers in case you want to contact them. Send me a PM if you need my help.

[Danr55]

Hi, I no longer own 3209 as it was wrecked on the freeway some years ago and sold as salvage. The new owner got all of the paperwork that went with it. I'm not sure exactly how to help you. I believe we spoke or emailed some weeks ago..
Dan

[ClassicCD]

Thanks to all of you for your answers.
To register it we need to proof that CCX3207 was produced prior to May 1988.
As there is no real production date on the documents we have and nor any production year list existing (as we know) our idea is to find some owner of Contemporary whith close chassis number and get (if possible) a copy of their documents. With these documents we expect French Car Federation to give us the paper which will allow us to get the registration from authorities.
So we gratefully accept your propsal ElJaro to send us copy of documents in your hand.
Benoit

[ClassicCD]

Thank you ElJaro for the help done in PM.

[Dominik]

Are you all sorted out now?

I had 3-3380 which was registered in South Africa in the late 80s. I would have to go through a lot of boxes to find a copy of the registration. The car is in Germany since 10+ years now.

Hold on, or was that 3080? That wouldn't help you. Let me check

[ClassicCD]

Hi Dominik,
I accept any kind of help. At that time we are taking all information that might be helpful to registrate the car.
So if you have some time a copy of yours would help us.
Thank you for your help

[Cobrafrancky83]

Hello everyone I have the same problem to validate more than 30 years and I CCX33834 I need help thank you all

[cycleguy55]

Originally Posted by Cobrafrancky83

Hello everyone I have the same problem to validate more than 30 years and I CCX33834 I need help thank you all

I don't know how many of these you've already seen but they may provide some information / clues. Nothing definitive, though the first link does reference "1983" and the second says "completed 1995":
https://copleymotorcars.com/?showroom=1959-fiat-jolly
https://www.mecum.com/lots/AN1112-13...cobra-replica/


2012 appraisal: https://autoappraisalnetwork.com/med...l%20Report.pdf

[Dominik]

I learned now that it was CCX 3-3080, registered in South Africa in 1989, but with a VIN that was allocated by the local authorities. This cannot help you, sorry. The car apparently entered SA in 1987 but was only registered in 1989. This VIN was used in Germany in 2003.

I found an exerpt from an interview with Peter Bayer, then the owner of CCX (the full interview was here on CC):

"• Was the original mold pulled directly from or measured from CSX3045 – The original “Splash” mold was. (1978)

• What, if anything, was changed in the CCX body – Like the original CSX 427 cars, the Series 1 and 2 molds had a drooped right rear fender; this was corrected on the “Plug” used to create the series 3 molds in ’83."

This does not confirm the age of your car, but shows that CCX built them as early as 1978.
Early cars had the E-Type torsion bar front suspension, but it does not say if the change to the later body version (1983) came in at the same time as the suspension change. 3080 had torsion bar.

I believe you contacted the CCX "registrar" here on the forum? Maybe his findings can place your VIN to the required date.

The only proof you have, or should have, is the old registration with a year in it. Or an understanding traffic department officer who accepts your supporting documentation.

[cycleguy55]

Deleted

[cycleguy55]

Originally Posted by ClassicCD

Thanks to all of you for your answers.
To register it we need to proof that CCX3207 was produced prior to May 1988.
As there is no real production date on the documents we have and nor any production year list existing (as we know) our idea is to find some owner of Contemporary whith close chassis number and get (if possible) a copy of their documents. With these documents we expect French Car Federation to give us the paper which will allow us to get the registration from authorities.
So we gratefully accept your propsal ElJaro to send us copy of documents in your hand.
Benoit

This post ( Contemporary Classic Motorcar History ) indicates CCX 3209 was built in 1987. Presumably the one you're looking at would have pre-dated that.

[Rick 427 Cobra]

I owned 3140 purchased in 84? I think. Early cars like this did not have the CCX prefix, only the serial number "3140". Peter Bayer was the principle of the company. He sold out and then when to Nisonger Instruments. Maybe he is still there.
Nisonger Instruments :: the exclusive Smiths U.S. Warranty & Service Center since 1949

[Dominik]

And if the registry helps, contact Jeff: jdgagnon1@juno.com

CCX Registry