CSX2000 Fender Flares - AC / Shelby American / Privateers -

[tkb289]

While at the 50th anniversary celebration at Laguna Seca last month, I took advantage of the opportunity of seeing all of those original Cobras in one place, to really look at some of the details.

One area of interest is in the rear fender flares of the 289 race / comp cars. Below are a few photos of fenders on different CSX2000 cars, along with a slab side and factory FIA for reference. I especially like the look of the slab side front fenders & flared out rear fenders.

Question for those history buffs out there … were the fenders modified by AC at the factory or were they done by Shelby American, or by Privateers … or by any & all of the above?

There seem to be some subtle differences from car to car. Are there any photos or information on fender modifications from back in the day?

Thoughts, comments or observations ?



CSX2367 - Traditional Slab Side



CSX2345 - Factory FIA



CSX2128 - Sebring Roadster



CSX2022 - 'The Cobra In The Barn' Cobra


CSX2156



CSX2xxx#98 (Don't know the CSX Number)



CSX2273



CSX2151 - The 'Hairy Canary'



CSX2225



CSX2192

[computerworks]

Originally Posted by tkb289

… were the fenders modified by AC at the factory or were they done by Shelby American, or by Privateers … or by any & all of the above?

Not many from the AC Factory. Even the LeMans Replicas came from AC with standard street rear fenders.

[tkb289]

Good to know, sounds like at the time Shelby American or local body shops did a lot of modifications.

Thanks.

[xb-60]

Interesting photos Tim.
Looking at the variety of fender extensions you’ve snapped, I would very much like to believe that ALL the flares were NOT done at the factory. Some are very “individual”. I’m trying to be diplomatic here.
Cheers,
Glen

[Fullchat289]

Those are some great photos, Tim.My preferences match yours..perhaps something for the future of era2124.. ;-)

- Allen.

[cobrakidz]

I like the 2345 look.

[SunDude]

By the way Tim, #98 is CSX2136 one of the Le Mans replicas.

Brian

[xb-60]

Tim - I had a look around in the Registry pages. Here is some of the information I found, as well as my slant on it.
Cars listed in the same order as your photos.

CSX2345
Designated at AC Cars as “race car with wide rear wings” (cut-back door competition car)
My interpretation – left AC Cars with flares; may have had flares extended later

CSX2128
Originally a Shelby team car
Acquired “oversize spats behind front wheels and enlarged rear flares”
Current ‘spec’ is Sebring ‘63
My interpretation –probably left AC Cars with flares; flares extended later by SA

CSX2022
Active racer, received updates as they became available
My interpretation – flares probably added by SA

CSX2156
Supplied “unpainted, with body modification”
My interpretation – left AC Cars with flares; may have had flares extended later

No. #98 aka CSX2136
Delivered to Shelby American “unpainted, with body modifications”
Listed in AC Cars production records as Le Mans Replica
Further mods at Shelby American – pop- riveted spats and widened rear flares
My interpretation – left AC Cars with flares; flares extended later by SA

CSX2151 (Hairy Canary)
Gained widened flares post 2003
(owned 2002-2003 by Kevin Kivlochan of COB6008 fame)
My interpretation – flares added later

CSX2273
Probably supplied originally as a standard road car
My interpretation – flares added later

CSX2225
Probably supplied originally as a standard road car (luggage rack was as originally supplied)
“Extreme” flares added around ‘74
My interpretation – flares added later

CSX2192
By ’67 had acquired rounded flares, hood scoop, roll bar, Webers, 5 spoke American wheels
New body in ’79 after crash and substantial damage; rebuilt with large flares
My interpretation –probably standard body originally; flares added later

It would seem that most flares were added well after leaving SA's doors. Very few left AC Cars with anything different to the standard fenders.

Feel free to contradict or add info. There are plenty out there more knowledgeable than me.

Cheers,
Glen

[tkb289]

Originally Posted by Fullchat289

Those are some great photos, Tim.My preferences match yours..perhaps something for the future of era2124.. ;-)

- Allen.

Allen ... Thanks, it was quite a treat to see all those original cars up close.

The slab side front fenders with rear flares, pretty cool combination. For me, 2128, 2022 and especially 2136 are all beautiful examples.

Well... I can already see the wheels turning in your head. You have done some very cool mods to 2124, maybe a little custom body work is next? Slab side front fenders, keep the cutback FIA doors and add flared rear fenders That being said, the original FIA body style is pretty hard to beat.

Now, if you were to start with an ERA slab side, you might be onto something ...

[tkb289]

Originally Posted by SunDude

By the way Tim, #98 is CSX2136 one of the Le Mans replicas.

Brian

Brian,

Thanks ... did not know that #98 was 2136, I really like the look of this car. I am not usually a big fan of the kidney bean wheels, but the all black wheel with the bare spinner on a black car, very nice combination.

[tkb289]

Originally Posted by xb-60

Tim - I had a look around in the Registry pages. Here is some of the information I found, as well as my slant on it.
Cars listed in the same order as your photos.

CSX2345
Designated at AC Cars as “race car with wide rear wings” (cut-back door competition car)
My interpretation – left AC Cars with flares; may have had flares extended later

CSX2128
Originally a Shelby team car
Acquired “oversize spats behind front wheels and enlarged rear flares”
Current ‘spec’ is Sebring ‘63
My interpretation –probably left AC Cars with flares; flares extended later by SA

CSX2022
Active racer, received updates as they became available
My interpretation – flares probably added by SA

CSX2156
Supplied “unpainted, with body modification”
My interpretation – left AC Cars with flares; may have had flares extended later

No. #98 aka CSX2136
Delivered to Shelby American “unpainted, with body modifications”
Listed in AC Cars production records as Le Mans Replica
Further mods at Shelby American – pop- riveted spats and widened rear flares
My interpretation – left AC Cars with flares; flares extended later by SA

CSX2151 (Hairy Canary)
Gained widened flares post 2003
(owned 2002-2003 by Kevin Kivlochan of COB6008 fame)
My interpretation – flares added later

CSX2273
Probably supplied originally as a standard road car
My interpretation – flares added later

CSX2225
Probably supplied originally as a standard road car (luggage rack was as originally supplied)
“Extreme” flares added around ‘74
My interpretation – flares added later

CSX2192
By ’67 had acquired rounded flares, hood scoop, roll bar, Webers, 5 spoke American wheels
New body in ’79 after crash and substantial damage; rebuilt with large flares
My interpretation –probably standard body originally; flares added later

It would seem that most flares were added well after leaving SA's doors. Very few left AC Cars with anything different to the standard fenders.

Feel free to contradict or add info. There are plenty out there more knowledgeable than me.

Cheers,
Glen

Glen,

Thanks for the information from the registry along with your interpretations. I am sure others might have some insights to share, a lot can happen to a car in 50 years or so.

[1985 CCX]

This was my version of the Joseph flare.................

[*13*]

These are some of the best looking Cobras! The 98 car with Kidneys is one of my favorite.

[S1013]

Terrific photos. The #98 car is also one of my favorites. Am in the middle of an ERA slabside, doing the roll bar & kidney beans, now if I could just get the measurements of the flares . . . ERA listening?

[Sminor]

Originally Posted by 1985 CCX

This was my version of the Joseph flare.................

Jeff,
I think your car is going to be fantastic !
steve

[hurricaneharold]

[quote=xb-60;1208686]Tim - I had a look around in the Registry pages. Here is some of the information I found, as well as my slant on it.
Cars listed in the same order as your photos.

CSX2151 (Hairy Canary)
Gained widened flares post 2003
(owned 2002-2003 by Kevin Kivlochan of COB6008 fame)
My interpretation – flares added later

Kevin bought the car from the States in bits,then sold it to Bill Bridges,the current owner to finance buying CSX2142.

I have spoken to Bill on many occasions regarding this car, the flares were added quite a few years before the car came to the UK.

[jolsen42]

2367 is my favorite and the car I chose to replicate.

John O

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by xb-60

....CSX2151 (Hairy Canary)
Gained widened flares post 2003
(owned 2002-2003 by Kevin Kivlochan of COB6008 fame)
My interpretation – flares added later. ....

[quote=hurricaneharold;1216706]

Originally Posted by xb-60

.....I have spoken to Bill on many occasions regarding this car, the flares were added quite a few years before the car came to the UK.

Harold - I see in the Registry (p135) that in 1974 when still a LHD in America, 2151 was wearing < 8" mag wheels >, so is it safe to assume that 2151 needed flared guards to cover these wheels in 1974, and then when Bill Bridges eventually bought the car in around 2003, he modified the existing flares to very adequately accommodate (see posted pic) < Black 7.5" Halibrands >?
But hey, I'm splitting hairs, yes? These are all nice, modified CSX2xxx cars with history!

Cheers,
Glen

[hurricaneharold]

[quote=xb-60;1216757]

Originally Posted by hurricaneharold

Harold - I see in the Registry (p135) that in 1974 when still a LHD in America, 2151 was wearing < 8" mag wheels >, so is it safe to assume that 2151 needed flared guards to cover these wheels in 1974, and then when Bill Bridges eventually bought the car in around 2003, he modified the existing flares to very adequately accommodate (see posted pic) < Black 7.5" Halibrands >?
But hey, I'm splitting hairs, yes? These are all nice, modified CSX2xxx cars with history!

Cheers,
Glen

I would imagine Bill did modify the flares if neccessary to comply with the FIA regulations.