Blog: History of AC Cobra

[CobraEd]

If Shelby was never in the picture at all (hypotheticaly), the AC Ace would just be another forgotten British car like the Austin Healy, the Triumph, and the MG. There would have never been a "Cobra"


.

[nikbj68]

Originally Posted by CobraEd

If Shelby was never in the picture at all (hypotheticaly), the AC Ace would just be another forgotten British car like the Austin Healy, the Triumph, and the MG. There would have never been a "Cobra"

But thats not enough to write everyone else`s involvement out of the history books, is it? You can`t say that a V8 would never have found it`s way into the Ace, either; for example, the Buick motor that was taken by Rover was, I believe, a possibility for consideration in 61/62.

And of course, those forgotten Healeys, MGs & Triumphs (very much in evidence at everyclassic car show you may care to attend) aren`t SO forgotten if you remember them too...

[Trevor Legate]

I'm back on the valium......

[1ntCobra]

Originally Posted by JWilly

I'm not well enough versed in Shelby/Coba history to get into this fray but I always did wonder how CS took the body and chassis from A.C. cars and an engine from Ford and, bingo...it's a Shelby (although, I'm really glad he did). It always seemed to me to be more of a recombination (with some improvements,of course) than a "creation".

Hmm, my computer says Dell on it. Did they invent the CPU? Did they make the hard drive or dvd burner? Did they write the operating system?

Perhaps they just sourced a bunch of stuff from other companies, assembled it and slapped the Dell name on it... Do I call it an Intel/Microsoft/etc/etc laptop or do I call it a Dell laptop? Do I go to Intel/Microsoft/etc/etc for warranty service or do I call Dell?

I guess my Dell is just a recombination more than a creation, but I still call it a Dell.

[JWilly]

Hmm, I never realized Dell claimed they "created" the computer.

[1ntCobra]

Originally Posted by JWilly

Hmm, I never realized Dell claimed they "created" the computer.

I didn't claim that Shelby invented the automobile either.

Sourcing components from other companies, putting them together and slapping your name on it; well apparently that's why you can call it a Dell computer or a Shelby Cobra.

Shelby originally registered the trademark for the Cobra name and later sold it to Ford. AC never owned the trademark. They must have been granted a license by Shelby for sales outside of the US for the small block cars.

[JWilly]

I really have no argument with any of this, nor am I a CS hater. But remembering CS's law suits over the "shape" and having heard and read CS saying he created the Cobra, I believe using the word "create" is a bit strong for what he did. Dell assembles computers from outsourced parts as do dozens of other companies but I don't think Dell claims their computers are original creations. But, as you said, CS has a lot of trademark law on his side and that's the way it is. Who knows, if CS had not shoe-horned a Ford V8 into an A.C. Ace, someone else might have come along and slipped a 426 hemi into a Metropolitan Nash and we would be driving replicas of that. Then again, maybe not.

[1ntCobra]

The first cars were shipped from AC with AC nose badges, which were removed. The original replacement nose badges said "AC Shelby Cobra". At least they did not try to replace the AC logo'ed pedals.

Interestingly, I don't think Dell tries to put a sticker over the word Intel on the CPU...

[JBo]

Al Gore invented "THE" internet

[VRM]

David Healey did it first - 'Powered by Nash'.

Steve

[What'saCobra?]

Great stuff! You'se guys are too much...

i suppose van Gogh simply assembled and re-arranged a few bits of canvas and pigments such that the beauty simply became apparent. But, Gogh was certainly the creator, if not the Creator.

Similarly, one might insist that Michelangelo's DAVID was already within the stone, before it was shaped. Perhaps Michey only re-arranged or removed the waste materials?
See: http://www.econ.ohio-state.edu/jhm/arch/david/David.htm

So, certainly CS was not the first to use the moniker to describe a hot shot beautiful two-seater; that is reserved to the 1955/6 Chris-Craft's beautiful and very expensive Cobra speed-boat.

And there were other Cobras; engines, radios and lots of other stuff before and after 1962. Only Caroll's Cobra won the World Championships.

Rather obviously, the essential and detail design was AC, particularly if you look carefully at the RuddSpeed body changes, FORD engine use and various modifications. Of course, i realize the modifications and necessary improvements made by Remmington and his team during testing and the race seasons. After all, Phil recently signed my old copy of the dealers parts manual and we talked at length about his practical engineering approach to problem solving, both with Shelby and just previously to SA at Princeton Street with the Scarab's of Baron Lance Reventlow.

But, Shel' made it happen, to his everlasting credit in my view. Over-bearing personality be hanged. It doesn't count much in the end.

For this point, i am reminded of the Churchill story about his encounter with David Inches (family butler):

"Winston Churchill: You're very rude to me, Inches.
David Inches: You're very rude to me, sir.
Winston Churchill: Yes but I am a great man!
[Churchill leaves]
David Inches: No, you're not. You're a stupid ole bugger."

"Winston Churchill [subsequent and unrelated quote]:
I've lived too long, I'm in the ruck, I've drunk too deeply of the cup,
I cannot spend, I cannot fruck, I'm down and out! I'm buggered up!"

More or less covers the waterfront, doesn't it?
---------------
Can we get a group rate on the chemistry, Mr. T?

[Trevor Legate]

"a group rate on the chemistry"?? Steady old chap, I may have a very dodgy reutation but I don't want to get in that kinda business, know wha ah meen?

but see me later - gotta some good s**t - comes from Mexico :-)

[What'saCobra?]

About the only things we have from Mexico here are a currently over-rated swine flu and many future democrat voters, both trying to reduce us back to a 3rd rate economy along with the dem party leadership's quest for ultimate power.

Don't worry. Chevrolet will be forced to drop the Corvette in the name of emissions and social justice. Along with pick-ups being disallowed for the general population that doesn't get a government license to purchase one, there will be many changes not yet envisioned by the deluded and addle-brained emotional basket-cases that voted for this nincompoop.

Me? i like good beer. The first is the best and for me the second is the last. Motorcycles bite, y'know.

[Don]

Was the Buchanan the first to use " Cobra "

http://www.v8vantage.com/buchananmot...an%20Cobra.htm

[1ntCobra]

Originally Posted by Don

Was the Buchanan the first to use " Cobra "

http://www.v8vantage.com/buchananmot...an%20Cobra.htm

If you read some of the Cobra books you would know that there was a defunct automotive Cobra trademark at the time Shelby originally applied for the Cobra trademark.

http://crosleyautoclub.com/EngineTre...ng_Tree-1.html

Heck that might even be mentioned in Trevor's books.

[hurricaneharold]

Originally Posted by Trevor Legate

The 260 and 289-powered Cobras were sold as both Shelby (in the USA) and AC (rest of the world)

The 427 was only ever a Shelby Cobra.

very simple - end of story.

Very well said Trevor and lump it or like it they were all built by AC !!

[hurricaneharold]

Originally Posted by CobraEd

If Shelby was never in the picture at all (hypotheticaly), the AC Ace would just be another forgotten British car like the Austin Healy, the Triumph, and the MG. There would have never been a "Cobra"


.

Who knows, AC might have found another engine supplier.

[What'saCobra?]

"The 260 and 289-powered Cobras were sold as both Shelby (in the USA) and AC (rest of the world)."

... perhaps might ought more precisely to be phrased:

The 260 and 289-powered Cobras were sold as both AC's and later Shelby's (in the USA) and AC's (rest of the world).

[Trevor Legate]

They were AC's when it was useful for them to be AC's and Shelby's at all other times....

[What'saCobra?]

THAT is the precise reason for any variances in nomenclature: opportunity. The Man would ride any horse, not only the one that invited him to the rodeo. Opportunity never needeth knocke twiceth at His door.

All hat and no cattle, doesn't really apply to the gentleman; surely because he was really one fine sob driver of both good and difficult cars and men.