Monday 7th December 2009

Fliptop Cobra Up For Grabs

Legendary Shelby Cobra 427 prototype goes under the hammer

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We don't need much of an excuse to feature anything vaguely Cobra-shaped here at PH, so no apologies for showing you the 1964 Shelby 427 Cobra prototype that helped to shape the legend.

The one-of-a-kind 1964 Shelby Cobra 427 Prototype is nicknamed 'The Fliptop' for its unique clamshell design with flip-up front and rear sections.

The car's design, build, development and racing were spearheaded by racing driver Ken Miles and after months of testing and modifications, serial number CXS 2196 became the only prototype produced for the famed 427 Cobras that followed.

The car was raced in the 1960s at Riverside, Sebring and Nassau, and over the years has also become a regular competitor at many of the world's historic races including Laguna Seca, Monterey Historics and Goodwood Festival of Speed.

So why are we showing it to you today? Yep, you guessed it - the car looking for a new home and will go under the hammer at RM's Automobiles of Arizona event on January 22.

"Today, the well-documented Flip-top sports its original livery of Guardman Blue with white stripes and black interior, and is unquestionably one of the most desirable Shelby Cobras ever built," say RM, adding that an estimate of the price is available "on request".

We could have asked, but Monday mornings are depressing enough...

[mneame]

Anyone want to buy a kidney, liver and lung? Wish I'd won the Euro Millions lottery on Friday.

[chevy-stu]

Is the big oval mouth at the front a slightly different shape to allow the front to flip down ?

[mneame]

Looks angled to me so it doesn't hit the floor when it's opend up.

[dinkel]

4 million anyone?

[swisschris]

I think you've found Picture of the Week...

[Cobra Andy]

mneame said:

Looks angled to me so it doesn't hit the floor when it's opend up.

The usual opening for the oil cooler has been cut off giving it that slant, which yes obviously stops the nose hitting the floor.

[Turbobanana]

Looks great, but still not as cool as the filthy 427 at the end of The Gumball Rally

[Papa Hotel]

Yes.

[chevy-stu]

Cobra Andy said:

mneame said:

Looks angled to me so it doesn't hit the floor when it's opend up.

The usual opening for the oil cooler has been cut off giving it that slant, which yes obviously stops the nose hitting the floor.

That's what it is, the oil cooler bit is missing... I knew the front looked different as well as the slant for clearance...


Still as hell..

[k-ink]

It's an original and totally unique Cobra.

So you can only vote a 9 or 10!

[L100NYY]

Turbobanana said:

Looks great, but still not as cool as the filthy 427 at the end of The Gumball Rally

[Belfast Boy]

Diggin the old skool spot lamps!

[saviour]

I have a few penny's in my 'pink pig money box', come on, lets dig deep and buy her, we could each have her for a week end on a rota.
As above, car of the month. 10

[aeropilot]

L100NYY said:

Turbobanana said:

Looks great, but still not as cool as the filthy 427 at the end of The Gumball Rally

Counldn't agree more with that sentiment.....

But, is that one CSX 3243 or CSX 3255

[L100NYY]

aeropilot said:

L100NYY said:

Turbobanana said:

Looks great, but still not as cool as the filthy 427 at the end of The Gumball Rally

Counldn't agree more with that sentiment.....

But, is that one CSX 3243 or CSX 3255

I can never which one they used for which scene!

[aeropilot]

L100NYY said:

aeropilot said:

L100NYY said:

Turbobanana said:

Looks great, but still not as cool as the filthy 427 at the end of The Gumball Rally

Counldn't agree more with that sentiment.....

But, is that one CSX 3243 or CSX 3255

I can never which one they used for which scene!

It's CSX3255 in that shot above, which was the less used of the two (owned by a Duane Bowers at the time), but CSX3243 (owned by a Les Lindley at the time) was badly damaged when it crashed into the central channel of the LA river in that scene. Scenes in the river were finished with CSX3255.

The giveaway clue between the two cars in whatever scene is that CSX3255 had little 'GT500' NACA ducts near the rear edge of the bonnet on each side, which you can seen in that still.
CSX3255 was restored and repainted after filming to black paint with gold finished Halibrands.

[bwwooster]

How nice of you not to include the nickname the Shelby guys gave it...

[aeropilot]

bwwooster said:

How nice of you not to include the nickname the Shelby guys gave it...

Was a ste nickname though

[vintageracer01]

k-ink said:

It's an original and totally unique Cobra.

So you can only vote a 9 or 10!

What do you mean by "vote a 9" ???
This is the coolest Cobra IMO.
Give it a minimum 12! out of 10, or so!
I love that thing!