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Shelby American Commemorates 50Th Anniversary Fia Cobra With Special Edition Car

CaitlinC

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CaitlinC Team Shelby New Member

CaitlinC

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NEWS RELEASE

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

More Information: Scott Black | TPRM | (214) 520-3430 | sblack@tprm.com

 

SHELBY AMERICAN COMMEMORATES 50TH ANNIVERSARY FIA COBRA WITH SPECIAL EDITION CAR

Iconic Shelby FIA Cobra to be Celebrated

 

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Scottsdale, Ariz. – Jan. 17, 2014 – In 1964, Shelby American, today a wholly owned subsidiary of Carroll Shelby International Inc. (CSBI:PK) introduced the FIA version of the small block Cobra, which competed in the 1964 World Manufacturers Championship series against marques like Aston Martin, Jaguar and Corvette. To celebrate the birth of the 289 Ford powered roadsters, Shelby American will offer 50 limited edition continuation (CSX7000) Shelby 289 FIA Cobras. Each will be painted “Viking Blue” with FIA stripes and roundels, feature a black FIA interior, special billet anniversary badges, original style wheels and a variety of additional options. The 50th Anniversary FIA Shelby Cobra will be introduced at the annual Barrett-Jackson Auction in Scottsdale, Ariz, on Friday, Jan. 17, 2014.

 

“The 289 FIA Shelby Cobras were among the most important cars in American racing history,” said John Luft, president of Shelby American. “The FIA Cobras built during that period were piloted by racing legends including Ken Miles, Dan Gurney, Phil Hill and Bob Bondurant. Thus, some of the most revered drivers in the sport put the 289 FIA Cobra into the winner’s circle. Combining a robust, powerful American engine with a lightweight chassis was sheer brilliance. Shelby’s formula still resonates today and is followed by automakers worldwide.”

 

Shelby American built the 289 FIA Cobras for racing; modifications included a new dash, widened front and rear fenders, cut-back doors, new dampers, racing wheels featuring the pin-drive hub, oil cooler scoops and a competition spec 289 small block engine.

 

Today, the CSX7000 Continuation Shelby Cobra 289 FIA’s are component vehicles that can be fitted with a proper drive train by a customer or automotive professional. Each car is built to order and delivered as a rolling chassis, less drive train, with a Shelby American issued MSO.

 

“Our CSX7000 cars incorporate safety and performance improvements, without sacrificing driving excitement or originality,” added Vince LaViolette, senior designer and head of R&D at Shelby American. “With a small block V8 pushing only 2,100 lbs., it’s the lightest Cobra ever built with an incredible power-to-weight ratio. This allows the small block Cobra to dive deep into corners and pull through with incredible precision and accuracy.”

 

The Continuation Shelby Cobra 289 FIA vehicles retain everything from the authentic style suspension to the graceful body lines, but are upgraded to contemporary standards. Shelby American uses modern disc brakes, a stronger frame and the bodies are available in either aluminum or fiberglass. The 50th Anniversary Edition also features a complete exhaust for a small block Ford V8, a special fitted car cover and optional detachable steering wheel.

 

“The importance and historical significance of these cars was the fact that they brought a small shop in Southern California to the forefront of international racing on two continents within the same year,” said Shelby Expert and SAAC Member Jeff Gagnon. “Shelby American took it to Ferrari, Corvette and other well-supplied, well-funded and established race teams and manufacturers. That was no small feat, even in those simpler times.”

 

The 50th Anniversary CSX7000 FIA Continuation Cobra will begin at $94,995 for a fiberglass or $159,995 for an aluminum bodied car, excluding drive train. Each will be documented in our ‘World Registry’ by Shelby American. Cobras can be purchased through a network of Shelby American Cobra dealers. Information about options and availability can be found at http://www.shelbyamerican.com/50fia.asp

 

About Shelby American, Inc. and Carroll Shelby Licensing

Founded by legend Carroll Shelby, Shelby American manufactures and markets performance vehicles and related products. The company builds authentic continuation Cobras, including the 427 S/C, 289 FIA and 289 street car component vehicles; it offers the Shelby GT, 1000, GT350, GT500 Super Snake and GTS post-title packages for the 2005-2014 Ford Mustang. Shelby American also builds the Shelby Raptor muscle truck and Shelby Focus ST hot hatch. For more information, visit www.shelbyamerican.com. Shelby American is a subsidiary of Carroll Shelby International Inc. (CSBI.PK). Carroll Shelby Licensing Inc., also a wholly owned division, is the exclusive holder of Carroll Shelby's trademarks and vehicle design rights. It also holds trademark rights for Shelby-branded apparel, accessories and collectibles. Info is at www.shelbylicensing.com.

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ageishecker Team Shelby Member

ageishecker

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She is beautiful.

Question:

Can someone explain why they are sold without engine's?

I would think that Ford, like then, would supply the power and considering

Shelby and Ford have reunited........You get the point.

 

Philip

It all has to do with safety and testing requirements for a manufactured vehicle. This would never meet today's requirements. Someone else may want to offer the details.

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shelbymotorsports Team Shelby Addict

shelbymotorsports

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She is beautiful.

Question:

Can someone explain why they are sold without engine's?

I would think that Ford, like then, would supply the power and considering

Shelby and Ford have reunited........You get the point.

 

Philip

Quite simple, if SAI was to install a drivetrain it would have to meet current EPA rules along with having to be Crashworthiness tested. By selling these as "rollers" the Federal government stays out of the equation.

 

Steve

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Don Johnston Team Shelby Member

Don Johnston

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SA is no longer a manufacturer with a MSO designation since the end of the Series 1 program. Therefore they can only issue roller units (body, frame, axles, wiring, wheels, etc.) but no power plant. This has been true for all the Cobras roadsters out of the SA Las Vegas plant. As pointed out, they would have to meet C.A.R.B., EPA, D.O.T. regulations for everything from crash tests to smog control. Not happening. Dropping an aftermarket engine in by another shop like Denbeste or even the SA Performance shop or a DIY project is the buyers option. This is also why all the late model Shelby Mustangs out of the shop are post title cars manufactured by Ford and modified by SA.

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twobjshelbys Team Shelby Enthusiast

twobjshelbys

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SA is no longer a manufacturer with a MSO designation since the end of the Series 1 program. Therefore they can only issue roller units (body, frame, axles, wiring, wheels, etc.) but no power plant. This has been true for all the Cobras roadsters out of the SA Las Vegas plant. As pointed out, they would have to meet C.A.R.B., EPA, D.O.T. regulations for everything from crash tests to smog control. Not happening. Dropping an aftermarket engine in by another shop like Denbeste or even the SA Performance shop or a DIY project is the buyers option. This is also why all the late model Shelby Mustangs out of the shop are post title cars manufactured by Ford and modified by SA.

 

That is so not true. Shelby is still a manufacturer and every cobra has a Shelby MSO. When he was still alive they were signed by Carroll. What was the last csx number actually signed by carroll?

 

The MSO and the roller are not related. It is true that the power train cannot be installed but that is not u I questions to Shelby or cobras. Factory five makes lots of replicas and none come with power train. In fact new rules mostly instigated by California rules prohibit the dealer from any ownership up the chain of the power train installing it. Some dealers were having corporate subsidiaries doing the complete package and that can no longer be done. Gory details in the cobra forum about ca sb100

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mikeljgt500kr Team Shelby Member

mikeljgt500kr

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Well, I sat in one today at the SAI display at BJ, very little room between your feet when on the gas and brake, in fact, mine were rubbing side by side, same with the brake and clutch. Also, one side of my foot hitting the tranny tunnel on the gas side. I think it was a 6000 series, which is supposed to be roomier than the other series and huge compared to the originals. I am only 5'10" and have only size 12s. I don't know how regular people drive them.

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shelbymotorsports Team Shelby Addict

shelbymotorsports

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That is so not true. Shelby is still a manufacturer and every cobra has a Shelby MSO. When he was still alive they were signed by Carroll. What was the last csx number actually signed by carroll?

 

The MSO and the roller are not related. It is true that the power train cannot be installed but that is not u I questions to Shelby or cobras. Factory five makes lots of replicas and none come with power train. In fact new rules mostly instigated by California rules prohibit the dealer from any ownership up the chain of the power train installing it. Some dealers were having corporate subsidiaries doing the complete package and that can no longer be done. Gory details in the cobra forum about ca sb100

Good question Tony and one that has eluded me, so far. Carroll would sign MSO's in advance but from all the digging I've done, it appears that SAI ran out of CHS signed MSO's before his passing.

 

SAI keeps a copy of MSO's in each Cobra build folder so it is possible that with a little time it can be determined when Carroll stopped signing and John Luft took over the signing of MSO's.

 

Steve

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twobjshelbys Team Shelby Enthusiast

twobjshelbys

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Good question Tony and one that has eluded me, so far. Carroll would sign MSO's in advance but from all the digging I've done, it appears that SAI ran out of CHS signed MSO's before his passing.

 

SAI keeps a copy of MSO's in each Cobra build folder so it is possible that with a little time it can be determined when Carroll stopped signing and John Luft took over the signing of MSO's.

 

Steve

 

It would be a piece of Cobra history to know the last one he actually signed. Mine came with a copy but I sent it on and unfortunately didn't copy the copy. Did he sign the MSOs for the Shelby Series 1's?

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twobjshelbys Team Shelby Enthusiast

twobjshelbys

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Are these "Rollers" or are they "Turn Key" Cobras

 

I'm assuming you are talking of a "put the key in and drive away" like you do with your GT500. There is no such thing as a "Turn Key" cobra. From anyone. Similarly all of the Superformance and Factory Five cars are sold without drive train (engine/transmission). The Superformance Cobras are also sold as rollers, as is the Superformance GT40 and the Superformance Gran Sport Corvette. The whole "roller plus engine" thing (after it is done) opens up a whole bunch of registration issues in almost every state, and it makes re-registering a car from one state into a different state somewhat problematic due to the different rules everywhere. It's a mess.

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ageishecker Team Shelby Member

ageishecker

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Well, I sat in one today at the SAI display at BJ, very little room between your feet when on the gas and brake, in fact, mine were rubbing side by side, same with the brake and clutch. Also, one side of my foot hitting the tranny tunnel on the gas side. I think it was a 6000 series, which is supposed to be roomier than the other series and huge compared to the originals. I am only 5'10" and have only size 12s. I don't know how regular people drive them.

I think the 4000/6000 series are the same size as the originals. I'm 5'10" with size 10s and find the fit just fine.

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twobjshelbys Team Shelby Enthusiast

twobjshelbys

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I think the 4000/6000 series are the same size as the originals. I'm 5'10" with size 10s and find the fit just fine.

The foot box is tight, I drove mine with my big left big toe on the clutch and my right big toe on the brake, and the ball of my foot on the accelerator thingie (calling it a pedal would be giving it more credit than it is due) The vertical and horizontal offset of the brake to the accelerator insured no interferance, and basically guaranteed there would be no heel-toe shifting. It was a very tight configuration but once I got used to it very comfortable. I used my regular sneakers but some say "driving shoes" made it even better.

 

Even more "intimidating" to most drivers is the fact that pedals are offset to the left of the transmission tunnel. When I first tried it on I was intimidated but was assured by Gary that you'd not notice after you drive it for a few minutes. Indeed that was the case.

 

The thing about a Cobra that noone will deny it is a "Man's Car". The clutch is immensely stiff, the brakes need two feet full on to bring it to an emergency (or 100-0) stop, and the steering is barely able to turn the car at a stand still (you need to be moving to turn the wheel). But that's the same as a 65 Mustang.

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David Hawkins Team Shelby Addict

David Hawkins

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I'm assuming you are talking of a "put the key in and drive away" like you do with your GT500. There is no such thing as a "Turn Key" cobra. From anyone. Similarly all of the Superformance and Factory Five cars are sold without drive train (engine/transmission). The Superformance Cobras are also sold as rollers, as is the Superformance GT40 and the Superformance Gran Sport Corvette. The whole "roller plus engine" thing (after it is done) opens up a whole bunch of registration issues in almost every state, and it makes re-registering a car from one state into a different state somewhat problematic due to the different rules everywhere. It's a mess.

If that is true then this is a GREAT deal considering Planet Cobra sells "Rollers" for $139K.

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twobjshelbys Team Shelby Enthusiast

twobjshelbys

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If that is true then this is a GREAT deal considering Planet Cobra sells "Rollers" for $139K.

 

Prices are on the Shelby site. About 95K for a glass car, 160K for an alloy body (base, not including options.) Leather is an option, but as I recall the originals had vinyl seats!)

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