COBRA 'DROP IN ANY MAIL BOX" medallion and key chain

[Dan Case]

Here's a sample of a original key chain and factory key set for a CSX2201 and later Cobra 1963-64. Take notice of the Ford ignition key. Cars before CSX2201 used a British Lucas brand ignition switch and key. I have no idea when this was introduced but the medallion art is the same as the S1CS-C mascot emblem introduced with CSX2133 being the first known car to get them.







Its return address is in Venice. They are plated brass or maybe bronze. Lost key sets could be mailed back to Shelby American with the presumed idea they could get the keys to the owner. Automobile insurance companies and some clubs use to provide that key return service.

As far as I know they were included in new Cobra purchases mid 1963 and 1964 until the move to Imperial Highway 1965. After the move there was a new Imperial Highway return address version.

The current auction offering (early November 2020) is missing the chain and ring clasp. Intact original factory key return key fobs and chains are rare. Most I have seen had little plating left on the medallion. Some were severely worn down by years of riding in pockets with other metal. A really nice one has been, on my scale, very expensive since the 1980s.

There was a very different version made in pewter sold as an accessory concurrent to the brass one with new cars. The pewter accessory does not have a mailing address on them.

[98SVT - was 06GT]

1002? A SA office? The production buildings were 1038 and 1042. There was also one across the field on Carter Ave but it is gone today and the road has been renamed Jefferson Way.

[A-Snake]

The keychain version used after the move to LAX did not use the same art work for the Cobra emblem. I wonder why?

[A-Snake]

1002? A SA office? The production buildings were 1038 and 1042. There was also one across the field on Carter Ave but it is gone today and the road has been renamed Jefferson Way.

That address 'error' of 1002 occurred on other items produced by SAI, including the Cobra owners dash plaque that customers ordered after purchase.

[deathsled]

1002? A SA office? The production buildings were 1038 and 1042. There was also one across the field on Carter Ave but it is gone today and the road has been renamed Jefferson Way.

Maybe a rented space to collect mail?  Mistakes abound on such things such as my Hi Performance Motors Ray Wolff business card that spells "Carrol" Shelby instead of Carroll...And this is an original card from Mr. Wolff's estate.  So who knows.

[deathsled]

Winning bid:US $4,161.11

[Side-Oilers]

I guess that typo makes the "drop in any mailbox" not so much of a guarantee to get your keys back. 

[69mach351w]

Winning bid:US $4,161.11

Someone has some deep pockets

[Dan Case]

I guess that typo makes the "drop in any mailbox" not so much of a guarantee to get your keys back.

There is no address typographical error. 1002 Princeton was just one of several business mailing addresses Mr. Shelby, Carroll Shelby Enterprises, and Shelby American had. They also had TELEX addresses.

[69mach351w]

Dan, Thanks and I hope I speak for everyone. Without the Wealth of Knowledge of members like you, along with others, we'd never learn and make good "educated", with emphasis on educated, decisions.

[Dan Case]

Dan, Thanks...

You are welcome.

[Side-Oilers]

Yes, thanks Dan.  I wasn't aware of that.
Van

[Dan Case]

Yes, thanks Dan.   
Van

You are welcome.

[64cobra]

Nos in the box still

[64cobra]