So have drooled over Shelby cars since I was 15.....I’m guessing that is a very common theme here in this group.
About 12 years ago I purchased a kit cobra since a real one was just out of reach. It has been a blast.
I took my son to a ford car show several years ago and asked him to show me his favorite car. He picked a 66 GT 350. it had original paint that was a little crackled and the seats were very tired and torn.......it was a BEAUTY!!!
He was about 14 at the time and suggested we trade the cobra in on the white with blue stripes fastback. I let him know that we needed about five more kit cobras to trade to be in the price range of what he liked. He is 19 now and it’s still funny.
I found an ad sometime back and spoke with the owner (he bought it in 1969 or 70, you can reference your guide). I contacted Howard Pardee to confirm that it was a legit car.
So, my son and I made the approximately 1,200 mile trip last week to get the car.
We left early Tuesday from Gulf Shores, Alabama and drove to friends who live in Springfield, VA.
We slept a few hours and drove up to northern PA Wednesday at 4:30am. Traffic and country roads turned it into about noon arrival time.
We met the husband and wife who have owned the car for over 50 years! Amazing really.
It’s was an original Hertz car and about 40 years ago, he modified it to look like a 65MR model. Including a repaint of white with guardsman blue stripes.
The original engine took a break long ago and he replaced it. I have many spares including a hipo 289 from a gt convertible. I also have the radiator and both the original front and rear glass.
I’m not sure what we will do next with the car but I do want to accumulate all the correct pieces.
I may have a lead on the original auto transmission, but I still need the following.
Magnum 500 wheels
Autolite carb
Distributor
Cobra tach
Rear brake drum assemblies
T cobra oil pan
Steering wheel and center cap
Single reservoir master cylinder
Carpeting
Seat belts
Heater box
Valve covers
If you have any of these original items socked away and are willing to part with them, let me know.
I’m not sure we will begin changing anything right away except the engine.
It’s really too much for the street and runs on 110 race fuel.
I’m not sure of the horsepower but it makes my 425hp cobra feel like a Prius in comparison.
So for all you veteran shelby owners, expect a lot of questions!