289 and or 427 Cobra owned by Leno

[BGlover67]

I was in a discussion with a good friend today and the subject of whether or not Jay Leno owns an original 289 and/or a 427 Cobra is up to debate.  I have seen websites make mention that he does, but no-one is sure of their CSX numbers or even have a picture of one.  Without giving up the man's privacy, does he own an original of either?  I know he temporarily had a 427 SC (CSX3010) car parked at his facility when he California fires raged on:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVxSqnNQR9s

[shelbydoug]

As far as I know, it's a replica 427SC made by a guy in Minnesota.

He commissioned it I believe before there were any continuation cars being made. So must be late '80s or so?

All things considered, I'm not sure why he just didn't go out and buy a real one at the time?

Ask Rick Kopec. He knows the details on that car and was consulted by Leno at the time.

[A-Snake]

He has an aluminum 427 replica that he had built many years ago. He also has a black 289 replica Cobra that he had Dave Wagner build. Leno does not have an original Cobra.

[BGlover67]

Thanks guys, that's what Nick had told me, but I had believed the bad info that the internet loves to give out. 

[rkm]

Jay Leno's 427 was built by Mark Geirish of M and L motor works in Manatouic, Wisconsin in the mid 80's. It originally had a 427 side oiler, but he later installed a SOHC motor. No idea if they are still around, but I think Mark got into Ferrari restorations. Leno told me the story at SAAC 8 in Dearborn. At the time I had no idea who he was and we talked for about 45 minutes. The following week he was the guest host on Johnny Carson.

[Don Johnston]

I believe the town is spelled "Manitowoc", just north of Sheboygan.  I visited there during SAAC-39 at Road America with Hawaii friends who were from there originally and keep a late model Shelby GT at there summer farm.

Interesting information on Leno's replicas.   

[98SVT - was 06GT]

Yes Gerish built the car. Jay bought it because at the time he could not afford an original. Gerish today is running a panel beating school. We used Jay & his Cobra in a cover shot for Mustang Illustrated. It was shot at Shelby's Chrysler skunkworks in Whittier and Bill Norton's 66 GT350 Convertible was the main car in the shot.
http://www.aametalshaping.com/about/mark-gerisch/

[shelbydoug]

Yes Gerish built the car. Jay bought it because at the time he could not afford an original. Gerish today is running a panel beating school. We used Jay & his Cobra in a cover shot for Mustang Illustrated. It was shot at Shelby's Chrysler skunkworks in Whittier and Bill Norton's 66 GT350 Convertible was the main car in the shot.
http://www.aametalshaping.com/about/mark-gerisch/

I would have thought it would have been more expensive to build one from the ground up then to buy one?

[rkm]

Back then it cost about $250,000. Don't ask me how I know.

[98SVT - was 06GT]

I would have thought it would have been more expensive to build one from the ground up then to buy one?

ve

Nope - which is why you have air cars floating around. If I remember a Garish car was 40-60 and a 427 200+ at that time - early-mid 80s.

Today with the Kirkhams having stamped sections rather than rolled they are even more affordable - and accurate. http://www.kirkhammotorsports.com/book_aoe/aoe_18.pdf

[shelbydoug]

I can understand why so many Kirkhams don't get painted. No one wants to cover up the work.

They refer to the chassis as "billet". "Billet" as in aluminum?

I don't know if I would feel worthy of owning a piece of art like this? Saying "amazing" seems so inadequate?

[98SVT - was 06GT]

They refer to the chassis as "billet". "Billet" as in aluminum?

That book  https://kirkhammotorsports.com/book_aoe/  I linked was done for Larry Ellison. It has a billet aluminum chassis. It's worth looking at each section to see what's possible with cubic dollars.

[shelbydoug]

They refer to the chassis as "billet". "Billet" as in aluminum?

That book  https://kirkhammotorsports.com/book_aoe/  I linked was done for Larry Ellison. It has a billet aluminum chassis. It's worth looking at each section to see what's possible with cubic dollars.

The 289's weigh in about 2200 pounds as is. The 427's a bit heavier.

Go with aluminum heads and block if need be.

Steel is ok for me. I need to hold on tight as is. The windshield is a little low for me. The wind keeps tearing off my cap and sunglasses.

Lowering the seats is about all that I would need like in my Pantera. Then I'd look like a 12 year old who just stole the car and can just barely see over the steering wheel.

I actually like that. It's like Larry Johnson with the Granny disguise lurking behind the wheel.

Is that considered "unstable personality behavior"?

[98SVT - was 06GT]

They refer to the chassis as "billet". "Billet" as in aluminum?

That book  https://kirkhammotorsports.com/book_aoe/  I linked was done for Larry Ellison. It has a billet aluminum chassis. It's worth looking at each section to see what's possible with cubic dollars.

The 289's weigh in about 2200 pounds as is. The 427's a bit heavier.

I couldn't find the weight of the billet car. I imagine it's heavier than a standard 427. Yes aluminum is lighter but there is a lot more of it there than a few steel tubes.

[shelbydoug]

They refer to the chassis as "billet". "Billet" as in aluminum?

That book  https://kirkhammotorsports.com/book_aoe/  I linked was done for Larry Ellison. It has a billet aluminum chassis. It's worth looking at each section to see what's possible with cubic dollars.

The 289's weigh in about 2200 pounds as is. The 427's a bit heavier.

I couldn't find the weight of the billet car. I imagine it's heavier than a standard 427. Yes aluminum is lighter but there is a lot more of it there than a few steel tubes.

Did they even weigh it?