This book tells the complex saga of a sports car that was created in the early 1960s as a result of an unlikely collaboration between a plain-talking ex-racing driver from Texas and a conservative British automobile manufacturer, funded by one of the giants of the industry, the Ford Motor Company. Carroll Shelby, AC Cars, and Ford came together to create a car called the Cobra, based on the AC Ace roadster that had been in production since 1954. When the Shelby Cobra was created, it was far from state-of-the-art, but the ...
Read More
This book tells the complex saga of a sports car that was created in the early 1960s as a result of an unlikely collaboration between a plain-talking ex-racing driver from Texas and a conservative British automobile manufacturer, funded by one of the giants of the industry, the Ford Motor Company. Carroll Shelby, AC Cars, and Ford came together to create a car called the Cobra, based on the AC Ace roadster that had been in production since 1954. When the Shelby Cobra was created, it was far from state-of-the-art, but the use of a new series of Ford V8 engines saw the lightweight car annihilate the Chevrolet Corvette in American sports car racing. By adding aerodynamic bodywork, the Daytona Cobra Coupe arrived in Europe to contest the FIA World Championship and took victory in the GT category in 1965, making Shelby American the first (and only) USA-based manufacturer to achieve this feat. In order to capitalize on this success, even greater power was required and the car was developed to take a huge 7-liter engine that proved to be a triumph of horsepower over handling - thus the 427 Cobra became an overnight legend, establishing new performance records and creating a reputation for being more than a little tricky to drive. The era of the Cobra was brief - production ended at Shelby American during 1966 and at AC Cars in 1968 where they built their own final version, the AC289 Sports. Just over 1000 Cobras were built during that time but the final cars proved difficult to sell, their vintage qualities deterring potential owners. Carroll Shelby closed his company and went to Africa while AC developed other models, but the Cobra was not quite finished yet. Within a matter of a few years, a new market for the car was created as the demand for affordable kit cars grew. The most popular model by far was the Cobra and many thousands were built, with the result that both AC Cars and Carroll Shelby put their own versions back into production. And then the arguments really started... If it was an improbable car over forty years ago, it is even more implausible today, but the remarkable Cobra, in one form or another, is still with us. It may be dead, but it just won't lie down!
Read Less
Add this copy of Cobra: the First 40 Years to cart. $63.29, very good condition, Sold by Brit Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Milton Keynes, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2006 by Touchstone Books Ltd.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. Simply Brit – welcome to our online used book store, where affordability meets great quality. Dive into a world of captivating reads without breaking the bank. We take pride in offering a wide selection of used books, from classics to hidden gems, ensuring there's something for every literary palate. All orders are shipped within 24 hours and our lightning fast-delivery within 48 hours coupled with our prompt customer service ensures a smooth journey from ordering to delivery. Discover the joy of reading with us, your trusted source for affordable books that do not compromise on quality.
Add this copy of Cobra-the First 40 Years to cart. $133.49, good condition, Sold by 84 Charing Cross Road Books rated 2.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Cambridge, CAMBS, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2006 by Touchstone Books Ltd.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Good Condition in Good jacket. 9780955102004. Motor Cars. VG-/Good+ 1st edition 2006 substantial hardback, unclipped DJ, many photos throughout. Mild corner and spine end rubbing and bumping wear to boards, small tears to rear corners of jacket with a rubbed area to lower rear corner of DJ spine, near VG and otherwise unmarked internally. Size: 283\nx 290\nx 28mm. 288 pages. Quantity Available: 1. Shipped Weight: 1-2 kilos. Category: Automobiles & Vehicles; Motor Cars; ISBN: 0955102006. ISBN/EAN: 9780955102004. Dewey Code: 629.2222. The book is available to view in-person at our Cambridge hub. The photos provided are of the actual book for sale, further condition-specific photos may be arranged upon request. Inventory No: 085405.
