Shelby announces the Cobra 427 50th Anniversary

Shelby American, a division of Carroll Shelby International, is set to end 2014 just as it began: by presenting a special commemorative edition for the fiftieth anniversary of the Cobra. In January it showed us the 289 FIA, and this week it has revealed the revival of the 427, the most powerful version of this charismatic sports car. Just like the 289, Shelby will build only fifty units of this limited edition.

Its defining features are the combination of the Guardsman Blue exterior colour with longitudinal stripes in Wimbledon White, black leather upholstery, exclusive badges on both the bodywork and the cabin, high-quality materials for the latter and, if the customer wishes, a set of optional parts that the Shelby Engine Company division is developing specifically for this edition.

Just like the 289 FIA, these 427s will feature disc brakes and other more modern components.

Standard equipment includes components more typical of a modern vehicle, such as disc brakes, as well as a reinforced structure, a body (whose design remains identical to the original) in aluminium or fibreglass, instrumentation specific to this version and a fuel tank inspired by those used in competition, among other elements.

Just like the 289 FIA, Shelby will sell the 427 50th Anniversary only as a chassis with a 1965 certificate of authenticity. The powertrain can be installed by an authorised dealer or an independent tuner. A 427 with a fibreglass body has a starting price of $119,995 (a little over €98,700 at current exchange rates), while the aluminium-bodied version costs $179,995 (€148,000).

The limited edition is distinguished by these badges as well as by other features.

The fifty examples to be built, identified with codes from CSX4500 to CSX4599, will be added to Shelby’s World Registry, which also lists the 343 427-engined cars produced in the sixties. They will be unveiled to the public at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, Arizona, which begins on 13 January.

Source | Shelby American