Here’s something you don’t see every day on craigslist: a claimed 40-year owned 1966 AC Cobra roadster, seemingly in driver condition and untouched aside from a previous color change from green to red. The seller has listed it with an eye-watering asking price of $950,000, but why not swing for the fences when you’re sitting on one of the more desirable muscle cars ever made, parked like any other commuter car next to the gargantuan new Corvette? Find the listing here on craigslist in San Francisco, where the seller claims it’s been for quite some time after it was featured at the 1966 London Auto Show.
It really is remarkable to see a Cobra in this setting and reminds us that there was a time when these vehicles were otherwise used like your average Fox-body Mustang. The seller notes he has a deep paper trail for the Cobra along with all factory documents, and that it retains its original, numbers-matching 289 engine. It is a true British market car, so it retains its right-hand-drive steering configuration, which may actually cause some deep-pocketed Cobra enthusiasts to look for a different car given the aversion to RHD in the states. It wouldn’t bother me one bit, but I do wonder if it hurts the value a tad versus being sold overseas.
Still, I have a feeling this Cobra has a great story. Photos like these, which clearly show that the AC was never used as a trophy that can’t be handled or a garage queen that never gets any use aside from when it’s loaded on a trailer, reaffirm that some actual enthusiasts still own these cars rather than hedge fund managers-turned-car collectors. The seller notes the Cobra retains its original wire wheels and spline drives but that it currently rides on Halibrand Sunburst pin drive wheels. Mileage is low at 43,000 but the seller confirms it is still started up on regular basis. Which would you choose, the Cobra or the C8 Corvette?
It gets even better when you find out the seller has the original hardtop, in addition to the soft top. Seeing the exceedingly rare roof option just set on the side of the garage with boxes on top of it is a riot, and I applaud this owner for leaving the white-glove treatment to the wine and cheese crowd. To me, it says this is an owner who bought the Cobra because it was a hoot and a half to drive, not because it may someday be a good investment. Now, about the price: popular pricing guides confirm a mint condition 289 Cobra is worth well over one million at this point, and that a car in “Good” condition is worth $902,000 – so perhaps the ask here isn’t all that crazy after all.
I sorry but as much as I would love to own a C8 (and I would) I would kick that to the curb long before the Cobra. I know all of the arguments for the Chevy, faster, comfortable, warranty bla bla bla. That’s probably why that Corvette will never bring close to a million bucks. An aluminum small block Cobra has to be one of the best sports cars ever.
Not a Cobra, but an A. C. 289, I believe. Similar, but not quite a Cobra. Great car.
Research will prove you mistaken, it is a Cobra regardless of what continent it is on (then or now).
To truly enjoy a vehicle you must use it. No one will drive this it will go into some ones collection. Find a Canadian built Aurora Cobra. A great car you can enjoy w/o the worries.
An historic, million-dollar car and only 7 photos? I appreciate the “everyday Joe garage scene” – but take the giant effin’ bear out of the car and take some photos of the inside for eff’s sake. I own that car and dare to sell it, there’s going to be elevendyhundred photographs of everything.
For that reason alone I’m only going to offer $800,000. (Alsonotreally)
An important distinction is that this is not a CSX car, but rather a COB car meaning a British built variant. These British made cars are valued significantly lower than the US built CSX versions. Also a “427 body with a 289 engine” raises some flags as well. I would have this car inspected by a Shelby Cobra expert before dealing on it.
AC continued making Cobras that used the 427 body with the 289 after Shelby stopped production. I believe I once read they built around 28 but someone could correct me on that number.
It was 27 actually
Your first 2 sentences are 100% correct.
The car is 100% genuine, these were the last coil spring cars that AC wanted to get rid off when nobody wanted a 427, so they put a 289 in the last 27 cars & sold them in the UK & Europe.
I owned 6118 & 6119 several years ago. We converted 6118 into a 427 & I raced it for 3 years before buying a 289 to race.
To Brian Smith: you say this car is “not quite a Cobra”. The Shelby Club does acknowledge them as real Cobras. The only reason they were called “289”s as an official model name, is that by the time this car was built, Shelby had sold the name “Cobra” to Ford for one dollar.
To Sfm5: given all the inaccurate information about the Shelby AC Cobra in the United States, much of it propagated by Ol’ Shel himself, I don’t blame you for not having some Cobra facts right. Absolutely ALL real, original Shelby AC Cobras of the 1960s, including all CSX cars (Carroll Shelby Export…as in EXPORTED to the U.S.A.) were built by “the British”, at the AC factory in Thames-Ditton, Surrey, south of London. No Cobras were “U.S.-built”. Shelby American would receive complete cars minus engines and transmissions, first in Venice, CA, and then at the Los Angeles Airport.
You are correct, the bodies/chassis were all made in England, as you say, but the CSX cars were “finished” at various locations in California. The market sure knows the difference since there is about a $400k difference in valuation between a CSX and the equivalent COB/COX car (according to Hagerty price guide).
I worked on these cars(race preparation) and this is a mk3
427 body, chassis, suspension and 289 engine.
Definitely an AC Cobra
Interesting to me because I used to live in the bay area, both license plate frames are from a used car dealer that I believe went out of business 9-10 years ago.
I took a few pictures of this car at his house in 2011. Great car and a great owner. Interesting guy with a lot of racing under his belt. He also had a real GT40 he had gotten rid of right before I was at his house. He had the Ford GT at that time that he must have replaced with the C8.
Thanks for posting the pictures and a bit of the owner’s background.
Steve R
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40 years ago, these cost the same as an average new car would have been. Interesting purchase at the time, but I suspect the seller has never hungered for enough cash to get by. One of the few cars that buy and hold, has hugely paid off, made a wade of cash on this one. . Good thing he didn’t decide to use the money to buy a new 25th anniversary Vette instead.
I also will say the seller is one helluva guy and is recognized as an outstanding man in the community. He has shepherded many young men and was a revered wrestling coach. The car is legit and I just spoke
with him about it today. Do not say anything offensive about this man, it is undeserved.
I was all set to buy it,but then I noticed that it’s rhd.
Oh well……
Just reverse the image in photoshop and presto, LHD!
I would think it could be swapped to LHD if you really wanted to and had the resources to buy in the first place.
That would devalue the car quite a bit
These cars are more valuable in the UK with the steering wheel on the right side
They are also very nice car to drive.
I owned 6118 & 6119 before buying my 427
Im surprised that a 40 year owned California car has its black plates swapped for the common 7 digit generic plate.
Well that’s too much modification for me! Pass. Lol
Sorry, but I missed type of material of body, FG or aluminum?
Aluminum, it’s an original car
I honestly love the presentation. Kudos to the seller for treating a car as a car and not as a pure commodity. Ask is plenty high but I assume a serious buyer (most likely from a RHD country like Great Britain, Australia or Japan) will materialize sooner or later. GLWTS!
It’s an AC Cars 289 Sports Cobra. AC offered their own Cobra for sale with chassis numbered COB ( CObra Britain that were sold right hand drive in England ) and COX ( CObra eXport which were exported outside of England ). Early cars coffee were the “slabside” MKii, and later the coil spring 427 with the standard rear fenders or the narrow hip body as this car is made.
Since its not a Shelby CSX car they are slightly lower priced, but are still the same DNA.
Damn spellchecker added coffee when I posted, don’t know why ???
This car is an AC 289 Sports Cobra with the “narrow hips”
In addition to manufacturing for Shelby AC Cars offered the Cobra first in the MKii then the MKiii configuration.
Cars were serialized COB ( CObra Britain ) and COX ( CObra eXport ).
They used the 289 engines due to taxes and fuel pricing in Europe.
The MKiii was offered with the narrow or wider rear fenders.
Thank you for the education on “American” built Shelby Cobras and “British” built A.C. Cobras. I never knew the British built ones existed. I know the story about A.C. cars and Carrol Shelby coming to terms after G.M. shut his request down ( too much competition for the Corvette ) When I was looking at the pictures of this one the windshield didn’t quite look like what I was used to seeing and somehow the rear wheel openings didnt quite match the shape of the front ones. But know I know more about very desirable cars , Thank you very much !
Moosie: ALL original Cobras were “British-built”, at the AC Works on Number 10 High Street, in Thames-Ditton, Surrey, south of London. Shelby American would fit the engines and transmissions upon receipt of the completed cars.
I was pretty much aware of all that but didn’t know about the “narrow/wide hips” part of their makeup. I knew the first ones with the small block Ford V8, 260 & 289 were (in the states)narrow front & rear hips and when the big blocks were produced (in the states) they were wide hipped all around , not knowing (until today) about cars like the one for sale which in what I am seeing is narrow in the rear & wide in the front. Guys that know the facts about different cars & all the idiosyncrasies are a priceless commodity. Thank You. Be Kind, Smile
This appears to be an AC 289 Sports of which only 27 were built – 17 RHD and 10 LHD examples. This has the coil spring large tube chassis 427 narrow hip body and the 289 engine. Probably the best driving and handling Cobra of them all. The Sunburst wheels may not have been originally on the car which would probably have been supplied with wire wheels.
Located in Oakland, CA
This car was listed for sale so the people that know about it will have time to get involved. I pretty sure he could care less about the average reader of barnfinds thinks about the car and pictures.
If I had 950,000 dollars to spend on a vehicle, I think I would buy 7 new Corvettes. Different colors for each day of the week. But alas….
Me too…
Is it just me? I’m not in a bad mood but this website is called Barn Finds. This is not a barn find.
Actually it is a barn next to a horse paddock. Look closer
If this was in my barn I would be massaging it daily! Awesome rare version. Lower the number the earlier the car. I restod car #12! Don’t change a thing on it!!
These cars are significantly cheaper than “US” Cobras. A wide-hipped 289 COB recently sold in the UK for around £250K. A much more realistic number for these cars.
I don’t think that genuine COB chassis cars sell for that price in the UK or anywhere for that matter.
If you have a lead for a car at that price, I’ll buy 2 & give you a large finders fee
Back in 1968 a local dealer had a used 289 AC Cobra on his back lot, it turned out to be a trade-in on a new car. Thing was they wanted about what a new Cadillac would have cost at that time. I was under age and no way was Dad going to sign on that one. I always wondered what it would be worth today had I been able to buy it, then again in all likelihood my EX would have tried to get it in the divorce.
Darn dealer wouldn’t even let an under age driver take it out for a test drive, but that’s life I guess.
Hi 86_Vette_Convertible, Was that Cobra painted MetalFlake Blue by chance?
To truly enjoy a vehicle you must use it. No one will drive this it will go into some ones collection. Find a Canadian built Aurora Cobra. A great car you can enjoy w/o the worries.
To all the people who say that a CSX 3000 series Cobra sells for more than a COB or COX 289: the main reason is that the CSX 3000 series have big blocks. The AC 289 Sports, as already pointed out by Roger Cormier, only had the 289 due to high taxes and double fuel costs outside of America…thus considerably lower status as far as American collectors are concerned…even though the car’s handling and road manners are much better than a big block’s. Despite all the 427 Cobra mythology out there, which rivals the Greek mythology of the Gods on Mount Olympus, the truth is that those big block cars didn’t have the handling/balance of the small-block cars. Some of the top Shelby American employees of the 1960s are on record as saying that driving fast in a big block, you could find yourself having spun “in the opposite direction” before you knew it…and what was left of the car would be sent back to Shelby American “in a box”. I personally experienced that spinning out of control and suddenly facing the opposite direction, while driving on a public road once, in a tweaked big block Corvette, and it scared me enough to sell it quickly. A secondary reason why the AC 289 Sports sells for less is that it lacks the Cobra model name, as Shelby sold it to Ford in the summer of ’66 for a dollar. So even though the Shelby Club acknowledges these 1966-68 AC 289 Sports as real Cobras and NOT continuation cars, many an international collector is sometimes reticent to buy, afraid that someone might not consider it a “real” Cobra. To those who might still be skeptical about what I am saying, note that the earlier small-block cars with the narrower Ace-like bodies and leaf springs, sell for about the same prices, all things being equal, be they CSX, COB or COX cars…as they all officially carry the Cobra model name as part of their identity.
Agree with everything you have said except valuation. Here is a price comparison for the COB/COX versus the equivalent small block CSX. Literally a $400K difference:
https://www.hagerty.ca/apps/valuationtools/1965-Shelby-Cobra-COB!COX
https://www.hagerty.ca/apps/valuationtools/1965-Shelby-Cobra-289_R'and'P
No huge disagreement with you Sfm5. I don’t live in the U.S., but the Hagerty discrepancy in prices you point out reflects average prices paid. In the U.S. in particular, but even elsewhere to some extent, there are collectors afraid that if it doesn’t say CSX then somehow it might not be considered a “real” Cobra. I once knew a Japanese collector with that attitude. Another factor that pushes up the agregate price of CSX cars is that many more have racing histories than COB (sold in Britain) or COX cars (sold in Europe, Canada and Australia). Many people in Europe in particular, think that Cobras sold in the U.S. (overwhelmingly CSX) are way overpriced. The odd CSX small-block car with transverse leaf springs sold in Europe doesn’t tend to sell there for more than a COB or COX car with similar condition and overall pedigree…but many in Europe are AMAZED by Cobra prices in the U.S….even cars that are not real Cobras. Very recently a 1956 AC Ace very poorly converted to some sort of Cobra-like mutant, sold in the U.S. for a quarter of a million. It is the consensus of the AC Owners’ Club that it wasn’t even worth half that much. Go figure…