Scans Throwback: AC Shelby CSX2000 / Cobra 212 S/C

[hostboy]

It's the very first Cobra ever built.

0-30 mph: 1.8 sec
0-40 mph: 2.5 sec
0-50 mph: 3.3 sec
0-60 mph: 4.2 sec
0-70 mph: 5.4 sec
0-80 mph: 6.8 sec
0-100 mph: 10.8 sec
1/4-mile: 13.8 sec @ 112 mph
Top speed: 153 mph @ 7000 rpm

 

[WBarnes]

Crazy performance back then.

 

[bmwz4coupe]

Crazy performance back then.

Yes, imagine all that power and those low grip tyres from the 60’s...

 

[WBarnes]

Yes, imagine all that power and those low grip tyres from the 60’s...

I know, 0-60mph in 4.2s with those crappy tyres seems almost impossible. And with a 4sp box too. Now it seems some cars have twice that many gears and still aren't as fast.

 

[CrunchSlaughtered]

I know, 0-60mph in 4.2s with those crappy tyres seems almost impossible. And with a 4sp box too. Now it seems some cars have twice that many gears and still aren't as fast.

The transmission doesn't matter here at all for the 0-60 sprint. It reaches 67 miles in first gear.

 

[WBarnes]

The transmission doesn't matter here at all for the 0-60 sprint. It reaches 67 miles in first gear.

Sometimes less is more.

 

[KiwiRob]

All timed using a hand held stopwatch, using modern timing equipment these times would look different.

 

[bmwz4coupe]

All timed using a hand held stopwatch, using modern timing equipment these times would look different.

Faster or slower?

 

[Rolf]

If you think that little 289 was fast wait till you see the performance figures for the 1965 Cobra 427.

I can't imagine the sensation this car must have caused in 1965. A massive 7ltr V8 with a huge 485hp and a stump-pulling 480lb-ft of torque.

The acceleration from 0-100mph is just as fast as a Porsche 959 and Ferrari F40 from 20 years later.

Specifications
1965 Shelby Cobra 427
VEHICLE TYPE
Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 2-passenger, 2-door coupe
PRICE AS TESTED
$7,000
ENGINE TYPE
Pushrod 16-valve V-8, iron block and heads, two 4-bbl Holley carburetion
Displacement: 427 in3, 6998 cm3
Power: 485 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque: 480 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm
TRANSMISSION
4-speed manual
CHASSIS
Suspension (F/R): control arms/control arms
Brakes (F/R): 11.6-in vented disc/10.75-in vented disc
Tires: Goodyear Blue Dot, 8.15x15
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 90.0 in
Length: 156.0 in
Width: 68.0 in
Height: 49.0 in
Curb weight: 2529 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 4.3 sec
100 mph: 8.8 sec
1/4 mile: 12.2 sec @ 118 mph
Top speed: 165 mph