AC Cobra 427, 1966, USA
ohv, V8, 6998cc, 485bhp @ 6500rpm

Caroll Shelby, a successful American Veteran race Driver, was the instigator of the AC Cobra's original Design and production. When the English AC Car Company was about to cease production of the 2 seater sports in 1961, Shelby proposed combining this chassis with the Ford Company's newly completed lightweight smallblock V8 engine, to produce a racing car with exceptional power output. More than a simple 'combination', the model was, in fact, completely redesigned around the engine and the difference was apparent the minute the clutch was released and the accelerator depressed.
In 19965, Shelby completed the 427 - 7 litre Cobra prototype in responce to increased competition from Ferrari's and Chevrolet's new models. The sole design criteria was that the 427 should look exactly like its predecessor, the 289. It was the capacity to go from 0 to 100mph (160km/h) in less than 9 seconds that earned this model its reputation as the fastest sports car ever sold
Fifty one 427 Cobra competion cars were manufactured and sixteen purchased for racing. The other thirty five, of which the model pictured is one, became the 427 Cobra S/C (for 'street/competition' or 'semi/competion'). All of the 'street cars' were designated the 1966 models.