A Zippo lighter with the '68 style snake / Shelby block letter logo is presently being offered in a Mecum On Time auction of vintage automotive advertising, ending on January 13th. Here is a link to the item:
https://ontime.mecum.com/auction/412/item/rare-shelby-cobra-zippo-nester-motor-co-dingeradvertising-lighters-68834/
I have not seen this version before and am curious as to its provenance. For comparison, I attached a scan of the "Shelby girl" factory accessory catalog from circa 1969. The lighter shown there is slimmer with a circular Cobra logo and has a gold color case.
Thoughts?
Looks like a custom made lighter. Notice the newer blue paint, with the way it was painted (inside the letters, and the white speck inside the letter 'B'), and no paint patina. The snake has been available from vendors for many years.
I have keychains that were custom made by people in our local SAAC-Arizona Region, made in the 1980's, which have some patina.
The Zippo lighter is date coded as Sept. 2019.