Messages

Jim: I had 2 hammers in the garage, but none in the trunk of my AC, COX 6111. I think one came with the car and the other was acquired later, still new. On the front both say "SIZE2 REF212" on the top line, followed by THOR in larger letters below that, and "COPPER&RAWHIDE" on the bottom line. On the rear it says "MADE IN ENGLAND" on the top line, THOR HAMMER COMPANY below that on 2 lines, and "SHIRLEY BIRMINGHAM" on the last line.

CSX 2329

No, just the first 2 of them were 2210.

And here are three more:

See if these work for you:

I do not claim to have any proof that the VIN-swap performed on CSX 3272 by Mike McCluskey's shop met every letter of the law. It was done almost 50 years ago, and at that time (possibly still today?) the CA DMV permitted this type of "reconstruction" when a car was deemed too far gone to reasonably expect its restoration. Of course, with that caveat, one does wonder how the bent remains of the original car were miraculously reincarnated as CSX 3140, only to have that VIN also removed from the chassis once it was determined that the original chassis remains of that particular car were still extant. Yet, given the circumstances, what we are left with today is a car here in the US that is based on a later AK chassis/ body with an appended VIN from its crashed predecessor, and a theoretically complete car in England with the appropriate hallmarks of an original, AC Cars-built coil-spring Cobra absent a legitimate matching VIN and no real  means of (a) proving what it actually was or (b) reinstating it to the car. Tough call.

[represented as CSX3272]

This car is nothing more than an Anglis built AC that McClusky illegally transferred a CSX VIN tag onto. NOT the first time that's happened, at least this time they had the original tag for this "restoration".

This BAT statement tells it all "moved to Europe, where it has reportedly been represented as CSX3272."
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I'm not sure how you determined that Mike McCluskey illegally transferred a CSX tag onto this car, given that the state of CA permits what was done here and Mike's shop is still rebuilding Cobras almost 50 years later while maintaining an excellent reputation. I suspect that if they were guilty of illegal activity, things might have caught up with them by now. And I can't help but question your thought that the parts which were rebuilt into another car and were moved to Europe where they are now being represented as CSX3272 somehow says anything meaningful. The ads offering it for sale several years ago, described as a genuine Cobra missing a VIN, sure aren't going to permit the buyer to now claim he has 3272, irrespective of how much he might try to.

Is there anyone from the LA area who might be able to ID the Ford dealer advertising the white Cobra with a green stripe (CSX 3348) by the phone number (SY3-3154) ? The  car was supposedly at S&C in San Francisco at this time but was transferred to Robert Loud Ford in Pasadena in May, a month after this ad appeared.

No, I have never had to wonder, since SAAC has been producing accurate histories of all the Shelby products built in the '60s in the various Registries that have been available for several decades now. It would be a mystery to me why anyone with a desire to know about these cars would have not yet taken advantage of these printed records, photographs, and histories.

Got to know George and Randy many years ago. Both good guys. RIP, George, and stay well, Randy!

With the loss of Jeff Burgy and now Dirk Gasterland, SAAC has lost two real stalwart supporters. Very sad for all of us who knew them.

Morning Ned. I posted a while ago about a 427 Cobra I saw goin buy me on a trailer. Looked original . This was in North east Mass buy the NH boarder. Are there still any owners around Ma/NH ?

Thanks
Dan
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Dan, we know of a green 427 in NH and two red, one blue, and one green one in MA. What color was the car you saw?

We are currently aware of two 289 Cobras in the state of NH, both of which have had multiple owners. If the  car described actually exists, it's hard to imagine how it has escaped scrutiny for the past 50 years.

Always enjoyed seeing Jeff. This is terrible news and I send deep condolences to his family.

I am certain there are lots of us who care, including this member, who joined The Cobra Club back in '72 and had his membership transferred to the brand-new entity called SAAC as soon as it was possible. I would love to think that a rational solution to the book publishing issue exists, because if it doesn't, it is unclear how SAAC will move forward. Having someone to handle the newsletter, magazine, and other important chores is clearly a requirement for the club's continued existence, and it should be obvious that absent Rick's involvement there will be a void that will be extremely difficult to fill. I hope something constructive and positive results from these discussions.