289 Cobra Slabside

Andria H · June 30

Just opened the box. This is going to be a pure street stock Shelby 289 slabsider in factory silver with body color frame/suspension, black floors/trunk mat & inner body, battery relocated to trunk, red "Connolly hides" on door cards, dash and seats, all stock equipment or available stuff from Shelby-American, red detachable half tonneau, and more.

Updates start Monday afternoon

bobss396 · June 30

There was a TV detective show, Honey West starring Anne Francis from 1965 to 1966, IIRC.

She drove a Cobra (and had an Ocelot cat named Bruce... who bit people on the set...) around LA.

So I built the same kit when AMT brought it out. I painted it with an AMT green lacquer spray paint.

Andria H · July 2

Had a bit of a change of plans after listening to old jazz LPs and drinking a refreshing cold drink and reading Tam's Old Racecar Site and old parts catalogs.

This is being built as a Sterling Silver over Red upholstery/black carpet early 289 roadster, with some upgrades that would have been available from Shelby-American in Venice California via mail order or dealer option, such as the roll hoop, air scoop in hood, half tonneau cover, custom magnesium wheels, Goodyear "wide boots", factory oil cooler, and trunk mounted battery for weight distribution purposes, with full safety harnesses for driver/lap belts on both seats, wood steering wheel, front/rear hoop bumperettes, and full street windshield. It will receive 1960s California plates or something equally apropos in the end, along with a Ford Engine Blue block on the 289 V8 and iron colored 4-speed transmission with detailed linkage.

Not a replica of any specific real Cobra, but it is inspired a bit by the jazz/blues legend Herbie Hancock's '64 289 roadster as well as by modified Cobras, MGA's and Big Healeys from the car magazine & show scenes in the late 60s-early 70s.