1966 Shelby Cobra 427 (CSX 3284)
- Engine
- 7.0L V8 side-oiler (427 cu. in.), replacing original 428 cu. in. V8; both engines included
- Colour
- Dark green (originally 'Rangoon Red')
Shelby Cobra CSX 3284 is a '3200'-series car fitted originally with a 428-cubic-inch Ford V-8 rather than the better-known racing-derived 427 side-oiler. Delivered new to a California dealership in October 1966 in Rangoon Red, the car was subsequently exported to the United Kingdom and spent nearly two decades on static display at the Midland Motor Museum in Bridgnorth. A sympathetic restoration was carried out in 2002–2003, and the car appeared at the 2003 Goodwood Festival of Speed. The original 428 engine, later swapped for a 427, accompanies the car, and documented mileage since 1973 stands well below 28,000 miles.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold €775,625 (≈ $853K)
- 1966-10-01 →Factory deliveryHayward Motorsfull documentation
California dealership that received the car new from the factory alongside another Cobra; car left unsold at Eagal Ford Sales by mid-1967.
- → 1974-11-01Private saleJohn Broadpartial documentation
UK owner who parted with the car to raise funds for a rare porcelain piece at auction; reportedly had two Cobras at the time. Earliest MOT on file is dated August 1973 showing just over 20,800 miles.
- 1974-11-01 → 2001Private saleMichael J Stephensfull documentation
Used the car sparingly on UK roads before placing it on long-term static display at Midland Motor Museum from 1980 until the museum closed in mid-2000; sold it the following year with a verified odometer reading of just under 22,000 miles.
- 1980 → 1999Acquisition unknownMidland Motor Museumpartial documentation
Bridgnorth museum that displayed the car for roughly two decades; the museum closed in June 2000 though the car had been listed there through 1999.
- 2001 → 2006Private saleJoe Eaglefull documentation
Sussex-based owner who commissioned a careful restoration in 2002–2003 retaining the red paintwork, swapped the side-exit exhausts for a rear-exit system, and later replaced the original 428 V-8 with a 427 side-oiler unit in 2005 (original engine retained with the car).
- 2006 →Private saleCurrent ownerfull documentation
Had the car refinished in dark green; car shows approximately 27,250 miles at time of cataloguing and is described as easy to drive and enjoyable by both owner and spouse.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownEagal Ford Salespartial documentation
Stockton, California dealership where the car sat unsold at least until July 1967, per the SAAC registry.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownJohn Harperpartial documentation
Exported the car from the US to the United Kingdom before passing it to the next owner.
Competition
- 20032003 Goodwood Festival of Speed
Car was displayed as part of the Rosemount Performance Car exhibit rather than as a race participant.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2002Restoration
Careful, sympathetic restoration carried out over 2002–2003 preserving the red colour scheme; side-exit exhaust pipes were replaced with a rear-exit system.
Commissioned by Joe Eagle of Sussex.
- 2005Engine rebuild
The original 428-cubic-inch V-8 was removed and replaced with a 427-cubic-inch side-oiler unit; the original engine was retained and accompanies the car.
The displaced original 428 engine is included in the sale.
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