1966 AC Cobra Mk III 428
- Engine
- 428 cu. in. (7.0L) V-8
- Colour
- Green
CSX 3281 is a 1966-delivered Shelby Cobra 427, originally finished in green with a black interior and powered by a 428-cubic-inch V-8, billed to a Michigan Ford dealership in September 1966. The car passed through several notable American owners over decades, including a documented stay in the Otis Chandler Vintage Museum of Transportation collection, and underwent multiple restoration episodes before a comprehensive return to its original green-and-black livery was carried out by Motorcars International of Illinois.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate US$1,350,000 – US$1,450,000
- 1966-09-01 →Factory deliveryDon Seelye Fordfull documentation
Dealership in Kalamazoo, Michigan, billed for the car in September 1966. Records indicate the car was likely delivered by truck, with a freight credit on file.
- → 1976Private saleDonald Manskerpartial documentation
Also Houston-based, acquired the car from Parker sometime in the early 1970s. Later received the car back in a trade involving a 289 Cobra.
- 1976 →Private saleRick Reesepartial documentation
Employee at Cobra Performance in Sacramento who undertook extensive modifications: swapped the original 428 engine for a 427, added a full roll cage, rectangular taillights, enlarged rear flares, hood scoop, S/C dash, and side pipes. Finished the car in red. Attempted sale in 1977 after an eight-month restoration effort, but the car went unsold.
- 1979 →Acquisition unknownDon Blenderman and Larry Wheelerpartial documentation
Oklahoma-based co-owners who advertised the car for sale with S/C specification upgrades and a 42-gallon fuel tank fitted.
- → 1984Acquisition unknownSloan Kritserpartial documentation
Texas-based owner who commissioned a full restoration by Bill Murray in Colorado. Changes included removal of the roll cage in favor of a correct S/C roll bar, black refinish, chrome side pipes, quick jacks, Halibrand wheels, and a competition fuel cap. Kritser never collected the finished car.
- 1984 → 1987Acquisition unknownCourtney J. Catron Jr.partial documentation
Colorado-based owner who took possession of the car after the Kritser restoration was complete.
- 1987 →Private saleOtis Chandlerfull documentation
Prominent California collector who housed the car at his Vintage Museum of Transportation in Oxnard for close to two decades. The car was featured on the cover of the Classic Motorbooks autumn/winter 1990 catalogue and appeared in several published books alongside other cars in his collection.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownTimothy H. Parkerpartial documentation
First known private owner, based in Houston, Texas. No specific dates recorded beyond his being the earliest known retail holder.
- Date unknownPrivate saleDonald Manskerpartial documentation
Reacquired the car through a trade with Reese, exchanging it for the same 289 Cobra that had originally been swapped for this car.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownMotorcars Internationalpartial documentation
Illinois-based dealer that undertook a thorough restoration returning the car to its original green and black livery, with the entire process documented via photographs and receipts.
- Date unknownPrivate saleCurrent ownerpartial documentation
Acquired the car after the Motorcars International restoration. Only test miles driven since completion; car has not yet been shown.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1977RestorationCobra Performance
Eight-month restoration and modification carried out by Rick Reese at Cobra Performance in Sacramento; original 428 engine replaced with a 427 big block, full roll cage added, rectangular taillights substituted for the original round units, rear flares enlarged for wide Jongbloed wheels, and the car refinished in red with a hood scoop, S/C dashboard layout, and side pipes.
Despite being offered for sale after completion, the car went unsold and was traded back to the previous owner.
- 1984RestorationBill Murray
Full restoration commissioned by Sloan Kritser and carried out by Bill Murray in Colorado; roll cage removed and replaced with the correct S/C roll bar, car refinished in black, chrome side pipes and quick jacks fitted, 7.5/9.5 Halibrand wheels installed, competition fuel cap added, and enlarged rear flares retained.
Murray is described as one of the foremost Cobra specialists and restorers in the United States. The commissioning owner never returned to collect the finished vehicle.
- —RestorationMotorcars International
Comprehensive restoration to original factory specification — green exterior with black interior — undertaken by Motorcars International; every detail of the work was documented with photographs and receipts, and the aim was to replicate the car's appearance as delivered new in 1967.
Carried out after the car changed hands multiple times following its departure from the Otis Chandler collection; result described as concours quality.
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