- Cobra will be the featured marque at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion August 17-19, 2012, at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.
- The sports car was created in 1962 by Carroll Shelby, by marrying a small-block Ford V8 to the chassis of the British AC Ace roadster.
- The Shelby Cobra celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2012.
MONTEREY, California — Look for the Ol' Snake Charmer next year at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Cobra will be the featured marque at the 2012 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, to be held August 17-19, as the marque celebrates its 50th anniversary.
Created by Carroll Shelby in 1962, by marrying a small-block Ford V8 to the chassis of the British AC Ace roadster, the original Shelby Cobra — also known as the AC Cobra — quickly dominated the international road-racing scene, narrowly missing the World Sports Car Championship in 1964 and, by leaving Ferrari and Lotus in the dust, winning the championship in 1965.
The secret of the original Cobra is under the hood. Carroll Shelby partnered with Ford Motor Company to power his cars with their V8 engines. A Ford 260-cubic-inch V8 grabbed the glory in the first batch of sports cars, followed by the 289 V8. Later, Shelby turned briefly to a 390 and finally, the famous 427 V8.
Plenty of Cobra varieties should be on view as the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion hosts about 550 authentic and historic racecars from nearly every decade of motorsports history.
Next year marks the 39th year of historic racing at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Carroll Shelby was previously honored at the 1997 event.
Inside Line says: Not to be confused with various "Cobra" editions of the Ford Mustang.
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lolxd says:
07:27 AM, 08/25/2011
The problem with the Shelby Cobra is that its the car they've forgot to stop making LOL
But seriously, the Cobra is up there (if not, better) with the Singer 911 and Eagle E Type. the difference is, this is the real deal while the 911 and E type are more likely a tribute to the past glory with a bit modern touch to it whilst keeping the classic flare from the original.
I think the cobra needs a few modern creature comforts and this thing will be the perfect classic throwback without the classic drawbacks.
I can see this thing sporting a McIntosh head unit.
chicagotex says:
11:01 PM, 08/24/2011
Exactly what's so incredibly American about dumping a ford engine in an otherwise complete british car?
The idolization of Carroll Shelby has always been one of the most profoundly baffling things in the world to me. The reality is the Shelby name is built almost entirely around taking a stock factory and dumping a different factory engine in it. Whoopity-friggen-do.
mau19 says:
05:42 PM, 08/24/2011
A beautiful machine recognized not only in America but worldwide. In my opinion this is a true American car not that that Mopar and Chevy crap! Not to mention one of the few cars in Ferrari's league.
wjtinatl says:
04:08 PM, 08/24/2011
Cobra, 911 and Jag E-type. What else comes to mind when you hear "sports car"?
q8gear says:
02:53 PM, 08/24/2011
hands down my favorite american muscle car ever.
paulvincent1 says:
01:13 PM, 08/24/2011
Cosby, "200 MPH"!