Authentic Details

Here's some info I've saved on original cobra details and edited as Ive found more info out

Cobra Details (Bibliography: Roger Palmquist and Trevor Legate)

EXTERIOR

Windscreen Frame

All models had the same frame made by Elliot + Beclawat. A small Beclawat nameplate was
attached on the inside top of the frame cross piece.
The side posts extended all the way to the top of the frame and actually wrapped over the top by
about 40mm each side.
The frame was made from brass and was chrome plated.
There was a slot all the way across the top of the frame with a wider portion in the middle into which the soft-top half bows located.
A small hooked plate was attached to each post onto which the soft-top half bows clipped.
Sunvisor and wind deflector hinge attachment tapped holes were provided.
The escutcheon plates used to trim the holes in the body where the side posts went in were held in place with a single screw.

Wiper Arms

427R + S/C The wiper arm had a shortish base and a relatively long stem attached with two
rivets. The finish was bright stainless steel.
AC 289 the wiper arms had a longer base and there were no rivets.
Bonnet Handle + latch
All three models had the same style bonnet latch; an elongated T-handle standardised upon in the square body era.
The latch was a plate, which rotated out of a rectangular shaped housing. This latch plate located under a plate attached in the engine bay. The boot latch plate has the cars chassis number stamped on it.

Head lights

Early square body cars used the "peace sign" Lucas light. This carried over to the first of the next generation, the 427S/C.
Some of the later S/C's and all the 427R and AC289's had Lucas sealed beams. "Sealed beam" and "Lucas" were printed on the face of the lens and the lens face was markedly convex.

Indicator - Front

427S/C Lucas L539 - Amber lens with a pointed centre and with 3 fins cast into the lens.
427R Initially the same as the S/C but later changed to the Healey RB682S which was slightly bigger than the L539 and it had an amber lens and no fins.
AC289 Initially the same as the S/C except the lens was white. They later changed to the amber Healey RB682S.

Indicator + Brake lights

Due to a carry over from the previous generation of sq bodies, all the cars were initially fitted with the rectangular Minx light.
427S/C All had Minx lights.
427R Initially Minx but later changed to Healey. The indicator was the same as used in the
front.
AC289 Initially Minx but later changed to Healey. The indicator was the same as used in the front.

Sidescreen and soft top ferrels

All had 3 per door for the side screens and one mounted on either side just inside the rear edge of the cock-pit for the soft top bow. ie a total of eight.

Number plate light

All used the Lucas 467. It is identifiable by the raised rib running through the centre of the
chromed lens cover. This cover was attached to the base using a slotted hex-headed screw. The lens is made of glass and has "Lucas 467" embossed on it.

Filler cap

427S/C Le mans style with a roller catch. It was secured in the body recess on top of the right rear wing with six hexagon headed bolts. The finish was a brush polished aluminium not chrome.
427 R Ceandess type. It was not fitted in a recess - same as AC289
AC289 Same as the Roadster.

Bumpers, over riders and quick jacks

427SC Only the SC had quick lift jack points -The S/C had no bumpers.
Finish: same explanation as for the heat extractors.
427R Overriders and bumpers were fitted front and rear - same as AC289
AC289 Same as for the 427R.

Oil cooler

These were only found on the 427S/C. Mounted at a slight angle - top towards the motor. It was fitted with an aluminium cowling.
The oil pipes went off in opposite direction to the remote mounted oil filter.

Grille - air splitter

427S/C The S/C never had a grille or air splitter
427R There was no mesh covering the "mouth" but it did have an air splitter - same as AC289.
AC289 Same as for the Roadster.

Wheels + tyres

427S/C Halibrand and then Sunburst. Rims: rear 9.5", front 7.5". Tyres: rear 290 wide 15", front 207 wide 15".
Tyres were much wider than either the 427 roadster or the 289 Sport.
427R Sunburst then back to Halibrand. Rims: 7.5" all round. Tyres: Goodyear blue dot 8.15x15" all round Tyres were much narrower on the roadster than on the SC.
AC289 Spoked wheels 6"x15" chromed. Tyres: 185x15" all round.

Badges front + rear

427S/C All 427 S/C's and 427R had the round Cobra badge fitted front and rear.
427R Same as for the S/C
AC289 The "AC" logo front and rear.

Badges side

427S/C 427 Ford Cobra.
427R 427 Ford Cobra - same as the 427S/C.
AC289 No side badges were fitted to the AC289.

Boot hinges

All the cars were fitted with internal tubular boot hinges. The hoop shaped hinge pivoted about a point on the roof of the boot.

Boot handle + catch

All had the T-style handle.

Wing Mirrors

427S/C Bullet type. One mounted on the drivers side front wing.
427R Bullet type. One mounted on the drivers side front wing.
AC289 The AC289 had no wing mirrors.

Rear reflectors

Rectangular and red and only found on the 289 Sport.

Front wing side heat extractors

All three models were fitted with heat extractors.

427S/C Because all 31 cars were delivered to Shelby from the UK unpainted, there is a
possibility that the heat extractors were not colour matched to the body and could've been
finished to the owner’s preference
427R These cars were delivered fully painted from AC cars and the heat extractors were colour matched to the body colour.
AC289 These cars were delivered fully painted from AC cars and the heat extractors were colour matched to the body colour.

INTERIOR

Dashboard shape

All the dashboards were straight; ie the face of the dash did not curve towards you at the ends. At the extreme ends of the dash, the face curves sharply away from you.
427S/C Straight lower edge, without a glove box
427R Straight lower edge, with a glove box
AC289 The lower edge had a slightly larger portion in the centre to accommodate the clock. A glove box was a standard feature.

Instrument layout, gauges and switches-See drawings to follow (sourced rom AKRich/Roger Palmquist)

Steering wheel

They all were fitted with 16" 3 spoked wood rim. Tear drop slots. The centre spoke pointed
vertically down.
427 S/C Badge was the"AC"logo being a carry on from the square bodied predecessors.
427R Badge was the Pete Brock "Cobra" logo.
AC289 Badge was the "AC" logo.

Seat Belts

427 S/C Used U.S. Ray Brown or Impact belts- a carry over from sq body cars.
427R As for the SC.
AC289 Anchor points were provided but the belts were not fitted as a standard.

Direction indicator

They all used the1960's VW beetle unit. The lever pointed towards the centre of the car.

Rearview mirror - Dash mounted

427S/C Had a small rectangular mirror mounted just off centre on top of the dash - the stalk was relatively short.
427R Had a small rectangular mirror mounted just off centre on top of the dash - the stalk was much longer.
AC289 Same as the roadster except the glass was much bigger.

Pedals

They all used the cast aluminium pedals with the "AC" logo cast into the pedal. The pedals each had two rubber grommets

427S/C Pivoted on the floor and swivelled on their mounting to the pedal lever.
427R Pivoted on the floor and swivelled on their mounting to the pedal lever.
AC289 Pivoted on top and also swivelled.

Seats

427S/C Black leather '60 style bucket seat. The cushion was flat.
427R Black leather '60 style bucket seat. The cushion was flat.
AC289 A variety of colours were available.

Carpets

427S/C Industrial pile black.
427R As for the S/C.
AC289 A variety of colours were available.

Gearlever

All the models had reverse selector levers just under the gear knob.
427S/C The lever exited slightly to eh left of centre of the tunnel and then was angled forward and towards the driver.
427R Same as the S/C.
AC289 Due to the smaller block, the lever came out of the tunnel in the correct place and was therefore straight and short.

Handbrake

All the models had the same style of chromed handbrake lever. The lever was placed on the right hand side of the tunnel regardless of wether the car was LH or RH drive. In the engaged position, the lever stood almost perpendicular to the floor.

Door latches

All the models had the "slam lock" system. The latch mechanism was housed in a chromed
rectangular box and the activator stuck out of the top of this box. A leather thong was attached at one end to the end of the activator and at the other end to the under side of the centre side screen ferrel.

Doorpanels

427S/C The S/C was not fitted with door pockets. The inside of the door was trimmed with black Vinyl or leather.
427R The inside of the door was trimmed like the S/C, but the Roadster also had door pockets (Black).
AC289 As for the Roadster, but the colour of the material matched the rest of the upholstery.

Door trimming

All the models had an aluminium strip along the sill of the door. This strip extended from the
bottom of the hinge all the way around the bottom of the door sill to the door latch striker. The strip was engraved with the "FOMOCO" logo in the centre.

Roll bar

Only found on the 427S/C. Also only on the driver’s side. The front hoop was routed through
holes in the body, was visible behind the seat and was anchored to the chassis through the floor of the body. The rear pipe started slightly left of centre of the hoop and angled down fairly sharply towards the right. It was removable and anchored in the luggage compartment on a steel bracket.
The question of the finish is the same story as for the heat extractors.

Ash tray

Only found on the 427 Roadster. Mounted on top of the transmission tunnel in front of the gear lever.

Passenger grab handle

Only found on the 289 Sport. Mounted on the rim of the body above the dash on the passenger side.

Engine bay and boot

Engine

427S/C Ford 427 cui side oiler.
427R Ford 427 cu" side oiler then went to the Ford 428 Police interceptor and then the Ford 429 cui
AC289 Ford 289 cui

Tappet covers

427S/C Chromed or painted pressed steel or a casting which said "Cobra - powered by Ford".
427R Chromed or painted pressed steel or a casting which said "Cobra - powered by Ford".
AC289 Painted pressed steel.

Air cleaner

427S/C 8" dia - fairly flat 2" high, enclosed in an ally plenum chamber or 'turkey pan'. With a wing nut to retain the air filter cover.
427R 14" pressed steel, chromed with wing nut.
AC289 14" pressed steel, chromed with wing nut and stickers.

Headers

427S/C Black branches tuned length.
427R Cast iron exhaust manifold (black).
AC289 Cast iron exhaust manifold (black).

Header tank

427S/C Used a Galaxy brass header tank (black). On both of the 427's it was mounted directly to the front of the engine.
427R Used a Galaxy brass header tank (black). On both of the 427's it was mounted directly to the front of the engine.
AC289 Similar to Galaxy, flatter, mounted different also black.

Bonnet stay

All models used a straight pipe with a curl near the pivot end, which was pivoted against the firewall on the right hand side. This stay was held in place when not in use with a broad steel clip attached to the inside of the engine bay side wall. It had a rubber tip.

Pipes

All radiator and fuel hoses were black rubber. Many of the original cars may have been modified with braided hoses by their owners, but this was not how they left the factory.

Radiator + fans

427S/C Race cars had no fans, if fitted they were mounted at an angle - top towards the rear. Two 5 blade aluminium fans were mounted on the front face of the radiator.
427R Also at an angle but were supplied with a single fan. This was usually changed to a dual fan on the back face of the radiator.
The Roadster also had a single small fan fitted in front of the radiator behind the air splitter.
AC289 Same as the Roadster but without the small front fan.

Chassis and underpinnings

427S/C Black chassis black shocks with red coils. The chassis construction was tubular.
427R As for the SC.
AC289 As for the SC.

Engine compartment detail

427S/C Autolite regulator on left footwell, scribed data plate, bonnet stay clip on RHS, solid
throttle linkage, Alum. bulkhead with Lucas SPF4 fuse box.
Black motor + blue w/pump, alternator, and sump.
427R Autolite regulator on left footwell, scribed data plate, bonnet stay clip on RHS, solid
throttle linkage, Alum. bulkhead with Lucas SPF4 fuse box.
Black motor + blue w/pump, alternator, and sump. Trico washer bottle mounted next to the
regulator.
AC289 Autolite regulator on left footwell, scribed data plate, bonnet stay clip on RHS, solid
throttle linkage, Alum. bulkhead with Lucas SPF4 fuse box.
Black motor + blue w/pump, alternator, and sump. GLASS square washer bottle mounted
midway above wheel on LHS.

Exhausts

427S/C The S/C was fitted with side pipes without heat shields. The finish was said to be up to the customer.
427R Twin underslung exiting directly under the taillights - same as AC289.
AC289 Same as for the Roadster.

Luggage compartment shape

427S/C Sloped floor sloping down towards the inside and tapering towards the bottom.
427R Flat floor - the top of the spare wheel was almost flush with the boot sill.
AC289 As for the roadster. 289 Lemans cars had suticase 'bumps' to allow regulation homologation suitcase to fit in.

Luggage compartment trim

427S/C Brushed aluminium panels
427R Fibreglass. Earlier cars were white and later they were black.
AC289 Same as the Roadster except all were black.

Spare wheel

427S/C The wheel was accommodated in the centre of the boot floor. The floor was shaped at an angle and narrow at the front.
427R Similar the S/C, but the wheel lay flat. On either side of the white fibreglass wheel well
were two black tail light access hatches.
AC289 Same as the Roadster.

Battery

427S/C 2 Rebat 35a 6V Aircraft batteries mounted behind the passenger seat.
427R A single Autolite 12V battery mounted in the boot.
AC289 A single Lucas FRLT9A 12V battery mounted in the boot.

Boot stay

All the models used a "click-stay" located on the left hand side of the boot (opposite side to the bonnet stay)

Tool Box and tools

427S/C None
427R Recessed into the fibreglass boot trimming.
AC289 As for the roadster.

Fuel Pumps

427S/C Twin Stewart Warner pumps mounted against the right hand side of the vertical wall of the aluminium boot trimming.
427R Mechanical.
AC289 Mechanical.

Plenum Chamber

Rectangular in shape, pressed out of aluminium plate. Four equi-spaced
holes at each end and others on the side to allow access to the carb adjustment points. The corners were rounded and the top lip curled out.

Bonnet Rivets

The leading edge of the bonnet was riveted to the frame. The centre rivet was on the centre line with 16 each side of it.

Bonnet scoop

It can be argued that the shape often had to accommodate the height and size of
the engine topworks. However all scoops were riveted on as opposed to being moulded. The
rivet pattern is also distinct.

Remote oil filter

The filter on the SC was positioned in the left front of the engine bay in front
of the alternator. It stood vertically and screwed into a specially cast aluminium "L" bracket.


Wheel arches

The SC had much wider tires than the other two models and as result the wheel
arches at the rear were flared and at the front they were unflared but more bulbous than the other models.

W/screen washer

This applies to both the 289 Sport and the 427 roadster. They both used the
Trico resevoir. There were two nozzles each with two holes. They were activated by a push/pull pump knob on the dash situated between the horn button and the steering column.

Demist slots

This applies to both the 289 Sport and the 427 roadster. There was one fitted on
each side between the w/screen and dash. The finish was chrome.

Meshed ovals

This applies to both the 289 Sport and the 427 roadster. The ovals in front of the
car were finished off with an aluminium mesh that was attached on the inside of the body.
The 427SC had no mesh. On the SC the ovals fed cooling air to the brakes, on the 427R and 289 they fed cooling air to the passenger and driver footwells; the mesh was to reduce the ingress of insects.

Heater / fan

This applies to both the 289 Sport and the 427 roadster. The controls were situated in the middle of the dash below the lower edge.

Cigarette lighter

The 427 roadster had a lighter that was mounted on the dash.

Clock

The 289 Sport had a Smiths Electric clock. It was mounted in the centre of the dash at the
bottom bulge.