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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.

Sun visor 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 - probably st/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, viz an elongated T-handle standardised upon in the sq 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.

 

Head lights

Early square body cars used the "peace sign" Lucas light. This carried over to the first of the next generation, viz 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 Mynx light.

427S/C All had Mynx lights.

427R Initially Mynx but later changed to Healey. The indicator was the same as used in the front.

AC289 Initially Mynx but later changed to Healey. The indicator was the same as used in the front.

 

Side screen 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 fender 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.

Bonnet and Scoop RivetsOnly the 427SC have the scoop riveted on, the 427R was never fitted with a scoop and the 289FIA had a molded in scoop. The SC and 289s had bonnet rivets to add extra protection to the front of the bonnet lifting up in the wind while racing, the 427R didn't get this done. All rivets where done after painting and so were left as aluminium finish.

Bumpers + o/riders or Quick jacks

427SC Only the SC had quick lift jack points - note the direction of mounting. 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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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 wide - 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

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427 Badge locations

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 fender.

427R Bullet type. One mounted on the drivers side fender.

AC289 The AC289 had no wing mirrors.

 

Rear reflectors

Rectangular and red and only found on the 289 Sport.

 

Fender heat extractors

All three models were fitted with heat extractors. The previous generation sq bodies never had them.

427S/C Because all 31 cars were delivered to Shelby from the UK as 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.

 

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.

 

Chassis and undercarriage

427S/C Black chassis black shocks with red coils. The chassis construction was tubular.

427R As for the SC

AC289 As for the SC

 

Exhausts

427S/C The S/C was fitted with side pipes without heat shields. The finish was probably up to the customer.

427R Twin underslung exiting directly under the taillights - same as AC289.

AC289 Same as for the Roadster.

 

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.

 

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allthingscobra edited by R. Wood