Shelby 427 roadster. The "watersnake" | FerrariChat

Shelby 427 roadster. The "watersnake"

Discussion in 'American Muscle' started by ilconservatore, Oct 25, 2011.

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  1. ilconservatore

    ilconservatore F1 Veteran

    May 18, 2009
    8,369
    Cincinnati Ohio
    #1 ilconservatore, Oct 25, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Thought I'd finally share some pics of a project that's going back together after a year's worth of work.

    Its a Shelby CSX4000 series Cobra with aluminum body that was submerged in a freshwater flood and written off. Its been nicknamed the watersnake, LOL.

    We purchased it with the intention of saving the car. What's great about it, aside from being an alloy car, is that its also an early production car with lots of period correct parts like Girling brakes, stock Shelby suspension rear hubs and front uprights, Lucas style wiring, etc.

    While it was undergoing a complete rebuild, we took the opportunity to get it even closer to 1965 livery, including correct oil tank, braided cloth hoses, engine brackets, fuel lines and canister filter, etc. There's a lot of hard to find bits here.

    Fortunately the car survived without much water damage. The engine was completely stripped and rebuilt, transmission, differential were disassembled and inspected, suspension completely rebuilt, wiring disassembled/cleaned/replaced where needed, all new Smith's gauges, fresh tires, new seats..the list goes on.

    here's a few highlights:

    originally built in 2002, titled as 1965 Cobra and carries a California SB100 from previous owner

    All aluminum Shelby 427 block with Kryptonite 4.125 stroke crank, for a total displacement of 452 inches.

    Aluminum Shelby heads, water pump, dual plane intake, billlet adjustable rocker system

    Engine is built for street use with mild hydraulic cam, estimated horsepower is 525-550, with the potential for over 600 by changing cam and intake.

    Toploader 4 speed, 3.54 rear differential.
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  2. ilconservatore

    ilconservatore F1 Veteran

    May 18, 2009
    8,369
    Cincinnati Ohio
    #2 ilconservatore, Oct 25, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    disassembly and cleaning

    To inspect the structural integrity of the frame, we used a Snap-On borescope inserted into the rails and crossmembers. After that, each frame member was sealed with a combination of zinc chromate primer and a special undercoat to preserve the metal.

    The fuel cell was stripped and rebuilt with guidance from Fuel Safe.
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  3. ilconservatore

    ilconservatore F1 Veteran

    May 18, 2009
    8,369
    Cincinnati Ohio
    #3 ilconservatore, Oct 25, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Engine needed only a honing to correct surface rust in the bores and we were able to retain the original custom Aries pistons and I beam rods. With only 2200 miles total on the original build, only rings, bearings, timing set and cam/lifters were replaced.

    It also received the requisite cleaning, and all new main and head studs, ARP hardware, etc.

    We painted the block '65 correct black, with chrome "baldy" valvecovers, and original brackets and fittings where possible. Engine was broken in on a test stand.
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  4. ilconservatore

    ilconservatore F1 Veteran

    May 18, 2009
    8,369
    Cincinnati Ohio
    #4 ilconservatore, Oct 25, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    chassis detailing

    suspension completely disassembled for cleaning and detailing, and replacement of any worn items. While we were in there, an upgrade was made to Penske shocks and new Hyperco springs.

    New Goodyear "billboard" tires. Rebuilt Girling calipers and new street pads all around. New reservoir canisters and rebuilt hydraulics.
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  5. ilconservatore

    ilconservatore F1 Veteran

    May 18, 2009
    8,369
    Cincinnati Ohio
    #5 ilconservatore, Oct 25, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  6. ilconservatore

    ilconservatore F1 Veteran

    May 18, 2009
    8,369
    Cincinnati Ohio
    More to come...Just realized i haven't processed the rest of my pictures yet. Interior and body panels are being installed now. Hopefully I'll be test driving it this week.
     
  7. NTB

    NTB Karting

    Nov 3, 2003
    144
    Maryland, USA
    Full Name:
    Tom
    Great project! Best of luck completing it.
     
  8. henryr

    henryr Two Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 10, 2003
    21,648
    Atlanta
    Full Name:
    Juan Sánchez Villa-L
    ahhh, the Chattahoochee flood victim.... it used to live right down the road. glad to see it getting a new lease one life.
     
  9. ilconservatore

    ilconservatore F1 Veteran

    May 18, 2009
    8,369
    Cincinnati Ohio
    Small world! Did you know the owner? He lost a Ford GT to that flood as well.
     
  10. SSNISTR

    SSNISTR F1 Veteran

    Feb 13, 2004
    8,046
    SFL
    Very cool, glad you are bringing it back to life!
     
  11. REMIX

    REMIX Two Time F1 World Champ

    The first pics look like an original Cobra barn find. Nice!
     
  12. henryr

    henryr Two Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 10, 2003
    21,648
    Atlanta
    Full Name:
    Juan Sánchez Villa-L
    i've seen him around. he lived in a nice area called "the vinings" (if i'm correct). we had our 100 year flood....

    wish i new him. been thinking of selling all the "new" toys and going old school with a kirkham but i've never rode or driven one.
     
  13. ilconservatore

    ilconservatore F1 Veteran

    May 18, 2009
    8,369
    Cincinnati Ohio
    #13 ilconservatore, Jun 19, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Reviving the thread a little here...the Cobra is assembled and roadworthy now. Even with a "detuned" motor its still quite the power house. And did I mention its loud!? It cranks over and snaps right to life, and with the side pipes just behind your ears its like an explosion.



    Would love to take this one for a long cruise to stretch its legs. If you answer the phone and hear a voice whisper "gumball" that would be me ;)
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  14. ilconservatore

    ilconservatore F1 Veteran

    May 18, 2009
    8,369
    Cincinnati Ohio
    ...

    [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fnl4Y-nYdJE[/ame]

    hmmm...we have a similar series of 'rivers' here in Cincinnati....
     
  15. Scott85

    Scott85 Formula 3

    Dec 16, 2000
    1,240
    Dayton , OH
    Very cool, hope to see it around!
     
  16. joker57676

    joker57676 Two Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 12, 2005
    23,767
    Sin City
    Full Name:
    Deplorie McDeplorableface
    The 427 Shelby, in that color combo, is probably my favorite car of all time. I'm massively jealous, she looks beautiful. Congratulations on a fantastic rebuild. I have to own one of those some day.

    Mark
     
  17. agup48

    agup48 Two Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 15, 2006
    28,633
    Phoenix
    Full Name:
    AG
    That's so cool! Great job reviving the Cobra! :)
     
  18. chas-3

    chas-3 Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Jan 28, 2009
    1,270
    Colorado
    Full Name:
    Chuck
    Absolutely beautiful. One of my all time favorite cars. Nicely done!
     
  19. rdefabri

    rdefabri Three Time F1 World Champ

    Jun 4, 2008
    33,571
    NJ
    Full Name:
    Rich
    Looks great - nice work, best of luck!
     
  20. rustybits

    rustybits F1 Rookie
    Professional Ferrari Technician

    Jan 28, 2007
    2,506
    Somewhere, anywhere
    Full Name:
    Eddie B
    Absolutely stunning car, with a perfectly executed resto. Congratulations.
     
  21. ilconservatore

    ilconservatore F1 Veteran

    May 18, 2009
    8,369
    Cincinnati Ohio
    Thanks guys, it was a lot of fun and the compliments make it worthwhile!
     
  22. ferraripete

    ferraripete F1 World Champ

    that is a great car! i love the kirkhams and would love to own one some day. if your car is ever for sale, please ping me!

    do you have the stainless steel frame as well?

    pcb
     

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