What Studebaker part was used on the very first Shelby Cobra

[Nelson]

Since we’ve been talking Shelby Cobra’s, what did Carol Shelby borrow from a Studebaker to use on his very first Cobra? 

[mfg]

29 minutes ago, Nelson said:

Since we’ve been talking Shelby Cobra’s, what did Carol Shelby borrow from a Studebaker to use on his very first Cobra? 

That’s easy…. The 289 engine!!!!!!!!!!

[Nelson]

No, not a 289. Actually the firstCobra was a 260.

[wdaly]

13 hours ago, Nelson said:

Since we’ve been talking Shelby Cobra’s, what did Carol Shelby borrow from a Studebaker to use on his very first Cobra? 

I've never been a 'motorhead' but I am reminded of the Summers of '69 & '70 when I worked as a 'car jockey' for Hertz at Chicago O'Hare (lots of crazy stuff I will keep to myself) however - back then you could actually Rent the Mustang Shelby Cobra!  We only had a few of them and it was Fun to drive to and from the dealerships for service.  I had previously gotten a ticket driving through a small suburb with an ordinary car so when driving the Cobra I made sure I followed all laws as it kind of stuck out!  btw - it was only rented as an Automatic.  Two other cars of note I remember were the Lincoln Continental 4 door hardtop with rear 'suicide' doors And the American Motors AMX!  Those were the days...............

[mfg]

18 minutes ago, Nelson said:

No, not a 289. Actually the firstCobra was a 260.

So perhaps the Stude 259.2 ???

[mfg]

Dunlop disc brakes?

[Gunslinger]

The Cobra when released used the Borg Warner T-10 transmission and Girling disc brakes...but whether they were the same model, gear ratios and calipers and pads I can't say.  Many think the Corvette of the period that used the T-10 had GM exclusive gear ratios thus forcing Studebaker to use less than ideal gearing in 4-speed cars.  

[bob caser]

Salisbury rear end

[Mark63Avanti]

Was it only for the 1964 model year that the "close ratio" T-10 was available and did this bring it closer to the Corvette ratios?

[mfg]

2 hours ago, Mark63Avanti said:

Was it only for the 1964 model year that the "close ratio" T-10 was available and did this bring it closer to the Corvette ratios?

No, apparently the Studebaker  ‘61-‘62 T-10 (with the GM bolt pattern) was ‘all Corvette’…. Including the close ratio gearing… excepting for the Studebaker only input shaft.

[mfg]

It’s been said that in ‘64,  R3 engined Studebaker’s, equipped with the T-10 transmission, had close ratio gearing as standard equipment….However, the close ratio transmission gears were optional on other Studes equipped with the four speed box.

[Nelson]

I imagine the guessing is over but Bob Caser is the closest.

It’s hard to substantiate as there have been SO MANY interviews with Caroll Shelby but way back in the later part of the last century, Shelby was interviewed concerning the original or the initial  prototype of the AC Cobra. He talked about how they were putting something together which would evolve into the Cobra. He mentioned that the rear end was taken from a Studebaker and fit into the AC chassis. Being that I was and still am, an avid Stude guy his statement has been imprinted in my mind. An even closer match to his statement at that time is “the rear end came out of a six cylinder Studebaker”. Im sure Caroll Shelby, like Andy Granatelli, liked the lime light and enjoyed his time on stage. If he used a model 27 Dana it sure wouldn’t have lasted through one hard shift but if it was dimensionally what he needed at the time he, at least, would have a roller.

 

[Nelson]

Did the 63 Corvette use a Borg-Warner or was it a Muncie?

[DWR46]

GM switched from the T10 to the Muncie in spring 1963, so late 1963 Corvettes were equipped with Muncie gearboxes. The Cobra rear axle (both 289 and 427) was a Salisbury Power-Lock, based on a Dana 44. It is still around used in Vipers.

[bob caser]

I cheated ! This is the view from my office.

[Nelson]

Hahaha! I just showed that photo to my wife and said “so you think I’m bad”. Her response was “those are toys”. My response back “ they sure are”.

[mfg]

WOW!   What a view… May I ask Bob is this your personal collection, or are these  beauties for sale?

[bob caser]

1 hour ago, Nelson said:

Hahaha! I just showed that photo to my wife and said “so you think I’m bad”. Her response was “those are toys”. My response back “ they sure are”.

It would delight me to have a R3 powered car in the showroom. I have seen in person every Bonneville car over the years, Sherwood Egbert's personal car and       # 1025 when Vince Granatelli owned it. But I have never seen your R3 Lark. A car that I consider to being very significant, and I thank you for saving it.

 

[bob caser]

39 minutes ago, mfg said:

WOW!   What a view… May I ask Bob is this your personal collection, or are these  beauties for sale?

These are for sale, personal stuff is elsewhere.

[mfg]

6 hours ago, bob caser said:

These are for sale, personal stuff is elsewhere.

Such a view!!!!

[Nelson]

22 hours ago, bob caser said:

It would delight me to have a R3 powered car in the showroom. I have seen in person every Bonneville car over the years, Sherwood Egbert's personal car and       # 1025 when Vince Granatelli owned it. But I have never seen your R3 Lark. A car that I consider to being very significant, and I thank you for saving it.

 

Thanks for the comment, Bob. I just wish I could see those cars you saw back in the day. Good photos of those Bonneville cars, especially under hood shots and inside trunk shots of the two R3 convertibles. I own both of those cars and have one pretty much finished. If it wasn’t for having those two as samples plus the HR road test Lark it would be anyones guess on how things were supposed to go together and how they should be fitted. One big surprise was they didn’t run an air cleaner at Bonneville and evidently were sold that way. One of the convertibles has never been restored under the hood and witness marks made by the hose from the air intake to the blower are pronounced as wear on the inner fender. When this one gets restored I will do nothing to the paint work or misjudgments made during the original build. To me that is what is so cool about original cars……they are still able to tell their story.

[Geoff]

On 1/27/2025 at 12:46 PM, bob caser said:

I cheated ! This is the view from my office.

[2 pics.]

That looks like the Shelby museum in Las Vegas. Though it's either not, or it's not a part I've been through.

[bob caser]

22 hours ago, Nelson said:

Thanks for the comment, Bob. I just wish I could see those cars you saw back in the day. Good photos of those Bonneville cars, especially under hood shots and inside trunk shots of the two R3 convertibles. I own both of those cars and have one pretty much finished. If it wasn’t for having those two as samples plus the HR road test Lark it would be anyones guess on how things were supposed to go together and how they should be fitted. One big surprise was they didn’t run an air cleaner at Bonneville and evidently were sold that way. One of the convertibles has never been restored under the hood and witness marks made by the hose from the air intake to the blower are pronounced as wear on the inner fender. When this one gets restored I will do nothing to the paint work or misjudgments made during the original build. To me that is what is so cool about original cars……they are still able to tell their story.

I was fortunate to be in the right place at the right time. I have regrets of not having taken photos at the time, shame on me. While still being being active in the automotive business everyday brings a surprise some good some bad. The whirlwind of the 1962 introduction of the Avanti, all of the press, advertising and Bonneville runs that were devoted to it will never be repeated.

[bob caser]

15 minutes ago, Geoff said:

That looks like the Shelby museum in Las Vegas. Though it's either not, or it's not a part I've been through.

It is the Superformance/ Hillbank  facility in Irvine , Cal.