Carroll Shelby is one of the most famous names in the automotive industry. As one of the greatest racing figures of the 1950s and 1960s, Shelby's prowess produced some of the most iconic classic automobiles. To celebrate Shelby American's 60th anniversary, the company unveiled a finished concept of Shelby’s unfortunate motorsport dreams, the Cobra Cammer Concept.
The Cobra Cammer was unveiled in early June at Carlisle Ford Nationals hosted by Meguiar's in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. It flaunts an extended chassis and its polished aluminum shade. Under the clamshell hood is a single 427 overhead-cam V8 engine, which makes up to 650 horsepower, and a four-speed manual gearbox driving the wheels. The Shelby Daytona Coupe, also known as the "Cammer Coupe," was built to pay homage to Carroll Shelby’s dream for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
In this article, we’re diving into the history, features, and the possible future of the unveiled Shelby Cammer Cobra concept.
The Shelby Cammer Cobra Had A Promising Future
The story of the Shelby Cammer Cobra actually began with the original Shelby Daytonas, the American sports coupes that were specifically designed and built for racing. Just six of these racing coupes were built between 1964 and 1965. In 1965, all the hard work paid off. Thanks to the talents of Carroll Shelby, the Daytona car helped win the constructors' title at the FIA World Sports Car Championship. By default, Shelby became the first American sports car manufacturer to win this title on the international scene.
But, while the original Daytona had 289 Ford V8s, Shelby wanted to fit a big Ford block in an effort to get more speed out of the Peter Brock-designed aerodynamic bodywork, making the car more competitive at Le Mans, according to Gary Patterson, president of Shelby America. This new engine was going to be Ford’s powerful FE 427 cubic-inch V8 engine, now known as the Cammer V8.
During the ‘60s, Chrysler’s 426 Hemi horsepower dominated the NASCAR territory. And the Cammer V8 was Ford’s response. The big-block engine was able to deliver an output of 650 horsepower, thanks to the dual four-barrel carbs, the Hemi pistons, and a forged steel crankshaft. And this was more than enough power to stay ahead of the competition.
Carroll Shelby hoped to combine the aerodynamics of the lightweight body with the incredibly powerful single overhead cam version of the aluminum FE engine. But there was one problem: The engine didn't directly fit into the place of the 289 Small Block. In fact, the transition required stretching the Daytona chassis by up to three inches.
Fitment Issues Marked The End Of The Cobra Cammer Concept
Due to this fitment issue, the Cammer Cobra Concept came to an end. And the reason was that Shelby didn’t have enough time to get the Cammer V-8 in time to prepare the cars for the Le Mans race in 1964. But Shelby still managed to pull off a one-off car, which packed a NASCAR 427 V8 engine. However, the automaker returned to the 289 V8 engine before the 427 project ever made it to Le Mans.
The Shelby Cammer Cobra Packs Some Jaw-Dropping Features
When recreating this concept, Shelby American wanted it to match the original concept, especially in terms of power output. Like the original Cammer Cobra, the re-designed concept is capable of delivering a peak output of 650 horsepower, which already puts it above a lot of its modern-day racing counterparts. According to Shelby American, this power is relayed to the rear wheels via a 4-speed manual gearbox.
Besides the engine, another interesting feature of the Shelby Cammer Cobra is the appearance, which, for the most part, screams out “Race time”. The build is noticeably longer. To accommodate the engine, the brand extended the Cammer Cobra’s frame by about 3 inches – the intended length of the first concept. This extended chassis required a modified hood that provided ample space for the engine. For a sportier appeal, the car has a low stance and fixed rear wing. Its large good-year tires, side vents, and exhausts boost the vehicle’s profile. The entire body is finished with exposed polished aluminum, which further enhances Daytona's timeless form.
The Shelby Cammer Cobra is undoubtedly a great piece of equipment. The streamlined, chrome-plated form is a great expression of Carroll Shelby's innovation. That said, it’s a work of art that Shelby American customers would absolutely want to get. The company is aware of this and plans on using its presence at next year's auto events to measure a limited run of cars.