Contemporary 427SC Cobra
Iris Blue/Wimbledon White stripes
—SOLD!—

Photo above is hotlinked (alternate 3/4-frontal view, much larger size).

For those who know. Among knowledgeable Cobra aficionados, the Contemporary Classic Cobra is regarded as one of the finest replicas ever produced because of the accuracy of the body and (round-tube) frame, quality of the engineering and construction, the authenticity of its appearance and the scintillating feel of the driving experience.

Made in the USA. The Contemporary is simply one of the most accurate and highly regarded Cobra replicas ever produced. Contemporary has been the most respected name in the reproduction Cobra market for over 30 years. Produced by the legendary Contemporary Classic Motor Car Company of Mamaroneck, New York, it has long been recognized for creating the most precise rendition and the best engineered of all the aftermarket Cobras.

"Why?", you may ask. Here are a few excerpts from the General Specifications—Manufacturing and Construction Data from the Contemporary Cobra spec sheet:

Coachwork: 'The Contemporary Cobra replica is not a 2nd, 3rd or 4th generation copy of a body that was incorrect to start with. Ours is patterned directly from our founder's original SC Cobra, CSX3045, and comes complete with correctly shaped and flared rear fenders, and provisions for a 3-1/2" LeMans fuel filler cap. Inner panels including front fender wells, floorpan/foot box assembly, and trunk liner are double bonded (bonded from both sides of the panel) to the body shell in a close tolerance assembly fixture which rendered proper alignment of all inner panels within the one-piece body shell. As delivered to the purchaser, the body, complete with inner panels is in effect a robust monocoque unit vs. the traditional "kit car" with its inner panels "pop riveted" to the body shell.'

Body Strength and Integrity: 'An important Contemporary exclusive is that tubular steel substructure hoops (full tubular steel tube frames) have been bonded into the hood, door, and trunk openings, the rear lip of the driver/passenger compartment and leading edge of the cowl.'

Chassis: 'The Contemporary 4" OD x 1/8" round-tube chassis is based on the original, but increased wall thickness reduces the flex inherent in the AC-built chassis; it combines rigidity superior to the "cut + weld" square/rectangular tube frames commonly used by replica manufacturers, while simultaneously providing lower mass/lighter weight, and of course is in keeping with the design and specifications of the original car.' The round tube chassis is not only more authentic but more rigid and stronger which results in better handling and driving performance.'

All skid-pad, slalom and drag strip figures were obtained by Motor Trend Senior Road Test Editor Mac DeMere, who commented "The Contemporary was the only car that equaled or bettered the results of the Shelby in every test category. You can't quantify 'feel,' yet the Contemporary felt very close to the Cobra—a good job of reproducing the wonders of the original. Except for the fact that the manufacturer doesn't wear bib overalls, Contemporary's roadster is about as close as you'll come to the original Cobra."

This Contemporary Cobra was built to replicate a classic 427SC with as much authenticity as possible, a driving machine as close to the original as you can get, and the details reflect that. Building this car and the motor consumed over 2,000 hours over a 2+ year period, with meticulous attention devoted to every detail.

This Contemporary Cobra is a one-owner/builder machine. Only 6,946 miles (±11,200 km), used on Cobra club events, stored in a garage and never raced. It is properly registered in Washington State as a 1965 Cobra Replica. Smog exempt in most states.

powerplant photo is hotlinked [alternate (side) view of engine, MUCH larger size].

This is the famous big-block Ford 428FE Cobra Jet (an improvement over the 428FE Police Interceptor motors that were used alternately with the 427FE side-oiler in original 427 Cobras). It has been balanced and blueprinted—completely rebuilt from the block up with all new bearings and the finest components. No expense has been spared. Note that all original 427 Cobras used Ford FE engines, both 427s and 428s. To achieve authenticity in a Cobra replica you need to have an FE engine and this immaculate 428FE Cobra Jet meets that requirement.

• 1968 Cobra Jet block—extra main bearing webbing and thicker main caps
• factory-matched cast-iron Cobra Jet heads C80E 6090N—16 bolt pattern, with new stainless steel valve train
• Cobra Jet high-nodular–iron crankshaft IUB
• Cobra Jet rods [C7AE-B], ARP rod bolts
• bored 0.030" over to 433 cid—bore 4.160, stoke 3.984
• Holley 750 cfm double-pumper carburetor with manual choke
• polished aluminum 'turkey pan' cold air box
• JE custom forged aluminum pistons—539 grams
• Harland Sharp billet aluminum rockers with HD rocker shafts
• Competition Cams 'Magnum 270' camshaft with solid lifters
• 9.36:1 compression ratio—runs on 92 octane pump gas
• original timing cover [C8AE 6059B]
• Edelbrock RPM dual-plane aluminum intake manifold
• Canton 7-quart oil pan with original 428 CJ windage tray
• remote oil filter and oil cooler system
• Holley fuel pump & pressure regulator, recirculating fuel system, Kinsler filter
• Stelling & Hellings air cleaner with K&N filter
• Cobra LeMans finned aluminum valve covers, black wrinkle finish
• aluminum radiator with aluminum shroud; switch-activated pusher fan—prevents overheating in stop-&-go traffic
• brass big-block expansion tank
• MSD Pro-Billet Ford FE distributor [PN 8594]
• MSD 6-AL ignition with MSD coil and plug wires
• AeroQuip braided SS hoses and anodized AN fittings
• tube headers and SC side pipes with aluminum ceramic coating
• aluminum heat shields and KoolMat heat barrier installed in engine compartment

The engine was precisely assembled with combination of grade 8 and ARP bolts, and was carefully torqued to spec.

Run in and dyno tested at Sunset Engine Development in Beaverton, Oregon. Results: 485 ft. lbs. of torque at 3,500 rpm and 400 hp at 4,800 rpm on Chevron Supreme. With that all that Herculean torque, this is a very, very fast, yet eminently 'streetable' serpent. You get the dyno sheets.

• Lakewood shatterproof bellhousing
• period correct (and rugged) Ford 4-speed toploader wide-ratio gearbox
• Hurst Competition Plus shift linkage
• Jaguar 3.31:1 differential with inboard rear disk brakes (inboard config. reduces the unsprung weight)

above cockpit shot is hotlinked (alternate view, MUCH larger size).

This meticulous and tasteful interior pays homage to the original 427SC Cobra. All mechanical components, hardware, gauges, materials and trim have been sourced, fabricated and assembled to be rendered as faithful to the original as possible. Cockpit is authentically outfitted with:

• Contemporary's steel framed seats, upholstered in black Connolly leather (as well as are the door panels)
• black Wilton Wool carpet in cockpit and trunk
• custom Cobra floormats
• original style Smiths gauges, with 'correct reverse 180 mph speedometer
• Lucas toggle switches.
• 15" Laminated mahogany Moto-Lita SS-spoked steering wheel, period authentic, with AC hub emblem
• 4" heavy nylon webbing seat belts, with dual shoulder straps (all anchored to frame), fitted with period-correct aircraft hardware
• latching mechanism with leather pads
• period-correct toploader gear shifter and knob
• Jaguar parking brake lever with leather boot
• AC cast aluminum foot pedals
• black leather map pockets in doors
  

The robust Contemporary 4" OD x 1/8" round-tube chassis is based upon the original, but increased wall thickness reduces the flex inherent in the AC built chassis; it provides rigidity superior to the "cut + weld" square/rectangular tube frames commonly used by most replica manufacturers, and of course is in keeping with the design and specifications of the original car. The round tube chassis is not only more authentic but more rigid and stronger which results in better handling and driving performance. All components are top flight.

• Contemporary's A-arm front suspension, Jaguar independent rear suspension
• Contemporary's Sport Suspension package, with six custom made Carrera shocks, Eibach coil-over springs and heavy duty front & rear swaybars
• Jaguar rack & pinion steering box
• Wilwood Engineering front disc brakes, Jaguar rear disc brakes
  
  Rolling stock:
• authentic chromoly 5-pin drive hubs
• Trigo Halibrand-style aluminum replica wheels [front 7.5"x15", rear 9.5"x15"]
• Halibrand knockoff aluminum wingnuts with lead hammer
• BF Goodrich Radial T/A rubber [front P235/60Rx15, rear P295/50Rx15]

This "all decks open" view is hotlinked [alternate (3/4-rear) view, much larger size].

• show-quality paint in Porsche Iris Blue (1996 year Porsche color only) with Wimbledon White stripes and clear coat over
• paint by Jerry's Custom Paint, Gresham, Oregon
• SC hood scoop attached with polished stainless steel hex socket, truss head capscrews
• 3-1/2"polished aluminum LeMans gas filler cap and locking gas cap
• tube headers and SC sidepipes with aluminum ceramic coating
• authentic English glass windshield
• painted aluminum side vent louvers
• underside of hood and trunk lid are meticulously finished and painted
• chrome-plated, frame mounted rollbar
• chrome-plated quick jacks
• wipers and wiper mechanism installed with Lucas Electric motor (not wired)
• black soft convertible top & side curtains
• plexiglas sun visors and windwings
• front-mounted custom aluminum license plate holder (for states where both plates are required)—easily removable where not
• custom California Car Cover (NOAH fabric)
• 2-1/2 lb chromed fire extinguisher mounted in locking truck
• scissor jack in padded carrying case
• lead knockoff hammer
• aircraft/racing–grade safety wire twister pliers with .041" aircraft safety/lock wire
• spare Holley electric fuel pump
• spare Kinsler fuel filter housing with AN fittings and filter

The view most other drivers see most often of this sleek li'l drivin' machine in their rearview mirror.
This frontal view is hotlinked [alternate (broadside) view, much larger size].

This is an extremely strong, double bonded, steel-tube–reinforced Contemporary (CCMCC) fiberglass monocoque body with thoroughly authentic proportions—the firm's body molds and tooling were created from the founder's original SC Cobra, CSX3045.

above: this X-Ray composite photo of a Contemporary Cobra was shot at Petersen Publishing's
photography studio in the early 1990s, and for years was used as the cover image for
Contemporary Classic's product brochure.

This is a unique offering for a superb driving machine, a veritable piece of history. You shouldn't miss this opportunity to own one of the most breathtakingly beautiful Contemporary 427 SC Cobras ever constructed. It's a first-class show-stopper, a true time machine—Curt Scott advises Cobra enthusiasts that the Contemporary is "The first replica Cobra that today approaches 'collectible status'"—that will provide you with high-spirited driving and is sure to etch a permanent smile on your face.

Contact:
Bill Edwards

(425) 228-xxxx
email: EdwardsBill1@comcast.net
Located in the greater Seattle area, Washington State, U.S.A.

And last but not least, click on the stop-action image above to treat yourself
to the YouTube video I produced/directed for my li'l blue drivin' machine!

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