Built to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Shelby American.
There are few names more beloved in the automotive community than Carroll Shelby. One of the great figures of racing during the 1950s and 1960s, Shelby’s talents would birth some of the most iconic vehicles ever to leave the Land of the Free. In order to celebrate Shelby American’s 60th anniversary, the company has just unveiled a completed concept of one of Shelby’s ill-fated motorsport dreams: the Cobra Cammer Concept.
The concept, which was unveiled over the weekend at the Carlisle Ford Nationals event in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, harks back to Shelby’s grand plans for the 1964 running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In an effort to get more speed out of the Peter Brock-designed Daytona Coupe, Shelby wanted to fit the car with Ford’s immensely powerful FE 427 cubic-inch V-8. Known today as the Cammer V-8, this engine was rapidly developed by Ford in the mid-1960s in an effort to combat Chrysler’s mighty 426 Hemi which was dominating NASCAR at the time. Thanks to components like Hemi pistons, a forged steel crankshaft, and dual four-barrel carbs, the big-block was capable of producing over 650 hp back in the day. While that was more than enough power to make a difference at Le Mans, the engine wasn’t a direct swap for the 289 small block it was slated to replace. In fact, the change would have required stretching the Daytona’s chassis three whole inches.
In the end, it wasn’t this fitment issue that spelled the end of the Cobra Cammer concept. While a one-off car was eventually built with a 427 “Wedge” V-8 in NASCAR spec, Shelby simply wasn’t able to get a Cammer V-8 in time to prep the cars for Le Mans in 1964. The company would ultimately drop the project after that and return to the 289 V-8 in the future. Not one to let one of Carroll’s projects go unfinished, Shelby American has finally completed a proper Cammer-powered Daytona.
Like the original Cobra Cammer concept, Shelby American says this particular concept is capable of over 650 hp, which is fed to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual gearbox. The chassis has been stretched three inches to accommodate the gigantic engine, while a modified hood was installed to keep it out of the elements. The bodywork is finished in bare polished aluminum, which only enhances the timeless shape of the Daytona.
It’s a great-looking package, and one that we’re sure Shelby American customers would like to get their hands on. The company is aware of this, and will use the car’s show presence over the next year to gauge a limited run of cars. Don’t expect them to be bargain offerings, however, as any genuine Shelby recreation carries a hefty price tag. Then again, this thing is way more interesting than most of the current supercars on sale today.
Keyword: Carroll Shelby's Cobra Cammer Concept Comes to Life