A forgotten concept car has just been sold to one of the engineers who lead its development. It’s the 2004 Ford Shelby Cobra concept that debuted at the 2004 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Engineer Chris Theodore who had a hand in developing the Dodge Viper, Plymouth Prowler, and 2004 Ford GT lead the team responsible for the Shelby Cobra concept and now it’s all his.
Theodore won the roadster at a GAA charity auction with a winning bid of $825,000. All of the proceeds from the auction go to the restoration of the famous Fair Lane estate which served as the residence for Henry and Clara Ford.
The 2004 Ford Shelby Cobra concept was obviously inspired by the Ford-powered AC Cobras of the 1960s. It’s a modern take on the classic sports car with no roof, no side windows, and no radio. Much like the original Shelby Cobras, it’s a no-frills small roadster with a huge engine made purely for speed.
According to the listing, this concept was “production-feasible” with a 6.4-liter, DOHC, four-valve-per-cylinder, all-aluminum V-10 engine under the hood making 605 horsepower. A mid-front engine car with a rear transaxle. As a nod to the original 427 ci V8 engine put in the old Shelby Cobras, this engine has “velocity stack” intakes that serve as both an aesthetic and performance upgrade.
Another source of inspiration for the 2004 Shelby Cobra concept was the new (at the time) Ford GT. Like the GT, it has an aluminum frame and a similar suspension setup. Using the GT as a blueprint helped fast-track this concept into a driveable car that actually wasn’t that far off from a street-legal production model.
"It's a dream come true," said Theodore according to Automotive News. "It's one of the last cars I worked on at Ford." Apparently, he’s planning on making the car roadworthy even though it can’t be registered. "It's in beautiful condition and it has been very well taken care of," said Theodore.
