This 1967 Shelby Cobra is one of approximately 260 street-specification Mark III examples produced and was invoiced to W.W. Wallwork Ford of Fargo, North Dakota, before being delivered to its first Los Angeles-area owner via Hi-Performance Motors. By the mid-1970s, the car was purchased by Cobra and GT40 collector Les Lindley, who converted it to semi-competition specification early in its life. In 1975, chassis CSX3243 was leased to Warner Bros. Inc. for use as the hero car of the 1976 comedy film The Gumball Rally, for which it was painted Guardsman Blue. After completion of filming, the car underwent nose repairs and a repaint in dark blue before being returned to Lindley, who retained it in storage for over three decades. After being removed from storage in 2010, it was sold to its next owner and underwent a mechanical refurbishment by McCluskey Ltd. and Maeco Motorsports in California that included the installation of an overhauled 427ci Ford FE V8. The car was subsequently showcased at various events before being purchased eight years ago by the selling dealer, who commissioned a repaint that returned the car to its Gumball Rally appearance. After completion of the work in 2023, the car was displayed as part of the Petersen Automotive Museum’s “Cars of Film & Television” exhibit for approximately two years. Additional features include a four-speed manual transmission, four-wheel disc brakes, staggered-width Halibrand-style wheels, an oil cooler, a hood scoop, rectangular fog lamps with Cibie covers, a CB radio antenna, side-pipe exhaust, and black leather interior upholstery. This 427 Cobra is now offered in Lincolnshire, Illinois, with 1975 documentation from Warner Bros., the car’s removed 428ci V8 and other parts, invoices dating back to 2010, a copy of the car’s previous title in Les Lindley’s name, and a clean Montana title.
Shelby introduced the 427 variant of the Cobra in competition trim in 1965 as part of an effort to bolster the model’s racing presence by homologating a big-block-powered version of the platform. Revisions to the AC-built chassis necessitated by the heavier powerplants included 5” of width added to the steel ladder frame, which featured main tubes enlarged to 4” in diameter and rode on a coil-spring suspension in lieu of the earlier Cobra variant’s transverse leaf springs. The street-oriented version of the 427 Cobra arrived in late 1965 and was joined by 31 semi-competition, or S/C, cars derived from unsold competition chassis.
Two Cobra chassis are said to have been used in the filming of The Gumball Rally, which follows a law-spurning coast-to-coast race between underground racers beginning in a Manhattan garage and ending in Long Beach, California. This car is said to have served as the star Cobra until damage to its nose near the end of filming necessitated backup by its sister chassis, CSX3255, in some of the final scenes. A November 1975 lease proposal by Warner Bros. Ltd. shown above outlines payment for use of CSX3243 and a contribution from the studio toward having the car repainted after filming.
After filming, the car is said to have been returned to a dark blue shade, which it retained until being repainted in a brighter blue during a refresh performed by David Nutley Automotive in San Diego between 2021 and 2023 that recreated the car’s Gumball Rally look. Movie-inspired details added during the project include rectangular fog lamps with Cibie covers, a rear-mounted CB radio antenna, and front and rear bumperettes with nudge bars. S/C-style modifications that are said to have been made to the bodywork early in the car’s life include a hood scoop, rectangular taillights, side-exit exhaust with four-into-one collectors, and a Monza-style fuel-filler cap.
Halibrand-style wheels were installed during the 2021-2023 refresh and are secured by three-eared knock-offs. Goodyear Blue Streak Sports Car Special tires measure 6.00-15 up front and 7.00-15 at the rear. Stopping is handled by four-wheel disc brakes, while steering is via rack and pinion. The brake master cylinders were rebuilt during the 2021-2023 project, which also included replacement of the tie rod ends.
The cockpit houses fixed-back bucket seats trimmed in black leather with color-matched door pockets. Additional features include black carpeting, Simpson latch-and-link lap belts, branded pedals, a dashboard-mounted rearview mirror, a console-mounted ashtray, and a fire extinguisher located next to dual batteries behind the passenger seat. The batteries were replaced in 2023.
The inside of the glovebox door features a John Morton signature. Morton, a longtime racing driver, served as a stunt driver and driving instructor during filming of The Gumball Rally.
The wood-rimmed steering wheel sits ahead of Smiths instrumentation including a reverse-sweep 180-mph speedometer, an 8k-rpm tachometer, and gauges monitoring oil temperature, coolant temperature, amperage, fuel pressure, and oil pressure. The five-digit odometer shows 21k miles, approximately 1k of which have been added under current ownership. The speedometer was repaired during the 2021-2023 project to correct a sticking needle. The speedometer cable and drive gear were replaced in 2011.
The 427ci Ford FE V8 was overhauled by Maeco Motorsports and installed during the mechanical refurbishment performed by McCluskey Ltd. between 2011 and 2014, which also included repairs to the cooling system and a rebuild of the alternator to operate at 100 amps. Work during the engine overhaul included decking, boring, and line-honing of the block as well as the installation of custom Ross pistons and replacement bearings, valves, valve guides, and seals. The valve covers were replaced during the 2021-2023 refresh, and the fuel pump was replaced in preparation for the sale. Features include a four-barrel carburetor, a “turkey-pan” cold-air box, and an oil cooler.
Power is sent to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission, and the clutch was replaced during the 2011-2014 refresh. The clutch master cylinder was rebuilt during the 2021-2023 project, which also included a reseal of the differential. The double-wishbone independent suspension setup incorporates coil springs over tubular shock absorbers at each corner with an anti-roll bar up front. The shock absorbers were rebuilt between 2021 and 2023.
The 428ci Ford V8 that was removed during the 2011-2014 refurbishment is included in the sale along with various other removed parts.