Melanie's first ride in a real 289 Ford Cobra.

We met Tom as we were walking to dinner in downtown Puyallup. He was just about to drive off in his Cobra that was parked about a block from where we were going and he so graciously offered to give my wife a ride around the block to the front door.

[@jamesblair9614]

It’s so nice to see a real Cobra out being driven. I remember being in heavy afternoon traffic, about 1970, and seeing a 289 Cobra behind me, quite a thrill. Today, in the same part of the city I routinely see McLaren’s and all nature of mid engines exotics being driven by offshore foreign students, but somehow, that’s not even worthy of a second glance. The Cobra, I’ll remember that forever!

[@SuspenseESCAPEremastered]

Back in the 80's I got to ride in a real Cobra. It was loud, cramped, uncomfortable, hot and hit every expansion joint with a loud thump! It was the best car ride I ever had.

[@dougpeterson3356]

Around 66 or 67 a neighbor had a 289. He let me drive it once & I was in awe of the throttle response. What a machine.

[@Ragtop_Jalopy]

What a great car! ....I love the fact that this guy is humble and just enjoys sharing his car with people who would never have the opportunity to ride in a 'real' Cobra....that is what the whole car thing is supposed to be about....sharing it with others & watching everybody smile...it's just a car, but what a car indeed! Nice video!!! Thanks for sharing!

[@andyMSH700]

thats the great thing about these old classics...it brings people together...really good entertainment and so nice to see people enjoying themselves...now i just have to finish my triumph TR6 :)

[@theinsaneshecklador6598]

Really cool of him to be so generous with his car.

[@rayshepherd2479]

I purchased csx3225 for $4995 in 1968. I was graduating from college and spent a week convincing my dad to cosign a loan. Told him it would be worth more in the future. I was thinking $10,000.

[@martymiller4300]

1970 or ‘71 my father and I were washing my mother’s MGA in the street behind our Council Crest Heights home in Portland, Ore. A white with blue stripe Cobra with an unsightly but cosmetic wrinkle in the front fender stopped and the driver talked with my father a while and then drove away. Later my dad told me the ‘Kid’ was in trouble with his dad and didn’t want to approach him for money to fix the damage, asked about a possible trade for the MG and some boot money. My father wasn’t sure what a Cobra was, thought it might be some kind of a kit car? So a car with a crumpled aluminum fender and a million dollar future drove off to some other fate. If it helps any, we did keep that MGA for another 20 years.

[@GBURGE55]

British lines, American muscle. Beautiful combination. Fabulous car. I would love to have a ride in that.

[@justinbrady412]

That's just cool. Thanks for sharing this experience with us.

[@johnnycee5179]

I love those spoked wheels and spinners

[@stewartw.9151]

The 289 is still the best Cobra, even though replica builders favour the later 427 S/C body style. Not so well known is the fact that Shelby and many other racers had much more success on the track with 289s than the 427 monster ever did!

[@dennisyoung4631]

Recall seeing a car (vaguely?) like this many, many years ago - recall the hood scoop was affixed with solid rivets. It “shook with power” - drastic and erratic idle, like a sho’nuff race engine was under the hood.

[@kerrykelaher2607]

" i took hot girl neighbour in my ac cobra on the motorway " " went through the gears " full acceleration " we'll " she went " nuts " screaming and laughing !" Laugh 😃 😀 😄 😁

[@GordCurry-it4xo]

Gentleman & a Scholar!!

[@guyh.4121]

A Slab Side to boot. Best one made.

[@user-yc2oz8kc5k]

Wow, $4400 that have truly multiplied in the past 50+ years. Luuuucky!

[@benbonez]

how cool !!!!

[@jackg9484]

I had privilege to drive a brand new black on black one in Denver. I was in highschool 😅

[@jackg9484]

More of the story..in highschool I was into sports cars, and would hang out at a local shop, run for parts etc. A customer ordered one, his wife hated it and told him to sell it. Had 300 miles on it when it landed at the shop. 3000 when sold 😁 .

[@robertharris7027]

The 289 was always my favorite (since it was the English AC with a Ford engine, the original project). Funny thing: When you have a look at these wheel arches they do not look like the original ones. Replaced at some point?

[@stewartw.9151]

Shelby built the first 70 cars with the 260 cu in motor, and then changed to the 289. Those first cars were IIRC, with the flattened wheel arches as per the original AC Ace. Some refer to those as "Slabsides". I believe that they changed about then to the pattern seen on this car.

[@waltersickinger1499]

289 so much more classic than 427 which has become a cliche due to the number of repos.

[@derrickjustice8891]

Beautiful car. Your excitement and enthusiasm are infectious. Kool :-) I restored a ‘72 convertible Mustang, and I feel the same way when I’m out cruising. What tranny and rear end do you have in your Cobra?

[@SundudeCAN]

original 289 Cobra, chassis no. CSX2182

[@rdecoster1]

I'd be Giddy Happy too if I owned a real Cobra!! Is this a local Puyallup resident?

[@flat6pilot]

He's in the Portland area.

[@Bukkakenist]

Does not look real, more a kit car.

[@BradThePitts]

The opposite is true - two large cracks and a chipped rear fender flare indicates the car is over half a century old. I also don't think anyone would put plastic slip covers over vinyl replica seats.

[@michaelalan1270]

obvious you know nothing about Cobras