A non-competition 427 roadster was converted into a Super-Snake (CSX 3303) and given to Shelby's close friend, Bill Cosby.Shelby American Cobra CSX 3303, one of the two fabled 'Supersnake' 427s built specially to Carroll Shelby's personal specifications as the 'Cobra to end all Cobras!' Shelby loved the idea of building the ultimate Cobra and when Shelby ribbed his friend Bill Cosby that he should have a Cobra, Cosby replied that he would buy one if it could go 200 mph! Shelby rose to the challenge and built a car to the same specification as his own, it featuring twin Paxton Superchargers, automatic transmission, huge bonnet bulges and delivering somewhere in the region of 800-900 bhp! CSX 3303 was delivered to his friend Cosby with a plate attached to the dashboard which read "This car is guaranteed to do 200 mph. (signed): Carroll Shelby". CSX3303 gave both parties wonderful publicity, providing Cosby with plenty of material for his comedy record album '200 mph', the Supersnake being used by both Cosby and his friend Hank Madeiros on the successful West Coast show circuit tour of 1968. With some obvious truth to a joke made by Bill Cosby that the car frightened him and following a year of substantial promotional benefit for both Cosby and Shelby, the Supersnake returned to the factory, and was displayed at the Oakland Roadster Show in collaboration with S&C Motors and Hayward Motors. CSX3303 was then sold to Mr. Tony Maxey of San Francisco CA. As documented in the Shelby American World Registry, the following year Maxey unfortunately crashed his new acquisition with disastrous personal consequences on the Pacific Coast Highway. The damaged Supersnake was then left unrepaired until purchased by Gordon Gimble of Cobra Performance in Sacramento who, after removing the special engine and running gear for use in the famous Ford Phaeton Street Rod, sold the damaged chassis and title to marque Specialist (and future owner of A.C Cars) Brian Angliss in Surrey, England. Mr. Angliss Angliss began a three year restoration of CSX 3303 utilizing a new chassis and 16 -gauge aluminium skin panels, however decided to fit a standard race 427 engine including 48 IDA Weber carburetors and running gear. Upon completion in the late Seventies the Cobra was sold to one of the UK's most respected collectors, Sir Anthony Bamford of Staffordshire, England. Sir Anthony has since owned the CSX 3303 for much of the past thirty years, passing it on to his friend Nigel Moores for a brief spell in the 1980's, returning it to his collection about ten years ago. It was only recently that Sir Anthony discovered that not only did the Ford Phaeton Street Rod still exist but was residing as a static display in a museum and it still retained the Supersnake's original special motor and many other original parts! Recognizing a unique opportunity he purchased the Ford Phaeton Street Rod allowing the respected UK restoration company Gelscoe engineering to remove from the Hot rod Ford Phaeton and reunite the Supersnake with most of its original mechanical components. The Supersnake's motor was found to be very original with the bearings still stamped 1965! Paxton Superchargers were re-fitted using the original patterns and a correct 3 speed automatic T-6 gearbox was also installed. The original brake callipers were re fitted and so also was the original rear axle and crown wheel and pinion. The steering has been returned to left hand drive configuration and the dashboard to its original layout.

 CSX 3303 was featured on a episode of Victory By Design. To view this video, click on this link.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_MRhgeNHhI

To view a video of Bill Cosby and Jay Leno discussing Bill's infamous Cobra, click on this link.  http://uncutvideo.aol.com/users/meandstriker/f2ad41abac524db736ca1a8150b45bc1?index=0

I have received an email from one of my readers, that this car is indeed the infamous Cosby Cobra CSX 3303. These pics are after the restoration of the wrecked original car, but before the replacement of the supercharged 427 and restoring the steering wheel to the left side. My thanks to Ned Scudder, SAAC Registrar