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The 1964 Shelby Cobra 427 Flip-Top Prototype was a groundbreaking car developed in response to the growing competition posed by the Corvette Grand Sport. Ken Miles played a key role in the preparation of this prototype, designed to be a testbed for a variety of engines. The CSX2196 featured a new thin-gauge aluminum body with a distinctive flip-forward front. This design allowed for increased accessibility to the car's engine bay, making it easier to swap out and test different engines.
Initially, the CSX2196 was fitted with an experimental 390ci NASCAR engine, making it significantly lighter than the standard 289ci Cobra, weighing just 1,600 pounds—about 500 pounds less than the standard model. After the initial testing, the prototype was sent back to Shelby American, where it was used to evaluate the powerful 427ci engine. The car kept the 427 engine until it was eventually sold by the company, cementing its place as an important part of Shelby Cobra history.
The Flip-Top prototype served not only as a testing vehicle but also as a crucial step in the development of future high-performance Shelby Cobras.
