The Cobra Registry represents decades of research, documentation, and historical preservation dedicated to the cars built by Shelby American and AC Cars. Its purpose is to record known histories, ownership chains, and identify details of these vehicles so enthusiasts, historians, and collectors have a reliable reference point.
A Cobra's serial number and documented history form its pedigree. The registry helps establish a benchmark against which vehicles claiming to be genuine can be evaluated. By preserving accurate historical records, the registry plays an important role in protecting the legacy of these cars and preventing that legacy from being diluted by misrepresentation.
Much of the information has been provided by owners, collectors, and enthusiasts. While registrars carefully compile and review this material, it is not always possible to independently verify every detail. For this reason, the registry should be considered a starting point for research, not the final authority on any individual vehicle.
As the value of Cobras and related Shelby vehicles has increased, so has the incentive for counterfeit or misrepresented cars to appear in the marketplace. Accurate records and historical documentation are therefore essential when evaluating a vehicle's authenticity.
The goal of the Cobra Registry is simple, preserving the historical record as truthfully as possible. A car's history cannot be rewritten to suit a later owner. Over time, the truth of a vehicle's history will always emerge, and protecting that truth is central to the mission of the registry.
