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COBRA 'DROP IN ANY MAIL BOX" medallion and key chain

Started by Dan Case, November 07, 2020, 10:50:18 AM

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Dan Case

Here's a sample of a original key chain and factory key set for a CSX2201 and later Cobra 1963-64. Take notice of the Ford ignition key. Cars before CSX2201 used a British Lucas brand ignition switch and key. I have no idea when this was introduced but the medallion art is the same as the S1CS-C mascot emblem introduced with CSX2133 being the first known car to get them.







Its return address is in Venice. They are plated brass or maybe bronze. Lost key sets could be mailed back to Shelby American with the presumed idea they could get the keys to the owner. Automobile insurance companies and some clubs use to provide that key return service.

As far as I know they were included in new Cobra purchases mid 1963 and 1964 until the move to Imperial Highway 1965. After the move there was a new Imperial Highway return address version.

The current auction offering (early November 2020) is missing the chain and ring clasp. Intact original factory key return key fobs and chains are rare. Most I have seen had little plating left on the medallion. Some were severely worn down by years of riding in pockets with other metal. A really nice one has been, on my scale, very expensive since the 1980s.

There was a very different version made in pewter sold as an accessory concurrent to the brass one with new cars. The pewter accessory does not have a mailing address on them.

Dan Case
1964 Cobra owner since 1983, Cobra crazy since I saw my first one in the mid 1960s in Huntsville, AL.

98SVT - was 06GT

1002???? A SA office? The production buildings were 1038 and 1042. There was also one across the field on Carter Ave but it is gone today and the road has been renamed Jefferson Way.
Previous owner 6S843 - GT350H & 68 GT500 Convert #135.
Mine: GT1 Mustang, 1998 SVT 32V, 1929 Model A Coupe, Wife's: 2004 Tbird
Member since 1975 - priceless

A-Snake

#2
The keychain version used after the move to LAX did not use the same art work for the Cobra emblem. I wonder why?

A-Snake

Quote from: 98SVT - was 06GT on November 07, 2020, 01:30:08 PM
1002???? A SA office? The production buildings were 1038 and 1042. There was also one across the field on Carter Ave but it is gone today and the road has been renamed Jefferson Way.

That address 'error' of 1002 occurred on other items produced by SAI, including the Cobra owners dash plaque that customers ordered after purchase.

deathsled

#4
Quote from: 98SVT - was 06GT on November 07, 2020, 01:30:08 PM
1002???? A SA office? The production buildings were 1038 and 1042. There was also one across the field on Carter Ave but it is gone today and the road has been renamed Jefferson Way.

Maybe a rented space to collect mail?  Mistakes abound on such things such as my Hi Performance Motors Ray Wolff business card that spells "Carrol" Shelby instead of Carroll...And this is an original card from Mr. Wolff's estate.  So who knows.
"Low she sits on five spoke wheels
Small block eight so live she feels
There she's parked beside the curb
Engine revving to disturb
She's the princess from his past
Red paint gold stripes damned she's fast"

deathsled

"Low she sits on five spoke wheels
Small block eight so live she feels
There she's parked beside the curb
Engine revving to disturb
She's the princess from his past
Red paint gold stripes damned she's fast"

Side-Oilers

I guess that typo makes the "drop in any mailbox" not so much of a guarantee to get your keys back. 
Current:
2006 FGT, Tungsten. Whipple, HRE 20s, Ohlin coil-overs. Top Speed Certified 210.7 mph.

Kirkham Cobra 427.  482-inch aluminum side-oiler. Tremec 5-spd.

Previous:
1968 GT500KR #2575 (1982-2022)
1970 Ranchero GT 429
1969 LTD Country Squire 429
1963 T-Bird Sport Roadster
1957 T-Bird E-model


Dan Case

Quote from: Side-Oilers on November 07, 2020, 08:51:37 PM
I guess that typo makes the "drop in any mailbox" not so much of a guarantee to get your keys back.

There is no address typographical error. 1002 Princeton was just one of several business mailing addresses Mr. Shelby, Carroll Shelby Enterprises, and Shelby American had. They also had TELEX addresses.
Dan Case
1964 Cobra owner since 1983, Cobra crazy since I saw my first one in the mid 1960s in Huntsville, AL.

69mach351w

Dan, Thanks and I hope I speak for everyone. Without the Wealth of Knowledge of members like you, along with others, we'd never learn and make good "educated", with emphasis on educated, decisions.

Dan Case

Dan Case
1964 Cobra owner since 1983, Cobra crazy since I saw my first one in the mid 1960s in Huntsville, AL.

Side-Oilers

Current:
2006 FGT, Tungsten. Whipple, HRE 20s, Ohlin coil-overs. Top Speed Certified 210.7 mph.

Kirkham Cobra 427.  482-inch aluminum side-oiler. Tremec 5-spd.

Previous:
1968 GT500KR #2575 (1982-2022)
1970 Ranchero GT 429
1969 LTD Country Squire 429
1963 T-Bird Sport Roadster
1957 T-Bird E-model

Dan Case

Dan Case
1964 Cobra owner since 1983, Cobra crazy since I saw my first one in the mid 1960s in Huntsville, AL.