Black 289 in CA with "OCOBRA" plate

[Cobra Ned]

OK, California Cobra aficionados: Here are some photos of a black 289 Cobra with a red interior that was photographed in the '80s when it used the blue CA tag "OCOBRA." It appears to me that the side vents and emblems near them are installed somewhat low, possibly suggesting this was not a car that originally came with them. Who recalls this car??

[6s2055]

Two observations. One,the side vents are about 2-3 inches or more low. Second, the powered by Ford emblem is also mounted way off. The wheel well opening's looks overly "flared". I referenced my observations on pictures taken in 1966 & 1967 of Cobra's I owned.

[6s2055]

Also, why mount the plate on the bumper when it's place is on the trunk under the plate light?🤔

[sd427]

Also, why mount the plate on the bumper when it's place is on the trunk under the plate light?🤔

To avoid drilling holes in the trunk?

[98SVT - was 06GT]

Chevy powered kit?? side view maybe shows rear sump oil pan. Cobras were pretty flat in side view. The rear wheels look a little sparse on wires too. It looks like the back edge  of the rear wheel is too far out

The guy who did Alvin & the Chipmunks had a 289 with that type flare.

[6s2055]

sd427....As I remember.....and that's a stretch.....both of my Cobras had the holes to mount the plate already in place below the plate light. My second Cobra CSX2192 had front and rear flares but quite different. I had chrome wires on my first. While the knockoffs look right the spokes look a little different.

[CSX2259]

Chevy powered kit?? side view maybe shows rear sump oil pan. Cobras were pretty flat in side view. The rear wheels look a little sparse on wires too. It looks like the back edge  of the rear wheel is too far out

The guy who did Alvin & the Chipmunks had a 289 with that type flare.

That is the pedal box and exhaust pipe, not an oil pan.

[Cobra Ned]

I agree with the various observations. I believe that it is a genuine Cobra, as I think what might be thought of as an oil pan is actually the custom exhaust pipe. A number of folks used the back bumper for their plate, especially if the car had received a hit and the standard holes had been filled. The flares have been rounded and enlarged, and the wire wheels are wider than standard. And the flares are definitely similar to those of 2206, which was David Seville's car. But this isn't it. There's lots that stands out on the car, which is why I hope someone might recall it.

[TA22 (Gary Goeringer)]

Ned, this kinda looks like a NorCal car most recently purchased out of Gilroy.....now in Martinez ?? 

[Side-Oilers]

I can't read the license plate year tab well enough to determine the year of these pix. 

But, due to the fact the car wears late '70s style Radial T/As, I'd guess no later than 1985.

[6s2055]

Just a thought to maybe narrowing the CSX#. If the side vents were added going backwards from the first CSX with them, then narrow those delivered with chrome wires may narrow it some. Met the owner of the first side vents. He lived at Tahoe at the time and I think he also had a '66 GT350 Paxton car. Just a far out thought!

[6s2055]

Also, CA Black plates 1963-1969, first Blue 1969-1980, second Blue 1980 to 1986 I think also think that may have been personal plates were available.

[SFM5S000]

Also, CA Black plates 1963-1969, first Blue 1969-1980, second Blue 1980 to 1986 I think also think that may have been personal plates were available.

Hello Terry aka 6s2055, 

As for personal California blue plates, they were available mid 1970's as my brother had "3VOM" ordered and put on his car. The meaning of that was, when he came up behind someone and looked in their rear view mirror it read "MOVE".

Also this Cobra in question isn't the only early Cobra with added side (unique) vents in the wrong place. I've been working on Tom C's 63 csx2079 going on some 8 years+ (very slow project). It has very unusual side vents , flares and Borranni wire wheels. Webers too.

Hope all is well, hello to Mrs K.

Best regards,
~Earl

[sd427]

Not sure if it is of any help, but the license plate looks like it has the larger format font, from before the 7 character plates were introduced.  In my notes, the narrower font was started in 1979, when the regular issue plates were in the nnn WLA range. The 7 char regular issue 1 AAA 000 plates started in 1980, but I am not sure when 7 char personalized plates were first issued.

The CA DMV website says personalized plates started in 1972.

For dating purposes, and for the regular issue, non-personalized plates, approx dates:

AAA 000 started 1963
000 AAA started 1969
1 AAA 000 started 1980
2 AAA 000 started 1986
3 series 1992
4 series 1998
5 series 2003
6 series 2008
7 series 2013
8 series 2017
9 series 2022

[Side-Oilers]

^^^ Correct.   But just to sharpen the pencil a bit:  The 000 AAA series blue-and-yellow plates came out in Sept '69, not much/any earlier.   My dad bought a new '70 Chevy in late Sept '69 and it got 472 ADA as the plates.