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  Article Image gallery (25) T10-002 Specifications  
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Country of origin:United States
Produced in:1967
Numbers built:2 (3 Tubs)
Designed by:Len Terry for Shelby American
Predecessor:Cooper T61M Shelby King Cobra
Author:Wouter Melissen
Last updated:August 06, 2014
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Click here to download printer friendly versionWith the Cooper-based, Ford V8-engined King Cobras introduced in 1963, Carroll Shelby produced one of the first cars to the formula that would from 1966 be used for the popular and hugely lucrative Canadian-American Challenge Cup (Can-Am). At the end of the 1964 season, Shelby had been summoned by Ford to sort the GT40 program, which had suspended the production and development of the King Cobra.

After Ford scored the most desired outright win at Le Mans in 1966, Shelby once again had some time to explore his options. Branching out to Can-Am, where competitive cars were in high demand, was naturally on the top of the list. Still involved with Ford's competition program, Shelby and his own engineers did not have the time to develop a new car, so the work was outsourced to Len Terry in England. He had previously designed the 1965 Indy 500 winning Lotus and also the first Gurney Eagle single seater.

Terry laid down a straightforward, full-length aluminium monocoque chassis. Less conventional were the front and rear suspension, which featured a single transversely mounted coil spring. The springs were connected to the top wishbones by rockers. This layout offered more adjustability and adaptability as the body-roll could be controlled by the anti-roll bar independently of the stiffness of the actual suspension. The dampers were mounted in a more familiar location, which would also allow a relatively easy re-configuration would the new system not worked as planned.

Ford was naturally also involved and supplied Shelby with a prototype V8 engine. Based on the legendary 289 small-block, the new 351 was cast entirely in aluminium. The engine would form the basis for the Windsor and Cleveland V8s. It is believed that as little as three and certainly no more than six blocks were cast in aluminium. A similar cast-iron block was used for NASCAR during the period. Equipped with Gurney Weslake heads and four Weber carburettors, the experimental engine produced in excess of 500 bhp.

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  Article Image gallery (25) T10-002 Specifications