Shelby loses trademark battle over Cobra shape

US COURT RULES COBRA DESIGN IS NOT THE PROPERTY OF SHELBY.

Carroll Shelby has been locked in a Patent and Trademark court battle against the American replica builder,  Factory Five. Had he been successful it may have worried the life out of the 200 or so different makers of Cobra replicas around the world. Anyway, he wasn't. It was deemed that the car started life as an AC Ace with a Ford engine in it. Another consideration was that "he has enjoyed huge popularity, in-part, due to replicas."

A Factory Five Mark 4.

Carroll Shelby's own 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 Supersnake. Twin Paxton supercharged 427 (800bhp) with 3-speed auto. It was upgraded by Shelby himself from one of 19 production competition Cobras.