This car is a replica first seen in 2001. See Thames Ditton Cobra Register (for the original) and replica leaf spring cobra Appendix (for the replica).
The last known owner of the Thames Ditton 2358 as a continuous history vehicle is Allen Pankopf Ford, PA, USA, in 1964. This vehicle is believed destroyed in the 60s.
The car that appeared in 2001 has features and absence of history indicating that it is not a Thames Ditton cobra. The evidence includes:
ƒ{ ¡¥An inspection of the vehicle revealed that its primary and secondary VIN-stampings were incorrect or missing altogether. Its footbox identification tag was a reproduction with incorrect stampings and an incorrect engine number; and various features of the car-including the footboxes, pedals, pedal box, hood prop-rod, leaf springs, steering column geometry, dashboard, gauges, door hinges, inner panels, and engine bay layout-all indicated it was not the legitimate CSX2358.¡¦ [SAAC SAWR 4th edition pages 221 & 222, this public domain information being readily available.]
ƒ{ The absence of authoritative record of 2358¡¦s existence for a thirty five year period (1965 to 2000). [To be classified as existing now a car must have continuous history as a complete vehicle since manufacture.]
ƒ{ The car exchanges hands at a price much below a Thames Ditton cobra in similar state of repair.
ƒ{ The recent authoritative statement that the car¡¦s body/chassis unit has no VIN stampings. [A Thames Ditton cobra has VIN stampings in five separate places.]
The message is (a) research cars by examining authoritative sources and (b) caveat emptor.
