Few cars are as instantly recognizable or as iconic as the AC/Shelby Cobra, and although there have been several replicas over the years, Ford itself hasn’t seemed too keen on reviving the nameplate for more than two decades, as that’s when we last saw a modern Shelby Cobra concept from Ford.
However, all that could be about to change with a new trademark filed by Ford at the European Intellectual Property Office.
The Cobra Gets A Makeover
The trademark, as usual, doesn’t give many specifics, besides to say that it could be used for vehicles and models thereof. Normally, we might assume that Ford is simply protecting an existing trademark, but on this occasion, we think there’s more to the story. Why? Because Ford also trademarked a new logo for the Cobra.
While the old logo clearly represented the hooded snake, depicting sharp fangs and narrow eyes, this new logo is far less aggressive. In fact, the depiction looks almost nothing like the reptile. On the one hand, one could argue that this is a sleeker, more modern look, but on the other, brands like Jaguar have proven that a heavily simplified logo can often seem uninspired.
What Could The New Cobra Be For?
Ford CEO Jim Farley said last year that the company was done making boring cars, and a new Cobra would certainly be anything but dull. While a reinvented Cobra seems unlikely, the Mustang GTD wasn’t on anyone’s bingo card either.
That said, Ford is not afraid of muddying the waters when it comes to its performance brands. The Mustang Mach-E is a clear example of this, and we can’t rule out the possibility that Ford is considering turning Cobra into another sub-brand, potentially for cars that have more than two doors. We’ll just have to wait and see, but whatever plans Dearborn’s finest have for this treasured nameplate, the weight of expectation that will accompany the badge will be immense.
