The question that Matt mentioned- “What is your favorite car?” – is, for me, an all-too-common source of headaches. As soon as you tell someone you love cars, read about cars, or write about cars, you can safely bet your own genitals the next sentence from their mouth is that question.
And it’s something I honestly cannot answer, because “Favorite” is singular, and if you love cars you don’t just love one car, or one kind, or one brand. There’s too many variables to consider, and every car – even those in the same category- is different. It’s like asking, “What’s your favorite memory?” Try to compare and rank losing your virginity to an amazing day in Italy, or that afternoon building a deck with you dad. Like memories, cars vary in their feel and purpose.
Thank god the TST dream garage is like the human brain, lot’s of storage space. Because what I would park next to the brilliant technological beauty that is the MacLaren F1 LM is the 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 S/C.
The story of the cobra is long, but the goal was to build enough street cars to receive homologation from the FIA. Carroll built 53, the FIA needed 100. The dream was over. So where’d the cars go? 21 were sold to race teams for competition, and the remaining 34 had windshields bolted on, paint applied and rolled out for public sale, dubbed the Semi-competition (S/C).
Talk about profiting from the misfortune of others (Like credit card companies, but without the black heart and eye herpes). The public was presented with a 2400lb car that had the now-famous Ford 427 cu. in. side-oiler. It had 485 rib-jarring horsepower, and the car weighed 500 lbs less than it’s rival, the Corvette. No matter what trim Cobra you got in, it was probably the fastest car in your metro area and even 45 years later it hasn’t fallen that far down the ladder.
60 went past in ~4.5 seconds and it would shake the 1/4 mile marker in 12 flat. But the real test of this car’s brutal power was in the 0-100-0 test. A 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 S/C went from dead stopped to 100mph and back to 0 in only 13.2 seconds; a record that stood for 26 years until the Caterham Seven JPE came along in 1991.
Impressive as they are, it’s about more than the numbers. The shape is classic curvaceous goodness. The fenders are huge, book-ending giant side-pipes, creating a shape that is both beautiful and powerful. It balances beauty and brawn better than any car I can think of. The interior is classic British sports car. Plain round gauges, a wooden wheel, and low bucket seats.
I have never driven a 427 S/C, but I have had the joy of driving a fine replica on numerous occasions. It should be the definition for “internal combustion engine” because that’s basically all it is. Manual steering and brakes, no roof, and a body so thin and light it may as well be made out fog. The car shakes, darts, jumps, guzzles gas and exhales clouds so rich with minerals and gasoline you could probably run another car on the fumes. The steering is heavy, the long-handle shifter is weird, deadly snap over-steer(click for video) is ever-present and the weight distribution is akin to Dolly Parton.
But you just won’t care. From the moment I see the car and feel the keys in my hand, I start smiling, and I don’t stop until days after the ringing in my ears has subsided. It’s the only convertible I happily stare at, is visceral as anything, has racing heritage, it’s faster than hell, and it’s an icon. I’ve never had more fun behind the wheel of anything else.
Zack K
Full specs here.Cobra Acceleration
The cobra is undeniably one of the greatest cars of all time but your numbers are a little bit optimistic. The Cobra cannot do 186mph, thats the whole reason they made the daytona coupe. I doubt a regular one could do 150. and 0-60 in 3.5 seconds? who are you kidding. The tires back then didn't generate enough grip to make that possible even if it did have the power to weight ratio. I would be suprised if a cobra could break into the 4 second range. That being said the cobra was still about the fastest car of it's time. I've driven a replica cobra too and it was probably the most socially irresponsible car I've ever driven. It was awesome.
I tried to find a variety of sources for performance numbers, but it was a chore to drum up solid data. I apologize if the numbers are off, I was going with what several sources had said. I wish I was able to do real world testing, but Carroll won't take my calls. I've done 130 in the replica, and it's the scariest 130 mph ever. I'm sure 186mph is attainable using the power and weight formula, but with the shape of an plane wing, you'd have left the planet before you reached that speed. Front lip anyone?
No apologizes necessary. I don't have any "official" figures either. I'm going off personal experience from driving replicas as well. I saw the wikipedia entry that said the supersnake was capable of low 3second 0-60 times, but I just find it hard to believe that a car built in the 60's could match a Ferrari Enzo or Mclaren F1 for outright acceleration. That said, I found a road test of the Superformance Daytona Coupe on Road and Track's website. They recorded a 0-60 time of 3.5 seconds, but that car is designed using a modern spaceframe and had Kumho Ecsta V710's which are basically racing slicks. So maybe it is possible but I still don't think 0-60 time in the 3 seond range is possible on rubber that predates radials.
To be honest, there have been plenty of road tests and factory data that state that 427 cars were capable to hit 60 in the 3s. It just required an extremely skilled driver..obviously. A little research would reveal that. Also, if geared properly, a 427 Comp or Semi Comp Car will hit 186…they have gone faster at SAAC (Shelby American Automobile Club) convention track days before. Im just a huge Cobra and Shelby Mustang fan so just thought i would chime in.
"chasing classic cars" show, did a great piece on this car. owner was considering selling it. dedicated almost an hour to just talking about this car… really good ep. might wanna check it out.
Great Post…..Entirely agree with your comment on the whats your favorite car question. Get the question all the time as i tend to blurt out hp numbers or state damnnnnnn when i see a nice auto drive by. Picking your favorite car is like picking a favorite child. Shelby cobra is def on every car guys list of favorites though. I drove a backdraft racing replica and it was a little more fun then building the model back when i was 10. Got more questions, thumbs up, honks, stares then any car i have ever driven. Original hybrid, European style with american muscle
I like this car but for me, if you're going Shelby for your dream garage, its gotta be the Daytona Coupe. The lines on that thing are just SO SO sweet. You still get the ridiculous side exit exhaust, the front looks better, and the back is sick.
Fortunately autos ain’t powered by belief!
A Shelby Cobra 7 litre did do 0 – 100 mph – 0 in less than four seconds inna late 60′s and wuz emulated by a VMax motorsicle [Yamaha for the dozy] inna early 80′s.
Now know not everything inna world is logged on the www.
An’ nothing in the universe cares whether you believe it or not…
Cheers
Robert
0 to 100 and back to zero in less then 4 seconds ……. NO WAY. Give me the link to those stats, lkaragon@aol,com
Totally agree on the "favorite car for people who like cars" thing, but definitely some inaccuracies for one of your favorite cars…followed up with and including the Dolly comment (the car actually has a fairly neutral weight distribution, especially in the case of kit cars with small block and aluminum engine components which typically favor a slightly rearward weight distribution). Take another look…the engine is located behind the front wheels, and the occupants are practically sitting on the rear axle. If you want numbers, I believe typical wieght distribution for a 427 S/C is approximatley Front/Rear 48%/52%. Again, with a small block, aluminum heads and/or alminum engine blocks the distribution would shift slighlty more rearward , but not too significantly due to the engine actually being located so closely to the center of the vehicle to begin with.
Dave
I agree with your thoughts on car guys and only one car and the AC 427 S/C having to be one of the favorites, but ending with the Dolly Parton comment? Please take another look at teh car: the engine is located behind the front wheels of the car and the occupants pretty much sit on the rear axle. The weight bias of the AC 427S/C is actually weight balanced slightly rearward…I believe the number being approximatley 48%/52% (Front/Rear). Accurately dimensioned replicas/kit cars with small bloack engines and/or aluminum engine components tilt the blalance slightly more to the rear, but not much considering the nearly centrallocation of the engine on the chassis.
A rear-drive car that weighs less than 2500 lbs. and is propelled with big-block torque is simply a recipe for a monster…especially on street tires.