Big block cobra sales vs Corvette

[Walter F.]

I think most everyone agrees the big block Cobra was probably the fastest car in its day. But why were sales so poor ? Where nearly 10,000 big block corvettes sold each year in 1966 and 1967, why were the Cobra sales so anemic ? Recently reading about the 15 most unsafest cars ever built, Shelbys Cobra was on the list. Supposed spinouts were unpredictable at any speed. Could safety have been the reason sales were so bad ?

[Michael G.]

Re: Big block cobra sales vs Corvette

Maybe because of its general driver-friendliness. In those days, most guys didn't have the luxury of several cars, so you had to pick your car with daily driving in mind... The Cobra was blindingly fast, but equally uncomfortable. A 427-435 Vette wasn't quite as fast, but it was also fairly well mannered and not that hard to drive in traffic.

Probably other reasons, as well. 427 side oilers were not all that common, I'm not sure if Shelby could have made more cars, maybe a Ford guy can chime in...

[Leif A.]

Re: Big block cobra sales vs Corvette

Walter,
I agree that the big block Cobra would routinely eat a BB Corvettes lunch in a quarter mile race. IMHO the reason they didn't sell in volume was because they were a completely uncivilized, bare bones, knock your teeth out kind of ride. I went to high school (graduated in '67) with Bobby Tasca, Jr whose dad at the time owned the second largest Ford dealership in the country. We routinely would go by the lot and "test drive" any number of cars including the Cobra's...scary car and not what I would have wanted for a daily driver. On the other hand, the Corvette (by this time) had become very civilized and with the many factory options available, was a very nice and comfortable daily driver...which is what these cars were for back in the day.

[Harry S.]

Re: Big block cobra sales vs Corvette

There was a significant price difference between the Cobra and the Vette. There was also a nasty technical problem, especially on the convertible.
If you constantly got on the Cobra it would warp the frame to the point where the doors no longer functioned. You needed to take the Cobra back to have the frame bent back into its' original configuration. A torque problem. The small block didn't have that problem.

[Mark H.]

Re: Big block cobra sales vs Corvette

I wouldn't say sales were anemic. They just didn't build very many. They only built 348 427 Cobras and counting the 289 Cobras from '62 to '67 the grand total was 1,003 cars. Then you factor in things like side curtains, no roll up windows and has been mentioned they were a beast to drive.

[Jim S.]

Re: Big block cobra sales vs Corvette

There was a significant price difference between the Cobra and the Vette. There was also a nasty technical problem, especially on the convertible.
If you constantly got on the Cobra it would warp the frame to the point where the doors no longer functioned. You needed to take the Cobra back to have the frame bent back into its' original configuration. A torque problem. The small block didn't have that problem.

Can't say I've ever heard about frames bending on BB Cobras The coil spring cars, 427's, used a 4" diameter tube frame while the 289 used a 3" diameter tube frame. With a rough life a 289 Cobra would have the greater chance of frame flex.
The total number of Cobras built of all varieties was 998, with about 343 being coil spring cars (mostly BB) and the balance leaf spring SB cars.

By 1965 when 427 production began, Ford was no longer interested in antiquated Cobras. They wanted to develop the GT40 for LeMans.

A late 1964 289 street Cobra base price was $5,995. Street 427's were $7000. and up if comp equipment was included.
A base 64 Corvette roadster was $4037. The Corvette had roll-up windows, a fold down easy to erect soft top, exterior door handles, door locks, the options of power brakes and power steering and even AC. None of that was available in a Cobra.
Even a highly optioned 64 Corvette hardly reached $5000. It took a 'special' individual to buy an expensive Cobra with no creature comforts.
Some BB Cobras languished in showrooms into 1968 and later unsold.

BTW, a stock 289 Cobra is a docile driving car. Put in third at 25 MPH and you can tool along at any legal speed. Just be careful when you floor it in first or second.

[Russ S.]

Re: Big block cobra sales vs Corvette

Is this a Ford forum/restoration society?

[Duke W.]

Re: Big block cobra sales vs Corvette

The reasons have been well covered, but to summarize, Cobras had a body that was basically like any other fifties vintage British roadster. They were cramped and hot with a Mickey Mouse soft top and plastic sliding side curtains that leaked in the mildest rain. Yes, they were the fastest thing you could buy back then, but very crude by the standards of the day.

When I was a ME undergrad at the U. of Washington there was a Ford dealer on 45th street, a couple of blocks from where I lived, and in the spring of '67 a 427 (not a S/C) showed up on the showroom floor. The sticker price was over $9000. Cool car, but it must have sat on the showroom floor for at least a couple of months. I'm not even sure if there was an OE radio option, but certainly one could have been added, and A/C was out of the question although maybe an aftermarket system could be installed, but it would likely be very expensive, but not necessarily well engineered.

For no more than $6K you could buy a loaded Corvette (with A/C except L-71) with all the comfort and convenience options available on any sedan, plus in coupe or convertible form it was an all weather car that you could drive anywhere including commuting and road trips, which is what virtually all were used for. The were daily drivers with performance and style, and very few owners raced them either legally or illegally.

In contrast the Cobra was an expensive and narrowly focused car that was mostly used as a fair weather toy by car guys with more than the average means who could afford to tie up close to ten grand in a weekend toy.

Duke

[Paul H.]

Re: Big block cobra sales vs Corvette

I think a good analogy is current new Corvette sales versus Viper sales. The Vettes are more comfortable and can be bought at a more reasonable price. The Cobras and the Vipers are a less comfortable more primitive sports car that may not appeal to the masses like a Corvette. Personally, I like them all.

[Ed S.]

Re: Big block cobra sales vs Corvette

I suspect that the desire factor was strong for the Cobra, the will or means was another story. Cobra's were in a class of their own. The closest thing that Ford had to a Corvette (and I am not trying to start an war here) were big block specialty Mustangs, and they weren't all that drive-able on a daily basis either.

[Kenneth B.]

Re: Big block cobra sales vs Corvette

Cobra's were hard to get. I ordered one in 1964 from a dealer in Fort Wayne In. I waited 5 months & they never got one. Spun a main bearing drag racing my 63 R code 427 so I had to order a GTO. Probably a good thing as I probably would have killed myself.

[Michael J.]

Re: Big block cobra sales vs Corvette

I remember, just before I ordered my 50th Anniversary '64 FIA Cobra, a friend sent me this to convince me to get one:


"If you want to just gas and go, and never have to worry about replacing an alternator, or snuggling down the header bolts, or getting a wet leg driving in a rainstorm, or learning how to set your carb (or Webers) float level, or driving in traffic on a warm winter day with "winter gas" in the tank, get a Corvette. "

With a Cobra you have to remind yourself that you are driving a hand made race car on the street. There is no compromise for anything other than pure speed. These cars are brutal and unforgiving, with all the refinement of a medieval battle ax. Like being in a relationship with an exotic dancer, you can never take anything for granted. These cars don't have millions of miles of testing refinement before you get yours. For any trip longer than an hour, you need earplugs, and goggles, and carry Advil and eye drops. You will need to learn to "read" the clouds for rain in your path, and have experience in unwrapping your frozen fingers from the MotoLita. You will experience lady passengers "wetting" the passenger seat when you merge into traffic from an on ramp, and then nearly burn their calf getting out of the car.

You will have all the invisibility of a burning Hindenburg, and flee from underground parking lots when uncountable car alarms are screaming your departure. When you shop, you will remind yourself that these cars get more attention than a dead body in a parking lot.

With a power to weight ratio better than almost every supercar, you will find your 1/4 mile times traction rather than power limited. On the other hand, when you stage, out of the corner of your helmet's visor you will see almost the entire audience lining up at the fence, most with cameras up. If you track on a road course with a Porsche club, owners of expensive German machines will come to the fence to watch you power out in smoking oversteer. You won't even try to start your engine in the garage, but push it out onto the driveway, else your loyal watch dog will croak from the exhaust fumes. If you idle next to other "sports" cars at a traffic light, by the green, their girlfriend will be coughing green phlegm into her hanky, yelling at her date to just go! When you refuel, you might as well prop the "bonnet" open, because you are going to have to show your motor to just about every other guy there. When you order your wings at Hooters, your waitress will whisper in your ear "take me for a ride." When you stop at the red light, the girl in the convertible next to you will invite you to "take my top off too."

When you slowly pass a troop of Harley riders, they will look over and give you thumbs up. When you want to ease out into traffic, other cars will immediately pause to let you go ahead of them. When your engine has its hot, crackling, intimidating exhaust sidepipe aimed right at the flank of the GTO, or the Z28, your exhaust pulsation's slowly unscrewing his lug nuts, the other car will remain motionless, as if the slightest quiver of his car will cause your car to stomp it dead. When you leave it open in a parking lot, and come back to find your sunglasses and cell phone still sitting on the tunnel, it is because your car has sullenly warned those who came over to admire it "touch me and I will rise up here and kill you dead."

When you put that tiny silver key into the ignition, and begin your start countdown, your car will whisper "take me for granted, and I will kill you."

When other drivers just hop in and snap up their belts while backing out of their parking space, you will still have two more minutes before you even get all the Simpson's properly on and snugged down. Pulling up in a Cobra is like landing an F4U at an ultralite convention.

In summary, very, very few drivers want this kind of attention, or can tolerate all that a formidable Cobra demands. These cars are intolerant mistresses.

But remember, there will come a day when you have to hang up your car keys for the last time. And perhaps you want to say then "I did it."

-author unknown

[Mark E.]

Re: Big block cobra sales vs Corvette

"Most people will choose 90% of a million dollars over 50% of two million dollars. It's basic human stupidity." - Bernie Ecclestone

This quote is out of context, but what if this refers to a scenario of choosing between:

- A single bet with a 90% chance of winning $1m
vs.
- A single bet with a 50% chance of winning $2m

Yes, the expected value of the latter is greater, but it also has the greatest probability of receiving nothing.

Given this scenario, people will choose based on their risk tolerance, not necessarily ignorance.

[Mark E.]

Re: Big block cobra sales vs Corvette

I remember, just before I ordered my 50th Anniversary '64 FIA Cobra, a friend sent me this to convince me to get one:

"If you want to just gas and go, and never have to worry about replacing an alternator, or snuggling down the header bolts, or getting a wet leg driving in a rainstorm, or learning how to set your carb (or Webers) float level, or driving in traffic on a warm winter day with "winter gas" in the tank, get a Corvette... "

Michael,

Your post made my day. I'm still giggling. After owning one for awhile, do you find this perspective about living with a Cobra to be true?

And did you order fiberglass or aluminum? Inquiring minds want to know.

[Michael J.]

Re: Big block cobra sales vs Corvette

Michael,

Your post made my day. I'm still giggling. After owning one for awhile, do you find this perspective about living with a Cobra to be true?

And did you order fiberglass or aluminum? Inquiring minds want to know.