Big block cobra sales vs Corvette

[Mark E.]

Re: Big block cobra sales vs Corvette

Too cool!

I know this isn't a Cobra Forum, but post a few photos of the engine and interior when you get a chance.

And knowing your enthusiasm for Corvettes (how many can say they have a Cobra and a Vette?!) I'm wondering if you dropped an LS9 crate into that Ford?

[Michael J.]

Re: Big block cobra sales vs Corvette

Too cool!

I know this isn't a Cobra Forum, but post a few photos of the engine and interior when you get a chance.

And knowing your enthusiasm for Corvettes (how many can say they have a Cobra and a Vette?!) I'm wondering if you dropped an LS9 crate into that Ford?

OK, maybe the others will bear with us, here are the pictures you asked for. I am as old school with my Fords as with my 'Vettes. The engine is a 289 Ford based stroker (aluminum block and heads, roller) that Shelby Engine Co. makes, with Webers, as per the original 5 FIA Cobras had. It puts out 450 HP and 460 lb/ft. on the dyno, has a Tremec 5 speed dressed like a T-10, and you will notice the speedo is in front of the passenger. All parts of the car, top to bottom, inside and out, used the original FIA designs Shelby American does. Even has the "dimples" on the trunk lid that had to be molded into the stock Cobra trunk lid so the model "suitcase" would fit in the trunk that FIA required for certification to race in their classes. A neat car. Oh, you'll also notice a '64 Harrison Corvette expansion tank, that was also on the originals, seems nothing Ford had worked as well and Shelby wanted the best.

[Tim G.]

Re: Big block cobra sales vs Corvette

I have an aluminum CSX continuation 427 Cobra and it is a blast, this is my fourth one. It lives peacefully in the garage with the '67 big block Corvettes. It is completely different from the Corvettes and much more demanding to drive. I've driven a number of original CSX cars and the continuation is nearly identical. The Corvette is a more complete car and if it were 1967 and I had to choose between one to drive every day, it would be the Corvette hands down.

[Ed S.]

Re: Big block cobra sales vs Corvette

You guys that own Corvettes and Cobras are exceeding the legal fun limit.

[Michael J.]

Re: Big block cobra sales vs Corvette

I've driven a number of original CSX cars and the continuation is nearly identical. The Corvette is a more complete car and if it were 1967 and I had to choose between one to drive every day, it would be the Corvette hands down.

[Mark E.]

Re: Big block cobra sales vs Corvette

For the most part, except the stuff about the women…….

That is disappointing. Maybe the ladies prefer your Corvettes?

[Michael J.]

Re: Big block cobra sales vs Corvette

That is disappointing. Maybe the ladies prefer your Corvettes?

Well, I can tell you my wife and daughter much, much prefer the Corvettes. The Cobra rides so rough, and has no mufflers for the side exhaust, it really is not a great car for a passenger anyway.

[Philip A.]

Re: Big block cobra sales vs Corvette

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 ?

Does the 10,000 BB vettes include the hydraulic lift motors? An arguably more fair comparison may be the BB Cobra versus the L88 Corvette and then the question flips to why so few L88s were sold. The answers are all above $$$$ versus street-ability/civility.

[John H.]

Re: Big block cobra sales vs Corvette

I was heavily into Cobra kit cars in the early 90's, and built three of them - a Unique and two ERA's, all dressed as 427 S/C's, but powered by 351 Windsors with Robert Yates heads and top-loaders. Just about the most fun you can have with your shoes on, but if you don't respect the fact that the car's capabilities far exceed yours, it can kill you.


Cobrafrt34.jpgMyERA.jpg

[Michael J.]

Re: Big block cobra sales vs Corvette

I was heavily into Cobra kit cars in the early 90's, and built three of them - a Unique and two ERA's, all dressed as 427 S/C's, but powered by 351 Windsors with Robert Yates heads and top-loaders. Just about the most fun you can have with your shoes on, but if you don't respect the fact that the car's capabilities far exceed yours, it can kill you.


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Nice cars John.

[Jim D.]

Re: Big block cobra sales vs Corvette

I was heavily into Cobra kit cars in the early 90's, and built three of them - a Unique and two ERA's, all dressed as 427 S/C's, but powered by 351 Windsors with Robert Yates heads and top-loaders. Just about the most fun you can have with your shoes on, but if you don't respect the fact that the car's capabilities far exceed yours, it can kill you.

The short wheelbase and a power to weight ratio better than any Corvette ever made, yes they were dangerous. I sure liked mine even with over 400 RWHP.
cobra1.jpg

[Jim L.]

Re: Big block cobra sales vs Corvette

The short wheelbase and a power to weight ratio better than any Corvette ever made, yes they were dangerous. I sure liked mine even with over 400 RWHP.

Um, not quite. This had an even stronger power/weight ratio and, when it held together, would outrun any Cobra:

[Jim D.]

Re: Big block cobra sales vs Corvette

Um, not quite. This had an even stronger power/weight ratio and, when it held together, would outrun any Cobra:

I guess I should have specified "available to the general public" HOWEVER, if you want to go the limited production route, the SuperSnake had waaaaay more power than the Grandsport. 190MPH top speed, 800 HP and 0-60 in 3.2 secs.

1965_Shelby_Super_Snake_Rear_Lead3-1024x649.jpg

[Michael J.]

Re: Big block cobra sales vs Corvette

I don't know about all the stats, but I do know that in the early '63 MY, the top drivers like MacDonald and Bondurant were driving the new Z06s for Duntov,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RN6wqaZFTY

and by the start of the '64 MY, they were all driving Cobras for Shelby and winning most all the time, and stayed driving for Shelby in the Daytonas and GT-40s.