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The difference between a 1963 Galaxie and a Cobra replica is about 1500 pounds. With a high torque motor - 450-550 ft. lbs. - in a lightweight car you just don't need low gear ratios to get underway. The more time spent shifting is less time accelerating. You'll hear from Cobra guys with "power to burn" motors that just a few shifts through the quarter mile is all that is needed or wanted to turn in a good time slip, i.e., 11's at 120+. I have a 3.73 axel ratio in my SPF with a Tremec 5 speed and I go through the traps at a little over 120 at close to 5.8k rpm.

The 5 speed gives a good rpm while loafing on the freeway at 70-80 mph too. Back in 1970 I had a Hemi-Cuda with 4.10 gears and an automatic. I hated driving on the freeway for any length of time at anything over 55 mph since the motor spun too high for my liking. Some guys really like the new Tremec 600 with the closer ratios, a .82 5th gear mated up to a 3.50 rear end ratio.