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Old 08-31-2006, 04:18 AM
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REDSC400 REDSC400 is offline
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Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Southeast, CT
Cobra Make, Engine: ERA #375 427 S/C - 428FE - Toploader - 1968 AMX 390 Go Pack 4 Speed - My Daily Driver is a 2004 Crossfire
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Most all of the original 427 Cobras were equipped with the Ford Toploader transmission. The toploader came with the bent shifter and T bar (lockout from reverse). On the original Ford cars the bent shifter was placed in the car with the bend to the rear of the car. In the Cobra the shifter was flipped 180 degrees and allowed for easier "at hand" shifting.

If you used a straight shifter with a toploader, the shifter would be situated more rearword and you would be shifting with your right arm positioned far back and down... not a comfortable position IMHO.

Additionally, the bent shifter on 427 Cobras reproduces the classic look. If you changed to a straight shifer, many knowledgable folks would query you as to why you would do that.

The straight shifter is used in the 289 Cobra that ERA makes.
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