My Velocity blog on how a ride in a cobra changed my life

[kvisser]

I have an interesting update to my initial Cobra experience. To recap :My infatuation with the Shelby Cobra dates back the mid 70’s, when I caught my first glimpse of a blue 427 Cobra rumbling down Reading Blvd. It took me nearly 2 years of furious pedaling to finally figure out where the Shelby lived. As a gangly 14 year old, I went up the door and introduced myself. I showed the owner my Shelby binder of magazine articles and ads. Then asked if I could have a photoshoot of his Cobra. Rick said yes under one condition, that I not tell anyone about where the car lived. Even better, he gave me a ride. I can remember every second of that short blast. “I’m going to accelerate now, don’t let you head snap back and hit the back of the cockpit.” Seriously...

Here is the update, this past Sunday I was involved in an enthusiasts rally thru the horse country of Northern Virginia, starting in Middleberg. We were number 4 in line with an Austin Healey up front, a 70's Porsche 911S and a real deal 73 Porsche Carrera RS with the factory lightweight setup and the duct tail then my friend's 328 Ferrari. At times, the Porsche just walked away from us. At the lunch following the rally, the owner of the Porsche emailed me for contact purposes. As I was leaving the event, the organizer mentioned that the Porsche owner was from Reading and his dad was a serious collector.

Then the last name rang a bell. I emailed John the Porsche photos and then separately sent an email telling the above Cobra story.

He emailed me back " Rick is my dad. He passed away 2 yrs ago. That blue cobra was my uncle johns. I went to gov mifflin sr. High. The Shelby was my dads and he also owned a red 427 cobra after they sold that blue one. Great shots. Thanks for sending them to me. Really a treat. We will have to catch up more sometime.

John"

I was stunned at the coincidence but immediately enthralled as well. What a small world. John is awaiting the return of his dad's C3 Cunningham roadster. I can't wait to see that.