10 Most Expensive Collector Cars: CSX3015

[DAVID GAGNARD]

The value of this car dropped like a brick after it was pushed into the weeds at SAAC31 by some old dude w/ a beard.
Dick was a great driver and quite the gentleman. He is sorely missed.

I had a ringside seat for that "event" at SAAC 31,watched the whole thing happen as I was not too far behind Dick at the time....he joked about it afterwards!!!!!!!!!!
Agree,you be hard pressed to find a nicer guy,heck of a driver even at his age then, and for sure, a gentleman in every way....

Rick: I would be very skeptical the the original engine was in the car at SAAC 31, I'm betting the original engine has been long gone......with the car/drivers extensive race history, those engines didn't last that long and were discarded once they were used up or blown......

David

[RICK LAKE]

DAVID GAGNARD Dick was friend to everyone and a very sharp person. I was there when the car went trough tech at VIR and also at dinner with him and Heather. Head said that the motor in the car was the orignial one that Joe B had rebuilt years ago. He had blown up a couple of other motors and the big motor was too much for the car to handle. Dick said that the only body repairs done to the car where paint and the nose cone was damaged racing. I have no reason not to beleive him. I have picture of the car under side when it was in the FFR hauler. There have been some add on but the bottom of the car had 40+ of racing on the frame for sure. As far as mowwing the grass, I watched the whole thing happen. John M. was over to Dick right after the race and said he was so sorry for the adventure into the cow field. No damage was done to either car and Dick signed John banner at their camp. Class act both ways. Hope they don't let another Dodge with an novice driver in the historic race again. Every one was really lucky on the checking up on the end of the long straight.
I never asked but wonder where the motor that turned 198 went to? The original could also have sleeves in it to. He knew that the orignial motor made the car worth alot more than a replacement. The guy to ask would be Dick's engine builder Joe B. He is still building FE motors. He knows how to make them last and live for years. I got 7 years from my shelby before switching to a 482 stroker, same block and heads of 14 years. Same HVHP oil pump with a 100# spring. Have not hurt bottom end yet. There maybe something to running high pressure and volume. Rick L.

[A-Snake]

Originally Posted by RICK LAKE

Dick said that the only body repairs done to the car where paint and the nose cone was damaged racing.

I wonder if someone forgot about Sebring 1968..."a Porsche slid into the Cobra and caused it to hit a post backwards. The post ruptured the fuel tank, causing a fire which damaged the rear portion of the car's bodywork" ...quoted from the 4th edition of the World Registry.

[philminotti]

Not to change the subject, but I've always wondered why the two super snakes had slush boxes. I'm sure there was a trans/clutch combo that would have been up to the task. Anyone know why?

[DMXF]

Perhaps because the potential of automatics as the optimal transmission was starting to be recognized. I recall the J car Ken Miles was testing and died in had an automatic. Didn't top shelf sports race cars like the Chaparral use automatics?

[Don]

Originally Posted by DMXF

Perhaps because the potential of automatics as the optimal transmission was starting to be recognized. I recall the J car Ken Miles was testing and died in had an automatic. Didn't top shelf sports race cars like the Chaparral use automatics?

" In 1964, at Laguna Seca, the Chaparral 2 introduced an “automatic” transmission, which eliminated the clutch pedal and freed the divers left foot to operate the brake while keeping to other foot on the throttle "

Chaparral 2

" tell me about the cars automatic transmission: "It was a semi-automatic transmission, it wasn't fully automatic. It had a three-speed transmission with a torque converter and a lock-up at 5,000 rpm. It was quite complicated to get it running. The steering column went down between your two feet so the left foot could only work the brake and the right foot could only work the gas pedal. "

Elford2J

[Bartruff1]

Other than the original, I doubt any Cobra could make the top 100... but those cars seldom change hands and hardly ever at a auction.... take a walk thru Pebble Beach or Amelia Island or even Kirkland to see the Billionaire Boys Club's cars.