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

[kvisser]

I've been chasing cars for well over 35 years now. But you alway remember your first. In my case it was a 66 427 Cobra. I talk about that story in my latest blog for the Velocity Channel. I thought you guys might get a kick out of it.

Amelia Island Concours, the Shelbys - Velocity

It sorta funny, I don't think I would be in this position if it hadn't been for that initial contact with a Cobra. I just knew I had to find that car. It took 2 years of sleuthing and pedaling to discovery the location.

From that point on, I was enthralled with cars of all sorts of genres. But the Cobra was always my dream car. Now I live vicariously thru my friend's superfomance side oiler.

Below is the intro to my piece.

Shelby, a name that invokes an image, a brand, a legend. Throw Cobra in the mix and you have fear and speed all mixed into one muscular four wheeled beast.

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...

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I found the slides some years ago. Sometimes it pays to be a pack rat. They were a little worse for the wear but I still scanned them.


I'd like to other's stories of how they found or were introduced to Shelbys. Who was your Rick? Who took the time to show you the ropes?

regards

ken visser

my other 3 blogs

Amelia at Sunrise: Automotive Sensory Overload - Velocity

Saturday at Amelia, Finding the Cars ... - Velocity

On the Road to Amelia Island - Velocity