HP vs. laptimes vs. driveability/fun

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by ERA 626

The 289 cars would constantly beat the 427 cars because the 427 cars would not be able to manage the HP to the track and spin the tires. In other words the 289 cars would smoke the 427 cars much like the 125cc karts smoke the 250cc karts. Assuming driving skills are equal.

Well, from what I remember about 20 years ago, I performed some research, looking at the race results from 1965 / 66, races that included both 427 and 289 cobra's racing simultaneously, at the same track, under the same conditions, but obviously in different classes. From all the races that I was able to review the data ( maybe 10 races), the 427 cobra (s) always finished ahead of all the 289 cobra's. I did not include DNF's.

[Buzz]

Originally Posted by Anthony

Well, from what I remember about 20 years ago, I performed some research, looking at the race results from 1965 / 66, races that included both 427 and 289 cobra's racing simultaneously, at the same track, under the same conditions, but obviously in different classes. From all the races that I was able to review the data ( maybe 10 races), the 427 cobra (s) always finished ahead of all the 289 cobra's. I did not include DNF's.

Absolutely the same results as I found in my own research years ago. The myth that the 289 Cobras consistently beat the 427's is just that - a big myth.

The truth is that the 289's won more races before the 427's came along because they enjoyed a longer period of factory support, while the 427 program never really took off due to focus in other directions (Daytona Coupe & GT40) and the changing face of racing itself that rendered open roadsters like the Cobra generally less competitive overall.

In the hands of privateer racers, when they were raced against each other, the big block Cobras with their greater power and improved suspension almost always blew the 289's into the weeds. The legacy of the 289 is that it brought home the championship trophies. The 427 just never really got the opportunity.