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Nice pic ToyCollector...Does he run as fast or faster than the Cobras ? I'm thinking about selling my SPF and getting one of these, cheaper, safer and probably more fun to race than a "street" Cobra. Would you guys agree with that ?? How have you seen the race prepared GT-350 R's compare to the Cobras on the track ??
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Argo1,
I have both an ERA 289 FIA Cobra and a 66' GT350R clone. I have open tracked both cars and there is no comparison. The short wheel base on the Cobra makes it a bit twitchy in the corners and with only some fiberglass and a single loop roll bar I do NOT feel comfortable pushing it. The Mustang on the other hand has a full roll cage, fire system, 17" Hoosiers, Baer brakes and a nasty 12.4:1 289 that loves to be a 6-7000RPM I feel safe and and can (so far) out run any Cobra in the Green group at Thunderhill. So if you are serious about racing or open tracking my 2 cents is a GT350R is the only way to go. Either that or a Daytona Coupe. Which is my current project. But I will be sad to see my GT350R go. It is such a sweet track car. FIA Mike |
...that's what I thought Mike - thanks for the input.
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I second the comments of FIA Mike. My GT350 clone was a much easier car to drive fast than the Cobra. It could be a little unsettled in bumpy turns because of the solid axle and stiff suspension, but on a smooth track, it was as predictable and neutral as a car can be. Easiest car to steer with the throttle I have ever been in....can't do the same heel and toe in the Cobra --and cheap-- with 50 or 60 big Mustang parts suppliers around, there is actually some meaningful price competition.
I love the Cobra, but miss the Mustang, especially the room in the foot well. |
35k seems to be very reasonable. I paid 22k for mine but it is a street car. Mine is lowered with reinforced frame. Brian put in a stock '69 windsor. If I were racing I would race a gt. Taking ones 40-50+ k cobra on the track is ....I like real steel. If I remember correctly the 350 kept up with the 289's.
I was driving an old Honda as my daily driver. It was ready to die and I was going to buy a new Honda. My wife stated that we didn't need a third Honda. The light bulb went on...and I searched the internet for a mustang. Again I drive my car every day. The only problem is because it is lowered some driveways and speed bumps are impassable. Just do it. Stan Recently I just had side exhausts put on the car and it has satisfied my need to drive the cobra al the time. |
Thanks Stan - I plan on it. Gotta unload my SPF first :( :(
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I can only second those comments from the standpoint of a spectator, but I've seen a lot of vintage racing and it's a hard-driven Cobra that runs away from a GT350. Maybe that's because the Cobra guys are more concerned with their investment, maybe it's because a lot of the GT350s sound like they're running 13:1 NASCAR motors (more power to 'em--they sound GREAT), but whatever.
I had my eye on a clone of a Shelby Trans-Am notchback for a while. Yellow with flat black hood and front fender tops, R Model wheels, a beautiful car. Got sold before I could do anything about it, but there are tons of Mustangs out there. Guys, there is another Shelby T-A clone for sale in Autoweek right now for $28K that sounds like exactly what we're all lusting after...somebody go buy it, please-- |
Hmmmmmmmmm -
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Agro,
John W was being modest. He bought a Cobra originally to race and got into the same quandery you are in. As he, and I as well, got more racing experience, we both agree that we would rather flail around the track in a GT350 than a Cobra for all the reasons you see above, never mind it is also a cheaper car with parts supply plentiful. The other problem with the replica cobras is not many events allow the 'glass cars to run--not SVRA/HSRA. You can have just as much fun, safer, in a GT350/Z28/Cougar of that era. VERY competitive class in HSR. I'd never want to see a SPF owner part with their car, but if you are bent on only one car and it needs to race, I'd go 'stang. |
LateApex - Whatever I do it has to be full race, and it just takes too much damn $$$ to get that SPF full race...But the 350R is another story...I can get that thing full race AND have the security of a full roll cage - my driving is just to agressive to go out and tear the SPF up, or kill myself for that matter...
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TO BUILD A RELIABLE, COMPETIVE GT350 FOR THE TRACK CAN BE AN EXPENSIVE ADVENTURE. A GOOD FRIEND DID ONE AND WHEN HE WAS DONE HE HAD ALMOST 60K INVESTED. BY THE TIME HE GOT DONE WITH THE ENGINE (351 WITH WEBERS, TRICK EVERYTHING...ABOUT 480 HP) ,JERICO, FUEL CELL, REAR END COOLER, WIDER TORQUE THRUSTERS, AL RADIATOR WITH BUILT IN OIL COOLER, PLEXI GLASS WINDSHIELD AND REAR WINDOW, ACCUSUMP, FIRE SYSTEM ETC. HE WAS MORE THAN COMPETITIVE. WON THE ENCINADA GRAND PRIX TWICE. HE GOT HURT RECENTLY, AND IS SELLING THE CAR. HE KNOWS NOW THAT IT WAS AN EXPENSIVE HOBBY AS HE MAY GET 30K FOR IT. HE DID "EAT ME ALIVE" ON THE TRACK WHEN I RAN MY COBRA. HE HAS BIGGER BALLS! MY GT350 THAT I NOW HAVE (#2055) THAT IS SET UP FOR THE TRACK IS EVEN LESS COMPETIVE, BUT STILL WORTH MY INVESTMENT PLUS.
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ONE ADDITIONAL COMMENT. AS FIA MIKE POINTED OUT, THE GT350 IS FAR MORE TRACK FRIENDLY, ESPICIAALY AT THUNDERHILL AND VIRGINIA CITY HILL CLIMB. BUT A NOTE TO SNAKEEYES. AT MONTEREY TWO GT350'S PUSHED THE SMALL BLOCK COBRAS PRETTY HARD. IN "THEORY" THEY WERE TO BE 289'S, BUT THE WEIGHT DIFFERENCE WASN'T THAT BIG OF AN EDGE.
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Terry certainly is qualified to speak on this topic, from years of Shelby and Cobra ownership. He was a 289 owner when I was still peeing in my diapers.:3DSMILE:
I apologize for some misinformation. I guess I subscribe to too many magazines. That Shelby clone was not in Autoweek, it is in the current (February) issue of "Vintage Racecar Journal & Market Report". The picture is of a Mustang coupe on a track with wide tires, R-model front clip, etc. The full text of the ad is as follows: "1965 Mustang "K" Coupe recreation of Shelby trans-am coupe. Has run HMSA, SCCA, SVRA events. Always front-runner at fraction of trans-am car cost. Rush 347 small block with dyno time only, built by pro race shop. Log books from 1991. $28,500. (408) 578-8232 Tim." Sounds like somebody might get a really nice deal... |
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Y'all got this poor boys hopes up and then ***** slapped me back down.:CRY: ;) Maybe Toy Collector will take me for a ride in his GT350. |
Argo1, did you ever get that GT 350R clone?
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Well, I’m reporting back after a season of open track in the 66 coup that I bought last Christmas. I woulda preferred a GT 350 clone but as Terry says, they are pricey. I went with a 66 coup with a 347 stroker , a Total Control suspension and rack and the car is a blast. You can do things that you’d never dream of doing in a Cobra. With the mustang you can focus on driving and passing without that constant sense that the car is ready to step out. The extra wheelbase in the Mustang permits the non-expert to drift it through the turns secure in the knowledge that it will behave in a predictable manner. I miss the romance of the Cobra and I have no doubt that 4 seasons in it helped make me a better driver but that said, the Mustang has made getting around the track at speed much, much easier!
Cheers, Pete C |
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