ERA vs SPF

[Hal Copple]

As for the performance of the 427 FE motor, it does seem interesting and even perplexing to me that just about all the contemporary quarter mile times of the originals, and the later re-tests that are published, put the quarter mile at about 13 seconds or so, with trap speeds of say 110. Perhaps those were hand timed speeds, on non-prepared drag strips.

I was asking this of a friend of mine, who is very knowledgable about Shelby history, why the original cars seemed so relatively slow, compared to what I and others can easily run nowadays.

I mentioned the 12.2 quarter mile of a 428 car from the mid '60's as part of the discussion. My friend told me that that one was no 428, but a custom, specially built 427 engine.

I don't doubt it, as there was so much covert engine tweaking back then, that reading about those Muscle Car tests makes great reading. For instance, the famous GTO 389 car, was actually a race prepped 421 car!

I am well aware of the GT MKII 40 prowess, and have a healthy respect for the great engines of the '60's. I have no doubt that with modern technology, an FE can be made into a formidable powerplant. Even the current drag magazines comment on how much easier it is today to make predigous engine power, compared to the '60's engines.

And Evan, Mac DeMere, senior test driver for Michelien here in SC, who drives instrumented cars all day at their Laurens test track, has instructed me and my son in my car at Charlotte, running Hoosier slicks. He told me that my car, thus equipped, is easily a 1.25-1.3 G car. Having ridden with him, with the car so loose yet in his total control at 100+ mph in the turns in the infield course, with the Armco a few feet away, I can say with confidence that the handling capabilities of my SPF and your CSX car are so far above our abilities, we could be in pedal cars compared to what professonal driversr can do in yours or mine.

Roland Linder, two time LeMans winner for Porsche, his Ferrari F-40 featured in the Dec FORZA, has driven my car on a race track, and told Chris and I that it was a superb car, with wonderful transitions. What ever that means. I think he meant it cornered pretty well. I am sure he would have said the same of your car.