For many years I have dreamed of making a long trip in the "Beast". It's one thing to run long rallies in the Cobra, the checkpoints keep you on your toes. Running cross country is a whole different ball game. With all that horsepower on tap, it's a constant compromise of speed versus noise and "the Law". My son and I drove from LA to the Grand Canyon, Four Corners, Roswell, N.M., Ft Stockton, Del Rio, San Antonio, Austin, Houston and home.
My son, David, got about an hour a day of driving experience. He got a very special driving lesson in the snow at the Grand Canyon. That's not something that happens often in LA!
There were no other people at the Four Corners Monument. It has a wide paved area circling it. I could not resist. I punched it and did a four wheel drift around four states in four seconds! Then, I got out of there, quick. I hope that's a record that will stand for awhile!
Snow, rain and big puddles of water in Roswell had me worried, but the Arntz never missed a beat. Never saw any extra-terrestials, either. I suppose the weather kept them away?
The Texas Cobra Club's meet in Austin was the deciding factor that made this trip a challenge I could not resist. All of you guys were so much fun to be around, it was hard to leave. To be part of a group of 73 Cobras and a GT40, all in one place, was quite a trill. Your organization was outstanding in every respect, including the weather! I will wear the TCC badge on my windshield proudly.
My 17 year old Arntz performed very well. With the hard top, the new classic seats, the Tremec 5 speed and the Toyo tires, it was almost comfortable. The biggest problem was the noise! The differential whine and wind howl were unbearable without ear plugs.
After spending a week with my parents in Houston, it was time to head home. We used Interstate 10 most of the way. We made El Paso the first night (800 miles) and home the next (850 miles, three states).
The sight of a Cobra on the open road draws a lot of attention. We had all kinds of reactions from people. One family followed us into a McDonalds parking lot in Pecos, Texas to see the car. After their little boy sat in the car for a bit, he said, "how do you fit in there"? The hard top makes the car a little cramped but there's no lack of headroom. One day, I'll bet he will be building his own Cobra. Coming through Houston, one 'ol boy in a pickup decided to race with me. He must have changed his mind after he passed me and a tire blew out. He got it to the shoulder safely, though. Something about the car just encourages people to speed, I guess. A couple in a brand new silver Altima decided to race with us coming out of Tucson. I just held my speed and let them fly on by. We saw them a few minutes later parked in front of a Highway Patrol officer, who was writing as fast as he could
Special thanks here to the Texas Sheriff who cruised past us and waved. I looked down to see my speed at 92! My son said, "you can get away with almost anything in this car"! Cobra's just get extra coolness points, I guess.
Paul
The 4000 Mile Road Trip.
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