Where did ideas really originate from?

[decooney]

I can't help but continue to notice some of the sleek & curvy, V8, sidepipe-equipped type racing muscle cars that came about five or so years prior to the Shelby Cobra. No disrespect here to the Cobra or its origin, but the concept of small car with a big roaring eight cylinder was not a new idea. Built, completed, and raced as early as 1957, pictured here is the Maserati 450s, Tipo 450s - V8 with roaring sidepipes. Just seems like these concepts were really starting to crackle in 1957 before the Cobra.

Maserati Tipo 61 450s, Lister V8s popping up back then... Please forgive me for saying this, but it seems these cars are the true grandfather and concept origin to the 289 & 427 Cobra, roaring sidepipes and all. I find it interesting to see how things might have developed back then.

And, guess who is pictured driving #98 here at Grand Prix Riverside 200 Miles in 1960?. Yep, you guessed it - ol' CS himself. Sidepipes, V8, curvacious, exotic, quick. Hmmmmmmmm...