"Cobra or Tank?"

NRP/MN · #1 (**permalink**) 03-06-2004, 09:05 PM

I own a race car fab shop and do engine installs for Superformance vehicles Currently we are doing an install on a new "Brock Coupe" Most of the people we have met or dealt with have had a passion for these cars that originated thirty years ago and are "historians" of the marque. The proud owner of Superformance Coupe #36 is having us install 427 Roush and is very excited to get it home. Today, after giving many customers a "little eyecandy" tour of this great car the yet unamed owner came in to see our progress (or lack of) and during a conversation I asked what led him to purchase this car. He immediately told me his wife encouraged him to buy it .It seems he had been deliberating between buying a Cobra or an "ARMY TANK". He is not well versed on the historical aspect of these automobiles, but knows a great car when he sees one. I thought it was pretty funny given the two choices appear so different. (Chet, I hope your not reading this!) Anyway, this is a unique customer, a great guy and I'd like to welcome him to the Cobra community here in Minnesota!! Mike Beamish, Northern Racing Products.

Turk · #2 (**permalink**) 03-06-2004, 09:16 PM

Between the coupe and the roadster, with all apologies to Mrs. Chet The Coupe looks more like a tank than other way around.

TURK

celling3 · #3 (**permalink**) 03-16-2004, 07:58 AM

Greetings,
I am here to verify that the story Mike told about Army Tanks (acutally a LAV-100 Wheeled Armored Vehicle) and the Brock Coupe is pretty accurate. The wife's comment was, "well, the coupe is certainly more practical than that #%*$ Tank you want to get". I need to chuckle, PRACTICAL? 500+HP in a 2900 pound chassis is practical? I like the way my wife thinks. I think I picked a keeper.
I do look forward to meeting more of the Minnesota Cobra community this year. Maybe we as a group, can get Mike Beamish at Northern Racing to host a Cobra Get Together this year?

Chet Ellingson
With a Practical Brock Coupe

REAL 1 · #4 (**permalink**) 03-16-2004, 09:52 AM

Where will you drive the tank? A classic Sherman, Tiger, Panther or T32 would be cool but are they street legal?

One thing, there will be no arguments over parking spots.

klayfish · #5 (**permalink**) 03-16-2004, 10:26 AM

Uh...I'd recommend the Cobra. Remember what happened to the guy who tried to drive a tank on the street??

Steve

celling3 · #6 (**permalink**) 03-16-2004, 10:37 AM

Greetings,
Actually the TANK in question is actually 4 wheel drive Armored Vehicle, and street legal. See address below. The Coupe will go much faster.
Chet Ellingson

http://members.tripod.com/~ButlerC/Z...elCarrier.html

SPEEDEAMON · #7 (**permalink**) 03-16-2004, 01:13 PM

Chet and Mike,

How about posting some progress photos so we can all see what you're building?

Shin

flipper35 · #8 (**permalink**) 03-16-2004, 01:17 PM

With the LAV, you wouldn't have to worry about door dings. I assume the Vulcan isn't part of the street legal version. Though it would go a long way towards limiting VISABLE road rage against you.

Gregg(What's his name)? · #9 (**permalink**) 03-16-2004, 01:34 PM

either way a Tank will let people know not to piss you off on the highway. a 120mm sabot round would do wonders to get your point across.

Gregg H

Ozgur_Tan · #10 (**permalink**) 03-16-2004, 03:16 PM

I was work on development of akrep armoured vehicle ten years ago. I've got several good stories with our prototype (3.5lt V8 + 5 speed manual transmission + 3.54 diff. ratio). This lovely specification changed to (2.5lt TDI + 4.11 diff. ratio) just after serial production. But, I always prefer cars with weight is less than 1ton

(instead of 3.5ton)
Ozgur TAN

Lowell W · #11 (**permalink**) 03-16-2004, 05:54 PM

TOW? 20mm Vulcan? I'd have a hard time making up MY mind! With the Coupe, you could outrun 'em. With the LAV, they could outrun you but they wouldn't dare!

flipper35 · #12 (**permalink**) 03-16-2004, 06:24 PM

It would be one of the few vehicles that could generate more attention then a Cobra (Coupe or Roadster).

celling3 · #13 (**permalink**) 03-17-2004, 06:06 PM

Ok,
I have posted a couple of photos as requested.
It wont be long now.
Chet

Badger · #14 (**permalink**) 03-22-2004, 10:18 PM

Hi Mike... Peter Brock here....Glad to hear of your involvement in the coupe rennaisance with BC 036. Let me know how your install is coming and if you have any questions. What tires do you plan on using? there are some good option out there now in this regard. Regards....PB

Dave Engel · #15 (**permalink**) 03-22-2004, 10:45 PM

Boy are you going to get a kick out of this Mike, I got a call from a guy in January that needed some engines built for him, I said no problem what do you have, he tells me he has the only runable 1942 shermin tank with a 30 cylinder muti-bank chrysler driven engine in the U.S. What? Seems chrysler took 5 truck motors and coupled them together to make 1250 c.i. and put it in the shermin. So here I am trying to scrambling together parts to build this thing. The tank is mint, he had it shipped from Argentina and its setting not far from your house.

Hope things are going well, plan on painting Kendalls car soon, completed one Roadster, FFR coupe in the works.

Dave Engel
nengel@frontiernet.net