Top end speed

[RICK LAKE]

BryonRace. Top speed is in a cobra, who has the biggest B@!!S. I couple of guys have run in the low 170's. All say the same thing when done, front end want to take off like an airplane, no ground effects to glue car down. Loss of steering control. Change of underwear, and not doing anything this stupid again. One of the fastest cobras is on the cover of KitCar mag. Ask Steve how fast his car is? This is without any power adders. I have done 120mph with the paxton hood and the car is lifting. 125 mph with a stock cobra hood and small hood scoop. Fast enough for me. Rick L.

[BigGuy]

I think Jamo talked to Dick Smith, a few years ago and he said......

1967 SCCA/ARRC when he won A/P. He was running 3.31 gears he thinks on a 27" tire (and yes, the engine was screaming--this was for all the marbles for the season--confirming ecp's comments). Interestingly, they were Firestones he bought from Mr. Jones because Goodyear wouldn't sell him the latest stuff they had. They were treaded tires--no slicks were available to the SCCA guys in those classes back then. As he pulled into the winner's circle, the announcement came out that he was officially clocked at 198.47. The announcer, thinks he was named Roy, made the comment about how fast that "barn door" was moving. He was given an official certificate signed by Bill France which is framed and hanging on the wall at his ranch. Invited me to get a pic of it in the future for posting here.

He explained that the Daytona setup in those days, as has been previously mentioned here, used the long back straight--no chicane as in later years. He said everyone was hitting very high speeds that day, and that he recalls the chicane being put in years later because of the high speeds being hit.He said the car was like a brick from 170mph on--didn't want to handle at all.

A few years ago, he recalls being at a SAAC function (might've been the Vegas SAI opening), and somebody from Ford was talking just before his time to talk. Couldn't recall who he was, but the guy looked over at Dick and told him he was sorry but that he was going to have to burst his bubble about the 198 clocking. Went on to say that Ford's own clocks had him at 201mph. Dick said the official 198 speed and France's signature are "fast" enough for him.

[patrickt]

Fun reading on potential top speed in a Cobra: http://www.mayfco.com/cobra.htm

[ByronRACE]

I'm with ya on the "balls" comment. It would take a big pair, coupled with suicidal tendencies or a serious dose of poor judgment.

Starting at freeway speeds, mine hits the limit of my comfort zone in a few seconds at half throttle all the while battling wheel spin well into the triple-digits. Power isn't the issue, mortality is.

I have never seen an AC Cobra or Kit at Bonneville, for example. Nor have I heard of any official records over 200mph. Clearly, it's possible to put enough power in the car; so why don't I see anyone that's done it? Someone out there must have been crazy enough to make it happen.

I'd love to haul mine out to Bonneville if life had a "do over" button, but without it I'd fear effects like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hk5DTlgAtt4

Byron

[Jim Kellogg]

JB, we certainly have had some fun at SVRA ;-)

In case I haven't mentioned it recently, you have a beautiful roadster! Great color, and the classic "look". Maybe someday I will have one (after the SPF GT-40 I would like to have....)

Last year at Glenora, I was leading, with a Pantera GTS on my tail, then the Shelbys. I lost the GTS (and the rest of the pack) on a 180 switchback, as I powerslid around the corner while he headed for the ditch (no damage done, he was able to collect it).

A reminder for all who have not been driving for awhile.... be safe out there!!!

Look forward to catching up with some of the Cobra drivers in upstate NY this year.
Jim