Cobra vs. Cheetah

thorconstr · #1 (**permalink**) 09-26-2008, 04:53 PM

Didn't Bill Thomas build the Cheetah?

mr bruce · #2 (**permalink**) 09-26-2008, 04:58 PM

nope, give credit where credit is due-http://www.donedmunds.com/fullsize/sportcars/index.htm

MacGyver · #3 (**permalink**) 09-26-2008, 06:15 PM

I heard rumors over the years the car was so short the trans was bolted directly to the diff. Is this true? If not how long was/is the driveline?

427supr · #4 (**permalink**) 09-26-2008, 07:16 PM

I'm sure I'm too big to fit in one, but does anybody know the cost of the continuation Cheetah? It seems pretty close to the original. Did they all run Chevy"s?

Pete Munroe · #5 (**permalink**) 09-26-2008, 07:40 PM

Guys,

Here is the website for the group doing a "continuation" of the Cheetah.

http://www.65cheetahccc.com/home.html

The diff and trans tail stock are connected with a u-joint...no drive shaft.

There is a great Hot Rod Magazine (March 1964) article on the Bill Thomas Cheetah that I think I found at the ClubCobra site...would attach the pdf. file but I don't know how...sorry.

Pete

mr bruce · #6 (**permalink**) 09-26-2008, 07:53 PM

I got a 10" driveshaft in mine, moved the moter foward to help the balance of the car. Stretched the wheelbase 3" for more legroom, for big fat people, (you ain't gonna fit in an original sized car ,unless you're 5' nuthin') widened the fenders so you can fit 14" wide tyres. All the Hp in the world will do you no good unless you can get it to the ground. Drive on over to the 'Burgh and take a test drive.

Ronbo · #7 (**permalink**) 09-26-2008, 09:45 PM

Shell Valley also makes a kit:

http://www.shellvalley.com/Replicas_...eetah_Replica/

Too bad GM lost interest, once they got the chassis worked out this was quite the rocket.

Although I don't like the old C3 independent rear design (or the Jag design from that era). At higher speeds the rear got very loose.

Quite scary.

mdross1 · #8 (**permalink**) 10-16-2009, 08:10 AM

A great looking car to me.For years in this area we had an alcohol big block powered Cheetah terrorizing the drag strips.It was an absolute joy watching this thing launch.Reminded me of the wild fuel altereds.My big block Cobra will have to do, oh,the agony of it all!

Tommy · #9 (**permalink**) 10-16-2009, 08:43 AM

I had never thought about it that way until you mentioned "altereds," but an original Cheetah is sort of like a road course altered. Like the drag race altereds, on the track they were very exciting for both onlookers and drivers. Exciting is a good thing for the audience, but not necessarily for the driver.