Responce to Coyled

[Evan H.]

I lost my note to myself and got through the filter so here goes.

Bob: I understand what you are saying and it makes some sense. However, why then was SAI trying to homologate the 427 for the FIA. Was the plan to get the 427 homologated and then build limited Daytona 427's to take advantage of the FIA modified body rules? That seems like it could have been a plan.

I suspect that the reason they kept the body style similar to the 289 despite its aero dynamics was the fact that the Cobra at that time was well known due to its previous success and they wanted to maintain its basic shape, yes probably for sales purposes and to maintain recognizability. After all the 427 was designed from scratch after using 289 prototypes. If they wanted a pure "racer" they could have designed anything. But wasn't the idea behind the FIA GT competition to put production cars against one another not special dedicated racers? I thought it was anyway.

While I can't speak for others on the "other side" I will speak for myself. My point is simple. Modern SBs benefiting from development undoubted do make very good track engines. In many cases they can be made to easily make as much power and at times more than a BB. BB's however, not having the benefit of nearly as much development seem to acquit themselves very well at competitive track events and many times best the SBs. Not bad for garbage truck engines.

Finally, while I understand the competition in the SCCA was not what it would be in the FIA the skill level between drivers in their respective racing bodies probably had comparable skill to each other. So, assuming the 427 was homologated what would have been its competition in the FIA? What was the 427's competition in the SCCA? Just curious.

Although I do not "race" my car and for the time being have no desire to, if I were to "race" it would be in something other than a Cobra. Probably a Porsche 911 or M3 with full roll cage protection. They are just as fast and safer on the track.

Finally, its seems that your friend "Rem" basically takes the position that the Cobra was just a piece of $hit and is amazed at the complete success of the car and its timeless appeal. Maybe "Rem" is and was too wrapped up in pure race cars to appreciate what the little peice of $hit of a car accomplished. Maybe the Cobra wasn't the best race car or the best car period. But it possessed a magic that is unquantifiable and still does. Despite its flaws it became one of the worlds most famous cars instantly recognizable not only by racers but by the average person. Can't say as much for the Daytona, Ford GT or especially the Scarab.

In the end its the Cobra that won out even with all its flaws. Its the only one that continues to transend generations and maintains wide spread appeal like no other car. Not bad for a peice of $hit.