New Butler Owner

[cycleguy55]

Originally Posted by RallySnake

Joey,

That looks like the car that Ron Butler used as a display model in his Goleta shop.

The Butler cars are built much stronger than any of the other Cobra's. The primary frame members are 3" by 4" rectangular tubing and they make the car very rigid unlike many replica's or originals. The cockpit is surrounded by steel tubes and the doors have 2" by 4" rectangular tubes running from the hinges to the latches. The fiberglass body's are extra thick and strong, too. If you are ever going to be involved in an accident in a Cobra, the Butler is the best one to be in. The biggest advantage of this extra weight is that it's very low and makes the center of gravity very low. I have had some very hairy experiences in my 29 years of Arntz ownership (the earlier version of the Butler) and it's very difficult to flip the car over.

RS

"much stronger than ANY other Cobras"? I try to avoid superlatives when making comparisons, especially when objective data isn't available to support my assertions.

I haven't been able to find any photos of the Butler frame, but the photo I was able to track down of the Arntz frame (Which Goodyears are these (Arntz from 1980 Hot Rod pics)) showed a ladder design. If the Butler is similar, I'd argue non-ladder, '3 dimensional' frames such as those used by Factory Five (and others) are most likely stronger and lighter. Example: Design - Factory Five Racing

Here's another data point as well - the frame / chassis used in the West Coast Cobras: http://www.cobrakit.com/Chassis/Chassis03-900.jpg - this is similar in concept to the FF, though not as elegant in its design or execution (sledgehammer approach). I have a WC Cobra that was built in 1991 - there are no cracks showing anywhere in the body. I can also put the car on jack stands and I can't detect ANY torsional twist when I put a jack on a corner.