Cobra Driving Takes Skill

[john chesnut]

As a former AZ state police officer I saw all too often the results of stupid driving. To often innocent people are hurt or killed by someone that screwed up. The street is NO PLACE for racing of ANY KIND or even just "Goosing it". The race track with a controlled enviroment, safety crews and a PROPERLY equipped car is the only place to test your or the cars limits. Lending a Cobra to an untrained and unqualified driver is a receipe for disaster. I can't blame the insurance companies when so many people are willing to commit out right fraud to make a claim.
I am building a Cobra. I am struck at how the drivers of the 60's were willing and able to drive it so fast. The narrow track, short wheelbase, relatively high center of gravity, and BIG horsepower takes real skill to control.
I read a lot on this forum about 500hp is the minimum for TRUE Cobra. I like the power, I like the image, I like the sound, but the fact is that most of us can never really use it. If you run period correct tires and an original style suspension you can not put all of that power to the ground efficiently. I have had a 538hp carbed 427 engine in one of my Dragons and I have 405hp fuel injected 364cuin in one now. I like the smaller engine. In the quarter, it runs mid 11's on street tires, runs cool, idles good, has great throttle response, and gets oer 30mpg, and weighs 385lbs.
I'll get off of my soap box. Lets all be safe out there. John