AC 289 Original

[What'saCobra?]

Hey, slick, we agree.

i would only give SA and CS the greatest of accolades for their race accomplishments, particularly by Dave McDonald and Ken Miles, amongst others.

But, the greatest preponderance of their production was street cars, that were nearly all AC content and design with a brief completion by SA and a few more by a few dealers (another interesting story.)

Sure, what makes the cars interesting is the race history and the romance around those stories, some of which may have actually happened. By the way, the privateer entries won lots more races than SA through the years, but that is more because FORD stopped paying the race bills for the 289 at the end of 1963.

But, then again, i am not sure they were a GREAT race car. They were a GREAT production car that could be modified to race successfully against other production cars because they were superleggera construction (very light) and FORD thin-wall V-8 powered, as modified by West Coast engine demons. For instance, without Webers, the car was much less effective, mostly. 40 HP made that much difference.

Cobras never had a chance against serious race cars. Only in the production car class.

This is not a mute point, particularly regarding the 427's, which were instantly outclassed by Lola t-70's, McLarens, Chaparrals and other great race cars of the day. For instance, no Cobra ever built would have a chance against a 2 liter Sports Race car of the late 60's or any of the Can-Am race cars.

But, they were the greatest Production car of the day (arguably) and therefore won the WMC for production cars, as the 289 Daytona. The 427 won SCCA championships, but little else.

Go drive a historic 2 liter Sports Racer from the late 60s, such as a Chevron B19 or a Lola T212, and compare it to a full race Cobra.... the difference is simply breath-taking.

But, you can't drive the Lola on the street and that's the difference.

Cheers.