GT40 or Cobra?

[Le Mans]

All these cars Will be a good imvestment As the global economy stumbles and stock markets crash

[flipper35]

Originally Posted by cobrarob

I driven both cars , I can tell you that there is absolutely no comparison when it comes to attention on the road , the FORD GT gets more attention than anything I have ever driven , so much so you continue to worry about someone running into you which is probably why I dont drive it very much

I can sometimes drive the cobra for miles without anybody so much as noticing me and without being modest my cobra is not hard to look at with a 585HP 427 it is a beast , titanium and black , SPF 17" fully polished wheels , 335s , lowered to the ground

The FORD GT is unlike the replica GTs in so many ways I cant even begin to go into it , most people will drive a lifetime and never see a FORD GT on the road , there are a dozen cobras in my neighbourhood

Also dont forget the FORD GT is a classic and will appreciate with age , unfortunately none of our replicars will ever get that chance

I feel comfortable talking on this topic as I cannot be critical either way as I am on both sides of the fence

As previously noted on this thread , just my $.02

Actually, I have seen as many Ford GTs on the road as Cobra replicas.

[Le Mans]

Hi

Currently own a era 427. Previously owner of kva gt40 302 with webers and correct zf gearbox. In my experience Can state the following: driving experience of Cobra is better (on Nice weather) and It is like driving a motorbike without helmet.
GT 4o offers better roadholding but It is a pain to Enjoy a ride. W/o airco, distributor ticking on your neck, stepping into It is a thrill. Unless you Enjoy these Things..

[cscott672]

Lots of interesting replies and food for thought. I own an RCR40, KVA40, and FFR cobra.

The gt40 is much more of an attention whore because of its rarity. Just showing up in one says something. It is hot even with aircon, and getting the SO to go for a ride can be tricky even though she loves the way it looks. It is tight inside, so you better not be claustrophobic! It definately handles better at speed than the cobra with less drama. The gt40 is pretty much a race car anyone can own and work on. I have embarrased a few guys that spent A LOT more on their "sports" cars.......

I had the cobra first, and would never sell it. Just like riding a moto, but more comfortable and slightly safer! I bought a Ferrari next, and it did handle a lot better than the cobra. Unfortunately, it was not fast enough!! ;o) (we won't even go into how ridiculous the parts costs are) After that experience I started looking for an affordable supercar that I didn't have to drop 30-40k if I blew the motor/transmission "performance" driving! :O)

I looked at the GT, but it got crazy expensive the minute you put it on the track and get agricultural with it! ;o) The choice was pretty easy, and the parts are available at a reasonable cost if you have an off in the gt40. So far so good!

[Brent Mills]

The Cobra is a luxury car compared to the GT MKIV. The cobra has a huge trunk (IF you compare to storage in a GT ), the suspension supple (at least on mine), and visibility is great. The GT, well, it's cramped, hot, visibility sux, and packing a tooth brush requires thinking. That said, it does handle really well and is fun to drive.

[SwiftDB4]

Originally Posted by Brent Mills

The Cobra is a luxury car compared to the GT MKIV. The cobra has a huge trunk (IF you compare to storage in a GT ), the suspension supple (at least on mine), and visibility is great. The GT, well, it's cramped, hot, visibility sux, and packing a tooth brush requires thinking. That said, it does handle really well and is fun to drive.

Your MKIV cockpit makes a Mark I or II seem absolutely spacious Brent! You need that Mark II LeMans suitcase bin. Seriously you can't get more outrageous than your MKIV! Are we going to get you back to PIR for the Historics?

[Igofastr]

Nice "pair", Brent.

[Dwight]

Brent, what color red is your GT 40?

Dwight

[Brent Mills]

swiftdb4: I will be down there this year, but I do not have a corral pass. Know how I might be able to get one?

Dwight: Ford Rangoon Red.

[SwiftDB4]

Do you know which day Brent? I'll contact Cascade Cobra guys to see what we can do.
Dave

[Brent Mills]

I plan to be down there at least Saturday.

Thanks Dave.

[Dwight]

thanks Brent

[Historybuff]

but I'd say if the GT40 is from a kit and doesn't have AC it will be a real problem trying to get anyone to go on a long trip as it is a real cookbox for passengers. On the other hand some Cobra kit cars don't have a top so there you are wind-blasted/rained on.

I have another question that is akin to if you are an intermediate skiier and someone wants you to go on the Advanced slope. My question is: are some guys well able to handle a Cobra but the GT40 operates on a higher plane and they really shouldn't be over there because it demands more? I tried to ask John Morton for instance, if drivers back in the '60s who were good at cobfras were scared of the Gt40 which even in 1964 could top 210 mph? he said they didn't pay attention to top speed, only the lap times or what rpm they were in. Nevertheless I read where Tom Payne , Cobra driver, was given a chance to drive the Mk. II at Romeo Proving Grounds and he returned white knuckled and pale faced and said
he was "scared to look a the gauges" so
I think some cobra drivers were realists in that they knew they could handle 170 mph but 210 mph was a bit faster than they wanted to be going.
Maybe that should decide it, do you belong on the intermediate slope or the advanced slope?

[PatBuckley]

I would think that 210 in a GT40 is way more manageable then 170 in a Cobra.

I don't think race drivers pay any attention to top speed. I think they pay attention to how fast they can go around corners.

[Le Mans]

I do agree. See Le mans 1969 final lap. But with Cobra you Are looking at 1955 ac design, gt40 is 1964 lola design. Ten years in racing development is a century. See How Things changed between 1969 and 1970- one year and then came porsche..