More Pommy Xenophobia

Fred Douglass · #1 (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 09:41 AM

The Brits just can't resist! I just finished reading an article in the current issue of EVO on "Scary Cars" in which the 427 S/C is duly maligned as a evil-handling, uncornerable beast. The proverbial straw, however, was a claim that the cobra was "Britain's Scariest Car". I wrote the mag-eds a letter which explained that that foolish statement was "tantamount to calling the XK120 France's sexiest roadster". I also explained how the evolution up from the 260 cobras had made the 427 a new species.

Let's see if they print it.

Ron61 · #2 (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 10:21 AM

Actually Freddie they could be correct. There were Cobras sold in Britain with a COB prefix but I don't know how many nor if any of the 427 comps were included. Also several Cobras with a COX prefix were sold in South America and other parts of the world. These are legitimate Cobras, just not shelby built with the CSX prefix.

Ron

VRM · #3 (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 12:22 PM

Didn't we just have this topic??

Just about all Cobras (including 427s) had chassis and body constructed in England. Engines (except for COB and COX cars) were built and installed in the US.

Most people consider the chassis to be the essential bit of the car, so the English have a pretty good case.

Steve

Fred Douglass · #4 (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 12:38 PM

Scroom (Dutch verb) I say. A 427 enjine is onna ours. Also, I doubt the pinheads at EVO will winnow out the difference. Hope you guys are wrong....

Nonetheless, I consider the Cobra to be our thing...engines a car doth make, IMHO!

Cheers all,

VRM · #5 (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 01:36 PM

Freddie,
The Sunbean Tiger is similar. English car with an American engine.

I think you will get published...but I think you will get ripped up and down by the Brits who want to claim the car as completely theirs.

Without the Brits there would be no Cobra. Without the Yanks there would be no Cobra. It really does not need to be claimed by one country or the other IMHO.

Steve

imagine2frolic · #6 (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 02:27 PM

One difference being that Rootes did the whole package. Although they were shown the way by Americans with an American V-8. I truly miss that little red Tiger!

VRM · #7 (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 02:42 PM

Yeah, I'm a big fan of Tigers as well, though I would hate to have to work on one. I think Bomelia was considering buying one at one point. I hope he did.

There was a Jag E-Type coupe on Ebay a little while ago that had an SB Ford in it. It needed paint (which I would do myself), and some exhaust work. I'm kicking myself for not going for it as it only went for 8K. I probably would have put Webers on it (I think they would have cleared the Jag bonnet).

A good friend of mine has a Jag XJS with a 1970s Vette LT1 SB motor that he is still putting together. It would have been fun to go to Jag car shows and piss off all the purists with our V8 Cats.

Steve

Fred Douglass · #8 (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 07:17 PM

IF the letter does get published, you'll see that I allowed the Cobra's two-country aspect plenty of ink. Nonetheless, the Pommies deserve a little chastisement now and then. Hubris and all that-ar-ar-ar.

Jamo · #9 (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 11:58 PM

Smite the basturds!

wtm442 · #10 (**permalink**) 10-11-2007, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VRM

A good friend of mine has a Jag XJS with a 1970s Vette LT1 SB motor that he is still putting together. It would have been fun to go to Jag car shows and piss off all the purists with our V8 Cats.
Steve

A friend of mine restored a mid 60's Rolls Royce and used a 454 BBC motor. He intentionally entered it in "prestigious" car show to piss of the snob crowd. He did get thrown out of a couple of shows, but it was more likely due to the tons of empty beer cans in the back seat!

He also has a '35 Ford street rod that he built in the late 60's with over 400,000 miles!