Carroll Shelby Tribute thread. Be a part of it.

[Jim Barnett]

Being a die hard MOPAR fanatic since 1963, I never really had much interest in "other" brands of muscle cars. Hemi's, Max Wedges, Six Pacs always "did it for me" and I've owned 'em all. 'Cuda's, RR's, GTX's, Challenger's, Charger's, Fury's, SuperBee's can spoil one's perception of what a performance car should be. Of course I was always aware of the legendary Cobra and the MAN behind it, BUT they were (and are) so RARE where I grew up that most never even SAW one. It wasn't intil I moved to San Diego when I joined the Navy in 1968 that I SAW my first REAL Cobra and that wasn't until 1970. It was sitting up on blocks in Coronado and was for sale for $7500!!! Yep, 427SC - all original, $7500 and at the time I HAD THE MONEY but opted to buy my buddy's '70 Cuda 440 4 spd. (told ya I was a MOPAR nut). How I LAMENT that decision NOW!!! My interest in the Cobra actually started several years ago when I watched an episode of American Muscle Car on the Speed Channel. There were all those Replica Cobra owners talking about how much fun it was to own one. Well, I thought I'd check it out for myself and made a trip out to California Cobra and that did it for me. ONE RIDE was all it took and I immediately set out on a quest to find my own Cobra that was in my price range. Fortunately I did find one at a Collector Car dealership in San Diego. It was a Classic Roadster with a SB 302, but geez, it was so beautiful AND quick enough for me. I had the car about four weeks and then HAD to take it back because it was titled as a 1965 Ford in California and that was illegal and the dealership had to refund me my money and get the car out of the state (Republic of Kalifornia). Well, back off I went to see Armond at CC and fortune smiled on me once again as he had gotten in a LA Exotics SB100 Registered Cobra for sale on consignment and he helped me BUY IT. My LAE has a 351C and is WAY FASTER than the CR that I owned and I LOVE IT. Someday IF and WHEN I see the right 6 numbers show up, I'll DEFINATELY buy me a CSX Cobra (real or continuation) to ultimately satisfy my LUST for the car!!! It is, without doubt IMO, the most awesome, "in your face, don't ..ck with me" car that I have ever owned or driven (and I have a '69 426 4 spd. Hemi SuperBee sitting beside my LAE in the garage and it is NO SLOUCH either) I'll end this long saga and post simply by saying IF I knew then what I do now, I'd have bought that original Cobra back in 1970 and still have it to this day!! Mr. Shelby.... you certainly created one GREAT automobile and one GREAT LEGEND!! THANK YOU!!!