Original Daytona Coupe vs original GT40

[turnpike boy]

Originally Posted by Bill Kesner

In my opinion,

If the 427 Coupe was set up by Shelby, and ran against Shelby's re-worked
GT40's at Le Mans in the same class if that was possible, I highly doubt the coupe would have out performed the GT40's. Just like CSX2300 said, hard to beat a mid engined car that would have out handled the coupe all over the track.

If the 427 Coupe had run in a different class at Le Mans not competing against the GT40, it may have had a shot at winning its class, if it wasn't driven too hard to keep the 427 alive and kicking.

- Bill -

I don't disagree with that evaluation, not entirely anyway. I've watched 427 roadsters run against 289 GT's and the GT's do drive away convincingly - but only where there are corners. The roadsters give away nothing on the straights, and clearly accelerated out of the corners with a bunch more vigor than the GT. Now, make that a Super Coupe and I'm not so sure that the mismatch would be so convincing. As to keeping the boat anchor alive, well, durability wan't THAT bad.

However. I do still think that the GT would prove the better car in the long run - as CSX 2300 alludes to, many attributes all go to making it an easier car to drive fast for a long time. And that's what would have it prevail.

[Naumoff]

H&M made 427 survive many 500mile nearly WOT races. And wasn't it the 7 liter MkII GT40 that won at Le Mans first.

Small Blocks blow up too.

[turnpike boy]

Originally Posted by Naumoff

Small Blocks blow up too.

They sure do......just not as easily