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- PureAwesomeness
- SteamTroller77
GTP Cool Wall: AC/Shelby Cobra 427
- Thread starter TheBook
- 94 comments
- 11,963 views
- 23,904
- It/It
- GTP_TheCracker
Just to be pedantic. It wasn't a 427 Cobra that supposedly brought in the UK national speed limit. It was a 289 AC Coupe.
- 86,737
- Rule 12
- GTP_Famine
The AC Coupe. They were allegedly testing the aero on it ahead of the '64 Le Mans race (where it was practically written off).
- 8,642
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- GTP_Stotty
Quote from carshowuk.com...
In 1961 talks where undertaken with Texas racing driver, Carroll Shelby (http://www.carrollshelby.com/) with backing from Ford, proposing installation of Ford V8 engines in to the light weight chassis of the AC Ace which resulted in the AC Cobra. Some say the resulting Cobra is the reason the Uk has a 70mph speed limit as in 1963 a coupe version of the car was recorded at 185mph on the M1. The following year a 70mph limit was introduced on all British Motorways.
Although another site lists the date as 1964 and the speed at 183mph.
Either way, >180mph is quite fast on an open public road!
In 1961 talks where undertaken with Texas racing driver, Carroll Shelby (http://www.carrollshelby.com/) with backing from Ford, proposing installation of Ford V8 engines in to the light weight chassis of the AC Ace which resulted in the AC Cobra. Some say the resulting Cobra is the reason the Uk has a 70mph speed limit as in 1963 a coupe version of the car was recorded at 185mph on the M1. The following year a 70mph limit was introduced on all British Motorways.
Although another site lists the date as 1964 and the speed at 183mph.
Either way, >180mph is quite fast on an open public road!
- 15,487
- UK
My Dad used to work for Ken Rudd (raced at Le Mans a few times iirc) and he used to have a Shelby Cobra, which Dad did the carb tuning for iirc. Any way one day Dad was taken on a drive from the workshop to Rudd's home, a 20 mile journey that took 12 minutes (timed by Dad), this was back in the mid 60s. There's one infamous s-bend on an a-road round here, they went through it at about 90, go through it now and at 50 it makes you fill your knickers.
Stunning cars.
Stunning cars.
- 23,904
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- GTP_TheCracker
As a Ford dealer, my Grandad used to rally and hillclimb (and run as company cars) Ken Rudd tuned (Ruddspeed) Ford Zephyrs in the 50's and early 60's. 👍
- 9,473
- QLD, Down Under
- GTP_Paulie
- Paulie LDP
I don't know what you guys are on about, this car scared everyone so much with how awesomely fast it was they needed to create speed limits, it almost sounds like a Chuck Norris fact and only enhances the car's reputation.
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Strittan
Premium
- 4,058
- Sweden
- Strittan
Damn.
- 5,398
- Buenos Aires
- 5,767
- Anoka, MN
- 3,542
- Marin County, C
Coolest car ever... Besides my Focus...
- 3,174
- Pinckney, MI
- NISMO_S13
- If I had the money
Cool. I like the first batch of Cobras that didn't have such big arches, the Mark 1s. Plus I've seen so many replicas, I'm kind of tired of the car. I never really did care for it, but it is a classic so therefore it's cool. Although when they raced the Cobras as coupes, now that's what I'm talking about 
.
I agree with this 100%
.A true icon... absolutely sub zero.
Though I actually think the 289 is a purer, nicer shape....
I agree with this 100%
- 676
- GTP_TrievelA7X
I actually got to "drag race" one of these at the track, and they really do have the awful traction depicted in GT4, the guy was burning the tires off through 3rd gear, still pulled a 12.6 that day. I watched from behind as I rolled in at my 15.8'sAC/Shelby Cobra 427
Production: 1965-1967
Engine: 7.0 V8
Transmission: 4 speed
0-60: Way too fast (~4.5 seconds)
Standing 1/4 Mile: You wouldn't believe me if I told you (~12.4 seconds)
Cano
Premium
- 20,758
- Cephiro
UK speed limit = OMG this thing is more awesome than I ever thought.
And I dont care about the replicas, as they are still freaking, FREAKING wicked. The mag editor I work for has a pretty well made one and I was treated to a "nice ride" the day he finished it... I still hear more with one ear than with the other... and it was exhilarating to say the least... and this with a very mild small block. I cannot even imagine what it feels like with a 427 underhood.
And I beg to differ from a lot of people in here, I like sooooo much more the muscular, pumped-up look of the 427 cars... they are so savage. Sub Zero, useless poll indeed.
And I dont care about the replicas, as they are still freaking, FREAKING wicked. The mag editor I work for has a pretty well made one and I was treated to a "nice ride" the day he finished it... I still hear more with one ear than with the other... and it was exhilarating to say the least... and this with a very mild small block. I cannot even imagine what it feels like with a 427 underhood.
And I beg to differ from a lot of people in here, I like sooooo much more the muscular, pumped-up look of the 427 cars... they are so savage. Sub Zero, useless poll indeed.
- 5,481
- Seattle, WA
- RykonZero
I saw a replica of one of these the other day, and while the sound doesn't quite compare to shoving your ears in a coffee grinder while listening to speed metal at 120 decibels, the feeling I assume would be quite similar.
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- Small_Fryz
Most convincing poll evah?
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- Sydney
- mad94d
Sub-Zero definetely.
My dad has a replica (WIP), amazing looking cars.
And the sound...
By the way, the reason for the amount of replica's around is because most of the originals would go for over 1 million $AUD. There is probably only around 200 left as not many were built. And even the ones that were built most were actually race cars or test cars in the 427 model.
My dad has a replica (WIP), amazing looking cars.
And the sound...By the way, the reason for the amount of replica's around is because most of the originals would go for over 1 million $AUD. There is probably only around 200 left as not many were built. And even the ones that were built most were actually race cars or test cars in the 427 model.
