1966 Cobra 427 SC

Turn the clock ahead to 1965. The Shelby-American team set about building the fastest and best-handling race car they could imagine. The only restrictions on their creativity were cost (less than $10,000) and apparance (the Cobra "look" could not be altered).

With big 15x7.5-inch front and 19x7.9-inch rear Halibrand GT-40-type magesium wheels stuffed under the stretched aluminum fenders, the new Cobra looked just like what it was: the baddest animal in the automotive jungle.

Hit the throttle too hard at 60 mph in fourth gear, and you'll go sideways as the tires smoke and fight for traction. With a mere 90.0-inch wheelbase and a power-to-weight ratio of about 5 pounds/horsepower, it was for all intents and purposes a full-out race car just happened to have turn signals and a licence plate.

Specifications

Base price:
Engine:
Horsepower:
Induction:
Transmission:
Curb weigh:
0-60 mph:
Quarter mile:

$---- (1966)
427 ci V-8
3500 @ 7200 rpm
?
4-speed man.
? lb
5.3 sec.
13.8 sec/106 mph