Shelby Cobra - Pro-Touring style

[JRDean]

I had owned a Cobra replica that was very true to the original. It even had a period correct 427 side oiler, and the 4 speed top-loader tranny. Even though these cars are still among the fastest production cars ever sold, the 60s suspension and brakes were not up to what is available today. This time I wanted a car that would be true to the theme of the original, but with improvements in braking and handling, plus the ability to cruise all day comfortably, but still perform at the track.....Pro-Touring stuff. Another goal was a meaner, cooler look (if at all possible). A lower and wider stance would acheive this.

So this car has actually been on the road for while now. I started it in 2009, but I just finished building the interior for the trunk.

Some of the specs are:

1. Engine - Ford SBF 418 stroker, Dart aluminum heads, roller rockers, roller cam, forged crank and pistons, Air Gap intake, 750 double pumper, custom headers, 517 hp.
2. TKO 600 tranny, 5 speed with .64 overdrive, Quicktime bellhousing, lightweight flywheel, Tilton hydro throw out bearing.
3. IRS - based on Thunderbird uprights, 8.8 pumpkin with 3.27 gears, Torsen Tru-Trac differential.
4. QA1 double adjustable coilovers all corners.
5. Brakes - 14' six piston Wilwoods on front, 12" Mustang Cobra rotors on rear with t-bird calipers. Wilwood pedals and brake/clutch cylinders.
6. Wheels - BRM GT 40 style pin drives from Vintage Wheels, 17x9.5 front, 17x11.5 rear (custom width added by Weldcraft)
7. Tires - 255/40 front, 315/35 rear Sumitomo HTR Z
8. Mezeire electric water pump, aluminum 4 core radiator with custom shroud.
9. HDI headlights
10. Sube Cobra SS seats.
11. Revolution gauges from Speedhut. Wideband AFR gauge.

Here is the finished car:





To get the wider, longer look for the Cobra body, it was spliced lengthwise and sectioned across the doors. This is better for track behavior and adds more cockpit room.



So my body is derived from this version of the fiberglass mold, but updated with wider rear fender flares. It was then smoothed, blocked and primered.



I picked popping version of Porshe Guards Red with black stripes, with meatballs painted on for numbers.




Next thread is the chassis section.