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Old 11-02-2010, 04:52 PM
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Location: Ottawa, ON
Cobra Make, Engine: 2002 Superformance w/392 stroker
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Anthony View Post
I think the GS vettes intially had small blocks, and then maybe big blocks at a later time. I had thought that it was the fact that GM was installing 396's, BBC's, in vettes for the '65 model year that prompted Shelby to experiment/design the 427 cobra.
You're right that the Grand Sports ran with small blocks, but I think this is beside the point.

As I understand it, the humiliating losses to the GS Corvettes at the Nassau Speed Week in Dec 1963 was one of the main motivators for Shelby American (with Ken Miles) to build the prototype 427 Cobra. That, plus the rumours that Chevy was gonna start building a big-block Vette for series production.
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