[a427sc]

I usually don't like to chime in much on these "debates". But one small fact seems have been overlooked. During the Cobra era at Shelby American, the primary focus, Job #1 so to speak, was to fund and develop race cars. Everything else , street cars, accessories, whatever, was done for the sole purpose of supporting the race effort. In 63, Shelby realized that the small block Cobra had reached the end of effective development with the technology and pieces available (like the small 289 motor, the leaf spring chassis, and the non-aero body). So they exploited the FIA's modified body rules to build the Daytona Coupe, but the writting was on the wall for the chassis and 289 power plant. They needed more horsepower to compete on the long tracks in Europe with the much more modern Ferrari's and their V-12's. What to do? Use the well developed NASCAR 427, and build a better chassis. Ok, the NASCAR motor ended up needing redevelopment for road racing, but the basics were there and it did make more HP. It was all Ford had at the time. Deep down, Shelby knew the 427 cobra roadster was just a front to get to the 427 Daytona he knew he needed. Politics with the GT program effectively shut him down, but the idea was sound.

The point...the 427 roadster was never meant to be the ultimate race Cobra, just a stepping stone to the ultimate FIA Production race car.

McFEZ

BTW Cranky and Scott and Big Bob...Isn't it about time you stop bragging how wonderful your choice of motors is. Someone might think you all were major full of your self.