[John McMahon]

I have to agree with "Stretch Evans" on this one.

With all due respect to Dick Smith, I find it hard to believe a Cobra would hit those speeds.

What was the prime motivating factor behind the design of the Daytona? The fact that the Cobra was buffeted by winds at high speed and could not produce or compete with the early aero cars of the day. The nose of the Daytona helped it 'slice' through the air.

Anyone that has driven a Cobra in excess of 150MPH always comments how 'light and twitchy' the front end is at that speed.
Most of it has to do with the design of the grill opening, air gets trapped and lifts the car.

So at 198...I suspect Dick Smith would have been more like "The Flying Nun' than the fastest Cobra ever. No disrespect intended.

Same can be said of the Cheetah that drove so fast blew its own doors off at Daytona.

Q: If the Cobra were capable of these speeds, then why was the 390/427 'Turd' developed with all its aerodynamic improvements?