[What'saCobra?]

Some say wordy, some say high-contented, but nobody says gentle.

Well said, lads. Even better, it's true.

Of course, given that Trev is not driving a real Lotus Seven, but a knock-off (and better for it), the implication that throttle steer isn't easily available on a 427 isn't precise. There's plenty of throttle steer available, but lurid tail slides are not the quickest way through the corner for a 427 (or anything else, for that matter).

And TL's 427 drives that tramlined and shuddered accross paint and bumpy corners perhaps had lousey tire choices, excessive anti-roll bars, never been bump-steered, Koni's too tight, axles not balanced for torque, not enough camber, and, please forgive me, drivers without enough seat time. The 427 need not be quite THAT slower, but 1 or 2 tenths second per turn would be more like it.

Having watched Miles (and Sam Finestein) drive the big blocks both early and late in their race history and having a little seat time myself, they are not necessarily a disaster, but not easy to set-up correctly either on the street or track to compensate for that low grade magnet in the nose.

The only modest criticism i would ever make of BA's Cobra production was that they were never delivered for best tune in handling, despite all the other merits of their wonderful craftsmanship. But, after all, that's really also a personal preference, isn't it? And the best race set-up isn't always the best street tune, isit?

Given the host of postings on this and many other sites by owners trying to find a tire that works on a 15" dia. rim, the gentle reader should begin to question the wisdom of so much torque and the difficulties of controling it. The thoughts of smaller wheel wells brings anxieties to the 427 owner, who already suffers from both end adhesion problems. 10" wide rubber is seriously inadequate already-yet and given the over-weightedness of most rigs, handling balance is far from the owner's frontal cortex.

Even the wonderful Kirkhams best respond to an alloy FE, to begin to moderate the evils of iron angst. The knowledgable order the alloy 3rd member, anxiously wait the alloy cased Kee toploaders or delivery of the alloy cased Tremmec 600's and wander about without adequate bumper protection because they like the style (and it drops another 20# of fat.) 12/14" wide fronts and 16/18" wide rears would be just about right to handle an iron 427's unique combination of weight and torque, i might suppose. But, what about an aly small block in the 289 Sports?

Oh yea, and brakes? The original Girling CR's were trash in the day, but the only choice. You could get in about one or two good laps before they faded to oblivion, just after the Goodyear Blue Streak tires were getting nice and warm and grippy.

So, today, the well-bred choose Wilwood, Alcon or AP or F1 (etc.) brake systems to try and tame the 427 beast's ponderous iron lard.

Given the availability of "427" body shapes nearly alone for the last almost 40 years, it is even surprizing that as much as 10% are ordering the "FIA." i know the "real" AC Cars, USA FIA of two springs ago went wanting for many many months wishing a buyer, despite its rather fabulous looks, finish and "lineage." They were looking for $100K in the end, but i don't know what was finally paid. (any thoughts, MKIV?)

3 years of small block availability in the USA isn't much compared to 40 years of salivation and magazine drivel, is it?

But, a small block, leaf sprung aly car will never sell very high, because of both the short image and the handling limits of the cross-leaf springs (But, Corvetts has it under control at the rear of the Vette, don't they?). When you get them working correctly at the track, it is not at all a comfortable car on the street, hence the "buggy-spring" euphorisms of ole' Shel'.

But, a proper "lightweight" coil spring car, with a fresh look, yet very close to a 427 shape and top specs (who says a small block should be small inside, have you ever driven an American sb at 7500rpm or so?) and penultimate low weight (under 2000) might create a market, rather than follow it.

It is not clear to me why we would have to suffer with a BMW for a good street ride.