[computerworks]

Editorial - January 2008 Snakebite Bulletin

From the Desk of Rick Kopec

The TWO Carroll Shelbys

Carroll Shelby is a bona fide hero. His racing exploits in the 1950s are well documented. The Cobra is certainly no secret and has been elevated to historical icon status, although not many realize the real reason for this is only partially due to a combination of the car’s explosive performance, clever marketing and its racing record. A good deal of the credit has nothing to do with Shelby (although he is quite happy to take all of the credit and moreover, seems to think he deserves it). The Cobra has become an icon because it was, simply, in the right place at the right time.

The Cobra (and we use the name generically because there were actually two Cobras: the small block and the big block) came along at a time in American automotive history when performance was becoming an unquestioned virtue. When it was first introduced, the small block Cobra quickly climbed to the top of the high performance pyramid. In 1963-1964 there was little that could touch it. By 1965-1966, the 427 Cobra moved the bar even higher. Cobra production ceased at the end of 1967 and even though its closest rival—the big block Corvette—continued to flex its biceps past the end of the decade, by then the 427 Cobra had become the high water mark in sports cars as well as performance cars. Nothing else even came close.

Then the tide went out. The 1970s was an embarrassing time for performance cars. Stifling government regulations brought emission standards that Detroit was not prepared to tackle. The quick fix was to bolt on catalytic converters and choke engines into submission. Overnight, the Corvette found itself with an anemic 200 hp engine while other so-called “performance” models were decorated with an array of fake scoops, swoopy wings, flashy graphics and not much more. Gone were the Tri-Power GTOs, 427 Galaxies, Chrysler Hemis, Boss 429 Mustangs and 454 Camaros and Chevelles. The industry’s performance cars were neutered and it took nearly 20 years for them to stagger back. This left the Cobra as the uncontested king of performance. As good as it was (and make no mistake—it was plenty good) it continued to retain the title because there were, simply, no other contenders. And Carroll Shelby had little to do with that. In fact, when he detected things going south he grabbed his hat and bailed out. He preferred to spend time in Africa hunting big game, or playing around with chili cook-offs—which were little more than excuses for good ole boys to get together to drink and tell stories. What brought him back to automobiles was the scent of the long green.

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