[Excaliber]

I don't agree with the Mulv, the combination of low rear gear ratios and typical tires severely lacking in traction (Goodrich TA's come to mind) makes it pretty easy for even a good driver to 'spin out' when conditions are right.

Going through an intersection and shifting casually into 2nd gear, then applying throttle, NOT a lot of throttle, just enough, can easily break the rear tires loose resulting in a spin out. This doesn't even take much horsepower, a bone stock 302 will do the job nicely. At times it's difficult to judge just how much traction the pavement offers at any given time. Near the beach? Sand blows onto the highway, hard to see that, but you FEEL it when the tires break loose.

What you really need is two things:
Higher rear gear/trans ratio in 1st and 2nd gear and good tires, like the Goodyear Bill Boards or equivelant. A well built/designed and spec'd replica is WAY easier to handle the power than the typical replica we so see so commonly today. I would dare to say the original Cobras sporting 400 to 500 horse were SAFER than many of todays replicas. Why? Read on...

The typical replica might be: 302 (even stock, 225 horse power), T5 trans with a 3 to 1 1st gear ratio backed up with a 3.5 rear gear ratio and Goodrich TA tires. Now THERES a recipe for disaster just waiting to happen. Add some more power to the motor and the recipe becomes ever more dangerous.