Street Cobra vs. Cobra S/C

[MGlad]

I was checking out the Cobra production figures in the Originality Forum and got a couple questions. Does anyone know the differences in the Street Cobra and the Cobra S/C? The other question is what does S/C stand for? I mostly see it referred to as Street/Competition and occasionally as Semi-Competition.

[computerworks]

Either "S/C" is accepted.

Quite a bit to say about Street vs. S/C.

Easier to say that the S/C was a slightly modified version of the original 427 Competition car.

From the raw Comp, they changed suspension bushings, gave it a rear flare and, for the most part, set the car up with 2x4 instead of the 1x4 Turkey pan.

[MGlad]

Thanks Ron (it is Ron, right?) I kinda figured a detail of the differences would be quite involved.

[computerworks]

Originally Posted by MGlad

Thanks Ron (it is Ron, right?) .

Correct....

I am sure the gang will build a list for you here with the differences.

...but it is quite a bit to describe.

Just about every area of the car has a distinction between Comp and Street.

[Silverback51]

Visual items.

Street.

No hood scoop.
No roll bar.
Under car exhaust.

[mdross1]

One of the very differences I was concerned with when starting my kit Street or S/C.Deciding on the powerplant was the first big hurdle,then the rear differential IRS as apposed to solid,the 460 dictated that.Oh the beauty of a kit and the freedom of expression it affords us all.I guess you could call my creation a Street S/C Hybrid.Have to say with all the books and papers I read before during and after the build, then all the enthusiasts,builders, racers,finally vendors,knew the end product was going to be what it turned out to be.A beautiful example of pure muscle!

[avanti-176]

Originally Posted by Silverback51

Visual items.

Street.

No hood scoop.
No roll bar.
Under car exhaust.

+
different gas cap
different dashboard
air splitter
different rear flares or "narrow hip" (no flares)

[computerworks]

+
windshield washers
ash tray
door pockets
rear bulkhead 'pouch'
different trunk layout
battery under the hood
-
-
-

[ZOERA-SC7XX]

And of course the wheels...

[Tom Kirkham]

Other items:

42 gal tank vs 18 (if your lucky) fuel tank
4 inch fuel filler vs 2 inch fuel filler
reserve electric fuel pumps
Jack hooks vs bumpers
Frenched in fuel cap
fuel pressure vs fuel level
no glove box vs glove box
vinyl seats vs leather seats
Comp aluminum 2 piston brakes vs steel 3 piston street brakes
remote brake and clutch reservoir cans vs integral reservoir master cylinders
master cylinder heat shield vs none
SC used Aeroquip fuel hoses
reinforced front lower control arms
brake rotors are different
e-brake calipers are different
rear upper control arm outboard rod end is 3/4 vs 5/8
Koni vs Armstrong shocks
spring rates
rear upright is different due to brakes
front steering arm is different due to brakes
brake duct vs foot box ducting

[mickmate]

Street used one metal fuel line.
SC's had bumpers or quick jacks.
Ceandess smooth rectangular button filler cap that is further back and just pokes through street fender.
SC used 3-1/2" Enots flip roller latch cap hex head bolted to filler recess with drain hole.
Integral master reservoir on clutch only for street.
Remote oil filter on SC, motor mounted shorty on street.
Street used drawn sump pan, comps were fabricated with baffles and trap doors.
Riveted leading edge of comp hood skin to frame.
Single pusher fan on street, dual pushers on SC's.
Street has cast exhaust manifolds or headers.
Cigar lighter on street dash.
Outside rear view mirrors are Talbot street, Raydyot SC/Comps.
Reserve fuel pickup teed into fuel line on SC's.
Quick change brake pads on full comp.
Race or no screen on full comp.

[PSB]

Most street cars had 428 engines, where the S/Cs had 427 SOs.

Pete

[MGlad]

Wow, thank you very much for all the input. I guess it's quite obvious that I'm a newbie in the Cobra scene. I'm a Mustang guy that was always one of those Cobra admirers from afar. I'm 6' and a little endowed in the abdominal region so I never thought I would fit well in a Cobra. At this year's Buffalo Motorama, I was helping with the floor setup and Rick Muck (Time Machines) brought in a roller Cobra and GT40. Our buddy Mike told me how to get in and out of the Cobra to avoid snake bites. Needless to say, it was all over then... I wanted one. Within a month, Mike and I were on our way down to Ft. Meyers to pick up the Cobra that is now resting comfortably in my garage. You see, NY in their infinite wisdom makes titling and registering a Cobra a long painful process. I am making progress though and it looks like, God willing, I'll be tearing up the roads here by the end of July. I just posted some pictures in the member's gallery last night from the ad that I found the Cobra. And again, thanks guys!

[tirod]

Street sold more quickly. IIRC the history, the last S/C sold in 1968. They were a bear to unload off the lot, mature drivers weren't planning on campaigning all over town. Refined manners were the order of the day - hence, ash trays, quiet undercar exhaust that wouldn't burn your girl friends shins, etc. Drivers wanted sophistication, not brute roughness.

Frankly, legends are built on fantasy, the Win on Sunday, Sell on Monday sales pitch in the day didn't mean everyone flocked to the dealer and snapped up S/C's. They wanted the look, not necessarily the expense. The average buyer was meh! about whether it was 427 or 428, it was still a big honking motor in a tiny little sports car.

The competition was also part of the buying atmosphere, you could get the slick new Corvette, import sports cars were abundant, and the muscle car had arrived. Many of them had one very important distinction - a roof. It takes more than a little dedication to drive a roadster all winter thru 30 degree temps and 6 inch snows. It really limits sales if you can't keep dry and warm in February, and that's what people wanted. It was going to be a Daily Driver, not a garage queen, most people didn't have that kind of money, and owning one car at a time was the norm.

People like having sporty cars, but being inconvenienced and freezing for months isn't on their agenda. So the street cars sold much more quickly. The big plan to sell lots of 427's didn't turn out to have much substance. It's been said before there was regret they stopped building the 289, but the times they were achangin'.

Let's not forget, the corporate view was to get them in the showroom. Mom wanted a Galaxie wagon to haul the kids, and that's what they got. Dad could at least dream it was the same motor.

Most of the public even in those days would be hard pressed to name the car on sight. It looked like a lot of other Brit sports cars in a sea of Detroit iron and VW Beetles. If you owned one, you were saying I'm Different in a country that prided itself on being American. It took a more cosmopolitan view to embrace that. Carroll Shelby was that guy who won races in Europe at that Lee Mons place. He weren't no Richard Petty.

Perspective. Things weren't like what some think they were.

[Cobra #3170]

Heater/ defroster, front wheel bearings and spindle, medium riser vs. low riser or 428.

[elmariachi]

Great thread, should be a FAQ.

[computerworks]

Isn't this fun?

[elmariachi]

Originally Posted by computerworks

Isn't this fun?

As opposed to.......arguing?

What about paint color....were there colors that only appeared on the street cars and not on S/C or comp cars, or vice versa? Excluding the S/C oddballs like orange and gold of course.

[computerworks]

Don't know if that's a valid distinction.

Street cars came painted with standard AC color chart choices.

Comp and S/C were made whatever you wanted at the time of order, with inventory stocked in bare metal.

[elmariachi]

Originally Posted by computerworks

Don't know if that's a valid distinction.

Street cars came painted with standard AC color chart choices.

Comp and S/C were made whatever you wanted at the time of order, with inventory stocked in bare metal.

But therein lies another difference, yes? Street cars came paint color-selected, S/C didn't?