Cobras in the snow

Jack21 · #1 (**permalink**) 01-21-2003, 06:05 PM

This morning, the weather prediction was maybe snow flurries. Decided to drive Cobra to the office. It started "flurrying" as I parked at 8A.

By noon, there was an appreciable build up of snow. Time to test the 4 season car concept. Diff is 8.8 Ford posi. Tires are deep cleated 235 front/275 rear 17" radials. How do they grip in snow?
Surprisingly...quite well!!!

So this preception of Cobras can't drive on wet roads, much less snow is BULLSH!T. It all depends on the tires you put on your car.

Falken 451's are not rated as a mud & snow tire, but the deep cleats faired out well in snow. Falken Ziex tires are rated as mud & snow tires.

Anyway, I'm pleased to say that snow, and winter driving didn't slow the Coobra down.

BamaBrett · #2 (**permalink**) 01-22-2003, 03:41 PM

I admire your tenacity, Jack. Why let a little snow cramp your style ?

Y'all take it easy now, Brett

Carroll DeWeese · #3 (**permalink**) 01-22-2003, 03:56 PM

You have shown that the Cobra is an all weather car, provided the driver can withstand the weather.

I am less concerned with snow around here than all the salt put on the roads before, during, and after the snow to keep the roads clear. I hate to think of the salt trying to eat away at the Cobra.

JWheaton · #4 (**permalink**) 01-24-2003, 11:59 AM

Jack,

Where you driving in front of or behind the plow?

Tongue Pirate · #5 (**permalink**) 01-24-2003, 03:06 PM

Man, you are crazy! I'm not afraid of my ability to drive in adverse weather conditions it's the other guy/gal who scares me.

Cal Metal · #6 (**permalink**) 01-24-2003, 07:25 PM

C'mon guys. Quit protecting those cars, treating them like fine china. Get out on the ice and do what we do up here. Who needs sunny California. We can race here all year around, too. If the ice gets too hard, we just throw on the chains. Now you know why the movie, "Fargo" was so popular. We Nordskis are clearly out of our minds.

Cobranut · #7 (**permalink**) 01-24-2003, 07:40 PM

Man, that's hard core.

arctic-snake · #8 (**permalink**) 01-24-2003, 07:44 PM

You got some big balls buddy. I had to get a push just to get mine from the trailer to the garage, on level ground. Do yourself and everyone else a favor and keep your Cobra in the garage during inclement weather. The last thing we need is another obituary.
If you like driving in the snow, get a four wheel drive and a plow. Iif it's adrenaline you need, get a snowmachine. The power to weight ratio is slightly better and you can go anywhere-roads or not.

Excaliber · #9 (**permalink**) 01-25-2003, 08:27 AM

I like driving in the snow. I spent a number of years in Michigan and in Oregon "drifting" through the winter months. A Cobra in the snow? Yeah, I can see that, ha ha, you wild and crazy guy.

Cal,,,I always wanted to do some of that ice racing, man that looks like fun! I'm thinking about getting back into "dirt track" racing, next best thing.

Snow and cold weather? Well THATS why I live in Hawaii now!

Ernie

Kim Pallister · #10 (**permalink**) 01-25-2003, 12:17 PM

I drove my cobra in a little snow once (same reason, went to work thinking it wouldn't). Wasn't too hairy. Just be ginger with that trigger they call a gas pedal.

BTW, I grew up back in Montreal and so spent a considerable amount of time driving in the snow. I'll take a compact car with front wheel drive anytime over some massive 4x4. Can't tell you how many times I'd see them slide down the icy overpass into the wall in the side and I'd just zip around them. If the snow is anything under 4", then it's more about traction when turning and total weight than it is about pulling traction. FWD gives you a lot more control, especially when 'accesorized' with the handbrake.

G.R. · #11 (**permalink**) 01-25-2003, 03:38 PM

Just gotta luv those fools with their 4wd, V-8 SUV's--while living in Colorado can't remember the times when I saw some idiot on the side or upside down along I-25 between Monument and CoSprgs, Jeeps,Broncos, Blazers, Suburbans,P.U.'s, while going to work during or just after a heavy snow--4wd can certainly get you up to the posted speed limit on an snow/ice covered highway--God help you if you have to slow down

Snow/icy road I'll take a FWD drive most anytime

arctic-snake · #12 (**permalink**) 01-25-2003, 07:32 PM

Anyone that would prefer a two wheel (front wheel) drive on the ice and snow is a true cheechako. I have spent forty two years in this enviroment and can say for certain that a front wheel drive car is better than a rear wheel drive. But the front wheel drive only helps to maneuver in a turn when on ice. There is no substitute for the real deal. Anyone that would rather be in a two wheel drive (front or rear wheel) has no real experience. I have seen more compacts and sub-compacts in accidents than any other car(and they faired much worse). Chances are the four wheel drives you saw in the ditch were avoiding a front wheel drive while he/she spun their wheels through a light and were sitting in the middle of an intersection . Stick to what you know fellas.
And park that Cobra till spring. The life you save will probably be your own.

CRZN427 · #13 (**permalink**) 01-25-2003, 10:09 PM

I live in California now, I grew up and learned to drive in Idaho and Wyoming where there is an abundance of snow. I also worked six winters in Alaska, three years in North Dakota, four in Michigan and a cople odd years in other snow states.

I have never owned a 4 x 4 but, I have pulled several out of the ditch with my 3/4 ton (rwd) Ford.

Fwd is perceved to be better in snow, I can't attest to that because I never had one in the snow. Personally I prefer to have the driving wheels and the steering wheels doing independent jobs.

If you prepare the car for winter, and drive to suite conditions there should be no problems.

Cobra related stuff.

I did get caught in a couple snow storms while on trips with my LAE. No snow tires, just extra caution, and I made it through. I really had no choice but to go on. I had a top and heater so I was quite comfortable.

On one trip I hit an unusually heavy snow storm, over a mountain pass on I-15 in southern Utah. I passed 27 vehicles that were in the ditch, on both sides of the freeway, most of them 4 x 4's.

arctic-snake · #14 (**permalink**) 01-26-2003, 07:53 PM

I can't argue with anyone that has never owned a four wheel drive, or driven a front wheel drive in the snow. Our perspectives are entirely different. I have driven all of them, successfully and without accindent. If you want to drive your Cobra in the snow, well that's your choice.
My friends and I used to race around a lake in high school in the winter. I had a Mach 1 that was a blast to drive on the cleared oval on the lake. Power sliding almost completely around was an acquired skill. Drove that Mach for four years. I'm quite sure i even passed a few 4x4's in the ditch.
I'm all grown up now and enjoy the stable ride and peace of mind of a four wheel drive. Never been in the ditch, but have pulled countless two wheel drive cars and trucks out. Tried to pull a four wheel drive out once with a two wheel drive truck but came to the realization that - any ditch I could pull him out of, he could haven driven out of on his own. Plus I have the benefit of plowing the snow from my drive so that two wheel drives have access.
In my opinion, desperation, ignorance and immaturity are the only reasons anyone would drive a Cobra in the snow. There are just too many others ways to enjoy the winter and your high performance race bread car.

Excaliber · #15 (**permalink**) 01-26-2003, 08:25 PM

arctic-snake,
I was in Ohio this Xmas. Rented a Mustang, then it snowed. That car was a blast,,,,,yeah OK, OK,,,,I was "immature" and all that, what ever! Sure was fun, drifting that baby, of COURSE when no one else was with me or on the road! Yeah,,,,Hammer down baby, break it loose!

Anyway, when it came time to drive to London to visit DV (that was the coolest part of my Xmas vacation) I took it back and got a Taurus. You know, family safety and all the "maturity" stuff set in. Sheessshhhh, that Taurus was no fun.

Ernie

arctic-snake · #16 (**permalink**) 01-27-2003, 03:58 AM

Hi Excaliber,
Don't mind my posts. I'm just mad that I have to wait another four months before I can drive my Cobra

Up here, even the Corvette owners park their cars for the winter! Just isn't safe with all of us driving 4000 lb sport-utes and pick-up trucks

Wade Chamberlain · #17 (**permalink**) 01-27-2003, 05:56 AM

Hey Jack21, we missed you on the CACC new years day run! The weatherman predicted "flurries". By the time I got home from D.C., this is what we had.....

Excaliber · #18 (**permalink**) 01-27-2003, 08:54 AM

Arctic-snake,,,,,,,I get it! Of course your suffering the classic Cobra withdrawall symptoms, lol. Winter is the BEST time to drive here in Hawaii. TOO dam hot in the summer.

Ernie

G.R. · #19 (**permalink**) 01-27-2003, 07:27 PM

Artic-snake,

Believe me I am not talking about 4wd drivers that know what they and their vehicle are capable of doing I'm talking "the fools" who buy the SUV's and don't have a clue.
Yeah I would occassionaly see a 2wd or Fwd in the ditch but far more fools.
I grew up in Colorado, lived for a number of years in the Vail valley, I own, and have owned 4wd's, Jeeps, PU's, Blazer, Bronco, and AWD Suburu ,I've driven in all different kinds of lousy snowy weather and on icy snow packed roads and Hwy's in both Fwd and 4wd.
Sorry if I offended you by my "fool" statement

petek · #20 (**permalink**) 01-27-2003, 07:51 PM

Wade,

GREAT picture! (I'd love a high resolution copy ... can you email one to me?)