CSX4000 roller for $39.9K? - Page 5

Excaliber · #81 (**permalink**) 08-19-2003, 10:06 PM

I suspect the drivers that didn't like the 427 cars was NOT about the suspension. It was about the horse power!!! Rumor has it a number of drivers died in the 427 car.

Scares me just thinking about pushing it to the limit, then, now, old suspsension or new! I've heard there were very FEW drivers who WERE able to take the car to it's limits.

Ernie

BANDIT 1 · #82 (**permalink**) 08-19-2003, 10:19 PM

Mr. KobraKarl:

I drove my 520c.i (385 series) 650 horsepower Superformance Cobra in all kinds of conditions. The car was so easy to drive that I could "gun it" in the middle of a turn and the car would power through the turn and take off in a straight line. I "smoked" my friends GSXR-1000 and my old GSX-1300R Hayabusa on the hiway and didn't even have to put my Dr. Pepper down. A Aluminum 460 "stroker" engine is hardly just a "drag motor".

KobraKarl · #83 (**permalink**) 08-19-2003, 10:30 PM

mr. Bandit sir ,

, I didnt imply your 385 engine was inferior ,I was pointing out that the 427 engine, per se, didnt doom the cobra , it was more a matter of too, too much of a good thing .and I am pretty sure your engine would also fit that description.

KK

Excaliber · #84 (**permalink**) 08-19-2003, 10:33 PM

,,,whoa,,,,I can barely "gun" my whimpy 5.0 WITH Autocross STICKY tires in the middle of a turn without fear of the back end breaking loose! In fact I JUST did that a couple of days ago and was instantly sorry!

I turned the corner in 2nd gear, half way through I "punched" it. There was a little sand on the road I HADN'T noticed and things got real scary real quick! This was right at Sunset Beach, North Shore. Point is it could have been ANYWHERE, a little water you didn't notice? A "funny" pavement patch? Someones oil? You gotta drive these things "heads up" ALL the time.

Ernie

CSX 4039 · #85 (**permalink**) 08-19-2003, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BANDIT 1

What some people here don't understand is some Cobra owners (or projected buyers...) DON"T CARE about originality. As long as the car looks 99% like the original, they could care less....

Then, why is it that the first question out of anybody's mouth when they see a 427 is, "Is it real"?

Steve R · #86 (**permalink**) 08-20-2003, 04:16 AM

Yeah Ernie,
I've done the "little water" fandango in my car.
I notice how you slip in the "North Shore" reference. My S.O.B. brother moved off the island a couple of months ago...no more crash pad at 3 tables

Needless to say, he is off my Christmas list.

mrmustang · #87 (**permalink**) 08-20-2003, 04:32 AM

GregN,

Will it hurt new car sales, perahps, but will it hurt used car sales, most likely not until there are enough of the used "new Shelby product" in the pipeline. Even then, it will still be a buyers marketplace. Price will dictate some of it, as will the quality of the build itself. Without actually seeing one of the new chassis's, I will not comment further................

Bill S.

Dan Semko · #88 (**permalink**) 08-20-2003, 05:55 AM

"The bottom line is a rose is a rose, some are more expensive, while others are just as attractive. They'll all be expensive at the "right time" and like the rose, when the subject is handled without the proper reverence, it will always draw blood."

No reason for anyone to put a spin on the word "prick" because it will still draw blood. I have BOTH SPF and CSX cars and they are like comparing emeralds to rubies. Neither are diamonds but BOTH are equally valuable, enjoyable and pleasing to the eye. You can argue their value, beauty, originality, "toughness" etc but they still become great bartering items to our significant others when we want a cobra.

Lowell W · #89 (**permalink**) 08-20-2003, 06:27 AM

CS must like South African cars...

BANDIT 1 · #90 (**permalink**) 08-20-2003, 06:32 AM

Brett:

I have always answered that question with "no, it's a 650 horsepowered 520c.i. big block Superformance Cobra". I have never had anyone look "disapointed" except for mabey a Viper or CSX owner that just lost the race by two or three car lengths against it...

The average "hot rodder" or "speed junkie" is more interested in what the car can do performance wise than they are about the stupid question that they have all been trained to ask "is it real".

They have been trained to ask the same question about a womans breast, but 99% don't seem to let it bother them if she says their "not real" either. Hell, some think their better "not real".

I love the CSX Cobra, period. I am just am tired of folks saying that the cars do EVERYTHING better than every other Cobra out there because they are a "real" Cobra.

computerworks · #91 (**permalink**) 08-20-2003, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Brett J. Bolte

Then, why is it that the first question out of anybody's mouth when they see a 427 is, "Is it real"?

...Because there are so many replicas on the road, the interested observer is like Diogenes... in search of an actual original Cobra... they may never have seen one, but always hope to.

grumpy · #92 (**permalink**) 08-20-2003, 07:50 AM

You got it!
Well said Ron, and most probably never will, owners of the originals are driving and showing them less. A replica, whether done as good original copy or not just stirs the observers/wishful owners blood.
grumpy

Great Asp · #93 (**permalink**) 08-20-2003, 06:58 PM

The discussion on the suspension differences between the SAI/CAV cars, and the SPF cars was my earlier point.

The SPF car is clearly not a Shelby Cobra. It was not designed to be so, but rather a body that was more "shapely", and a suspension that was improved as good as they can make it, for the wheelbase and width. Clearly not like the originals. I feel people know this when they buy a SPF car, and that is one case of selling on differences.

The SAI cars are very close to the originals, and they go to great effort to build the cars that way. For the guy that wants to say, "I own a Shelby Cobra", and have that look, I suspect would buy either the LV or CAV version based on dollars.

Lots of guys I see at car shows have gone to great lengths to make their "non-Shelby" car "look" original. These guys would be good customers for SAI I suspect.

But as Dan Semko said, "BOTH SPF and CSX cars and they are like comparing emeralds to rubies".

Eric

REAL 1 · #94 (**permalink**) 08-20-2003, 07:38 PM

Ron: Very good point. However I would like to note what I have experienced on this subject.

I have noticed that many times in the past when the average Joe asked "is it real" they are indeed asking "is it an original 60's Cobra". Alot of people didn't know about the new Shelbys. But what I have also noticed is that when you told them its a new continuation series Cobra from SAI built to their exact 1965 specs and briefly explained the history of the car and the continuation series Cobras they became fascinated and excited with the car, their eyes widen and they started examining it even closer. Nearly everytime they clearly seemed to accept the car as a REAL Cobra. That was a year ago.

Today as more people seem to know or have read about SAI and the continuation series, more and more people seem to instantly know what the car is by its VIN# and you can over hear many refering to the car as the "REAL thing" a "REAL Shelby" the "new Continuation Cobra by Shelby" the "REAL deal". Many are even excited to see a new Continuation series Cobra. For some reason they also seem to be in awe when you tell them its an aluminum body Cobra. This has just been from my own personal observations at shows and local cruize nights where the average Joe sees the car. They seem to understand and recongnize that while its not an original '65 it is nevertheless a REAL Cobra . This is just what I've observed and experienced. I'm not saying what I've seen should be equated to a Zogby Poll however. Just my observations and experience.

Bandit 1: Maybe I missed something here but where did any CSX owner say the CSX was superior to the SPF? Please point it out.

What seems to be clear is that you keep toutng the SPF chasis as superior. I really don't care if it is because as far as I'm concerned if the original design was good enough to bring home 5 SCCA class A production titles its good enough for me. So lets not write the 427 off as a total failed racer because it wasn't.

While your engine I'm sure has killer power and is quite impressive, I would like to point out one small fact. Your "supercharged" monster motor is probably putting out more hp than any production Cobra did. It can't be compared to a production spec Cobra. While the Cobra was fast in its day, and is still very fast even by todays standards you are trying to compare apples to oranges. Its like comparing a 1970's vintage ZX 900 to the new Hyabusa as to power and accelaration. Whats your point? You have a car which looks like a Cobra but thats where it ends because its chasis, suspension and power train are off the "Cobra" spec charts. This is not a knock but merely pointing out what you have impliedly admitted too.

As to your claim that your car can out accelarate a Hyabusa, while I'm not calling you a liar I find such a claim incrediable knowing the shear brutal performance the Hyabusa is capable of. It is without question a near 200 mph bike. Can you offer proof of such capability? I would truely like to see it because if its true you have an amazing car as far a straight line accelaration.

Finally, and I think I requested this information from you in the past as to claims of SPF chasis superiority but never got an answer...where is your data and proof the SPF chasis is superior? Does it have superior torsional rigidity? If so what are the numbers compared to the CSX's original design chasis. What is superior about SPF suspension? Why do you claim an SPF handles better since they both have a 90 inch wheelbase?

Finally I would like to say I hope all this besting of Vipers and CSX's isn't occuring on the street but rather on the drag strip. I'd hate to see 650 hp at speed go out of control on the street.

CSX 4027 · #95 (**permalink**) 08-20-2003, 09:22 PM

CAV/SHELBY
= Priced right for any kit car
(Wheels, tires, leather seats etc..)
= CSX number (No matter what any have to say, it still is the most recognizable Cobra designation.)
= Shelby Registry listed. (No other kit gets in, period)
= Shelby ownwership.
= Resale Value. (If you were looking at 2 used Cobra's equally equiped and equally priced, which one would you buy? If you were going to buy the other one then wouldn't you offer less money than the equally equiped Shelby Car?
= How much less than the 40-60K could it possibly be worth? Remember how most felt I got lucky when I sold mine for the big number? I remember most felt it should have been a low of 75K and a high of 90? Well, here is your chance to do one at a bargain basement price. It won't be this price forever so any that are interested, I suggest you move quickly. It won't ever be offered at less, that's for sure.
.....I'll wait for the cheapie 289 steet car. I am hoping with the old horse & buggy suspension for $34,999

speedraser · #96 (**permalink**) 08-21-2003, 12:51 AM

To each his own. Personally, I would not buy a 'glass Shelby just because it's a Shelby, even if the price is comparable. ERA and SPF, among others, designed their chassis for sound engineering reasons. I have not seen torsional rigidity figures for any Cobra other than ERA, which refences its figures on the ERA website. While at this point I don't know which is the best chassis for my own criteria, if it turns out to be ERA or SPF, then that is what I'll buy. ERA's quality (assuming turnkey) and aesthetic accuracy is without question, and the SPF is also excellent. The chassis and body structure significantly affect handling and the way the car will perform if it's crashed. To me, if the body is 'glass, then the chassis is more important than the serial number.

Turk · #97 (**permalink**) 08-21-2003, 01:30 AM

So SPF's perform better if they are crashed?
What is that based on?

TURK
I think none of these cars crash well. That's what I think.

mr bruce · #98 (**permalink**) 08-21-2003, 03:38 AM

Actually, the SPF and ERA most likely "Crash better" better than the straight frame rail cars. Go look at any rear wheel drive car out in the parking lot. None of them have straight frame rails running the length of the car. All have a "kick-up in the front ", that gives in a crash.

mrmustang · #99 (**permalink**) 08-21-2003, 06:45 AM

Lowell W · #**100** (**permalink**) 08-21-2003, 06:46 AM

"I'm drinking a real Coca-Cola and you're not."

"Well, mine's a Cola, too but it's an RC."

"Yeah, but it's not an original Coke, nor is it made by the company which made the original Coca Cola and has been the owner of the 'Coca-Cola' brand since its inception."

"BFD, mine tastes just as good, maybe better and I happen to like it."

"Yes, but it's not a real Coca Cola, and, since it wasn't made by the Coca Cola company, you can't call it a Coke but I can call mine a Coke and when people ask me what I'm drinking, I can tell them I'm drinking a REAL Coke, even though it was made yesterday. I don't care whether yours tastes better or not, mine is real (even though, of course, one of the key ingredients in the original Coca-Cola is no longer included) and if it was good enough for them, it's good enough for me..."

"What EVER!!!"