Ford announces NEW SHELBY COBRA

[Art Colley]

Forgive me if this has been duplicated elswhere, but I just picked up this story from my friends in England. It appears to add to what is already in the thread. This was posted today (Jan 05).

http://corvettechat.co.uk/gassing/to...74502&f=57&h=0

And hello to all, Happy New Year, I'm glad to be back, great to see so many of the old regulars on the forum!

edit: i wanted to get this up in a hurry, I'll be back when I have time, and have read more of this thread.

[Ken Oikawa]

Hey Art
Hello and Happy New Year!!

[maxrpm]

Art,
I just went to their site & had a real laugh! Here's one quote on the look of the 'new' Cobra:
"Why does this car look so sad? Can it see itself?"

[lrshelby]

I don't think I saw this link posted yet but sorry if it has been...

Ford.com announcement

As for the styling, it could certainly use some tweaks but I like it. You'll see the new Shelby Mustangs in the marketplace well before this car sees any kind of production run. Just my .02.

[sambrozy]

It looks expensive. Very expensive like maybe 95k. I sort of like the curves on the hood and front fenders when sitting behind the wheel on the old design.

[Rick Bagley]

What a sled!!!
They missed the boat on this one. Even the engine and the car dont match. Love that BOX design.

[wilf leek]

It might be as well to remember that this is a "concept" car. Launch timing just right for the big USA motor shows.
Ford in dire need of some image-boosting for their range of vehicles.

Not that I wear a hat normally, but if it ever makes volume production in this form (anyone spot the lack of air-filtering for those throttle slides?), I would thereupon eat it. (crow pie anyone?)

[Excaliber]

Yeah, I had not only noticed the lack of air cleaners I asked in another thread, "Where are they?"

A. I suppose the air filter could be in the hood and fits down over the engine when closed?

B. The induction system is "looks only"?

IF Ford made it look TO much like the original, their competition would be Kirkham. And there to smart to a start a war with THOSE guys!

Ernie

[Art Colley]

Wow!

Lots of great comments; I like the car.

It is a thoroughly modern interpretation of a Cobra, and hits the spot (my opinion). Consider: It has the Ol Man behind it, it is unmistacably Cobra, it has no pretense of being anything other than a rocket sled, it is pure and single minded in its form/function as the original and the Viper were, and it is very different from the original (Note: for discussion, I mean all, original and replica, when I say "original"), thereby avoiding the one fatal problem it could have, which is to compete with the original. All in all, a very elegant product which balances the conflicting priorities. Well Done!

In consideration of it versus the GT. Obviously the GT40 doesn't exist either in real or replica form in signifigant number, so the mission of the modern GT was to "re-issue" the original.

This car's mission is a bit different, which I would describe as an attempt to draw attention to the original (and what it meant), but not to be a "re-issue". A more difficult job, I'd say

As to it's looks, I really like it. But even if there is difference of opinion there, it is very obvious to me, based on what Ford and Shel are saying, that they understand the importance of the original, and the need to not step on it. And that is really good news.

I feel much more settled about the Cobra, the replicas, and Shelby and Ford now. Seems that we may have peace at last.

So I tend to see the car more for what it represents than what it physically is. As to its design, again I like it, but that is a different discussion.

REALLY WELL DONE.

Regards,

[maxrpm]

I can't wait to run one over at the track! It may have 100hp more than mine but it's also 1000lbs fatter...

[Unique580hp]

Well said Art.

I commend Ford on their commitment to bring us the cars that we want, not the cars we need. If Chevrolet would have come out with a retro Camaro for instance, the car wouldn't have died.

I did see some new photos of the 2005 Mustang. It looks like they toned it down a lot from the previous prototypes.

I know that a concept car usually gets a severe makeover to make it production ready. I just hope that they didn't change the 2005 Mustang too much from the concept.

My own .02

[RedBarchetta]

I'd rather plunk down $150K for the GT. The new Shelby is a nice car, don't get me wrong. It's just not my style and I'd rather spend my horsepower dollars on something else (like a new C6 Corvette or the GT, though we're talking big budget differences here! )

-Deano

[Excaliber]

.....like a mere mortal could actually buy a GT-40 even IF he had the money!

They'll be snapped up by insiders and celebrities the first year at least.

Ernie

[CSX 4027]

You can put 600hp in a go-cart.
No top, no windows & shoe box looks...
I don't think so...
I think Ford should have taken the time to smoothe out the body on this car. It is far from a timeless design like anything Shelby made during the 60's.
I am sure it will be a smoker but I have seen a lot of really fast cars I would not buy.
I am disappointed.

If anything I stated was already said, I apologise. I just got my new computer up and running and have not bothered to read the whole thread.

[Rick Parker]

To me it looks a lot like the new restyled little BMW convertable. I think the engine is the same as what was in the full size (Crown Vic??) 427 Concept car that was publicized several months ago.
It has been rumored that Ford's SVT team is taking a year off and it would be safe to say will probably be involved in this in some manner. Give them some time, they release these pics wwwwaaaaayyyy before any final decision is made and they are constantly getting consumer feedback, just like what has been said here in only 3 days, before they finalize anything. They are constantly "Taking the Public's Temprature". Consider it a preliminary TEST. It goes on all the time when a manufacturer considers "Sticking their toe into a market."

Rick

[STG]

After monitoring Club Cobra, CS and Bill decided to come up with a lightweight version of the New Cobra. (Also useful for getting Carroll's consulting fee back home.)

[REAL 1]

Looks are subjective.

The new Ford Cobra is nice but IMHO it needs some work. The entire allure of the Cobra was it beautiful timeless curved lines.

The new car needs its edges rounded off to recapture some of the timeless curves and look of the Cobra.

This is my opinion.

[wilf leek]

Originally posted by REAL 1



This is my opinion. [/b]

Evan - you forgot "FWIW"???

Happy New Year my friend.

[Edley Rondinone]

This view looks like Rosie the Robot from the "JETSONS!"