Cobra Crash in CA Yesterday

[Gaz64]

Originally Posted by KDubU

Hard to say right now the reason for the crash, some are stating high speed which is indicated by the impact and roadster being in pieces so that is logical. However the cause for high speed has not been confirmed, so it could be the right foot or it could be a stuck throttle, been known to happen and one has to react quickly. His roadster was a beauty and I have only seen it from afar and yes it supposedly had over 700hp which is too much IMHO for a car this size. One can get into trouble easily with 400 let alone 700.

Yes that is exactly correct.

Condolences to family, RIP.

[t walgamuth]

With 700 hp you could almost pass out from the G forces....(said with sad whimsy.)

[EM-0785]

Just as this car achieved a unique beauty and awe-inspiring nature, I’m sure Sol was many times that such a uniquely beautiful man to his family and friends. Many condolences for a great loss.

Over time, if there’s anything we can learn about the cause of Cobra accidents, it can serve to help keep other Cobra owners safe ongoing. They don’t have to be fatal accidents either, this unfortunately was. Particularly if a part failure, which I know often isn't determined as these don’t get forensics like a plane crash.

Perhaps a stuck pedal, or a tie rod failure, a steering joint failure, a broken rear half shaft, a blowout with no scatter shield, etc., etc. Were there current projects with specific road testing underway that may highlight an issue for others to be aware of and consider in their planning.

Again, many condolences, very sad...

Brent

[cycleguy55]

Originally Posted by EM-0785

Just as this car achieved a unique beauty and awe-inspiring nature, I’m sure Sol was many times that such a uniquely beautiful man to his family and friends. Many condolences for a great loss.

Over time, if there’s anything we can learn about the cause of Cobra accidents, it can serve to help keep other Cobra owners safe ongoing. They don’t have to be fatal accidents either, this unfortunately was. Particularly if a part failure, which I know often isn't determined as these don’t get forensics like a plane crash.

Perhaps a stuck pedal, or a tie rod failure, a steering joint failure, a broken rear half shaft, a blowout with no scatter shield, etc., etc. Were there current projects with specific road testing underway that may highlight an issue for others to be aware of and consider in their planning.

Again, many condolences, very sad...

Brent

Well said. Yes, many condolences to his friends and family.

I've seen comments in another thread (now closed) that were, at the very least, incredibly insensitive. At this point none of us know the cause of this tragedy, but that hasn't stopped some from weighing in with their ignorant comments - perhaps only to make themselves feel more important. Regardless, I'm sure most of us feel some sense of loss, even if we didn't know Sol personally. He was, after all, one of the fraternity.

Such tragedies can often reflect poorly on our cars and we as owners, particularly in the eyes of an uninformed public. It's also worth noting such incidents don't escape the scrutiny of legislators, law enforcement and insurance companies - some of whom may be predisposed to 'tightening the screws' on such vehicles.

Let's all be diligent in the construction, maintenance and operation of our vehicles so as not to give those opposed any more ammunition than they may already have.

Again, many condolences to Sol's family and friends.

[t walgamuth]

Originally Posted by cycleguy55

Well said. Yes, many condolences to his friends and family.

I've seen comments in another thread (now closed) that were, at the very least, incredibly insensitive. At this point none of us know the cause of this tragedy, but that hasn't stopped some from weighing in with their ignorant comments - perhaps only to make themselves feel more important. Regardless, I'm sure most of us feel some sense of loss, even if we didn't know Sol personally. He was, after all, one of the fraternity.

Such tragedies can often reflect poorly on our cars and we as owners, particularly in the eyes of an uninformed public. It's also worth noting such incidents don't escape the scrutiny of legislators, law enforcement and insurance companies - some of whom may be predisposed to 'tightening the screws' on such vehicles.

Let's all be diligent in the construction, maintenance and operation of our vehicles so as not to give those opposed any more ammunition than they may already have.

Again, many condolences to Sol's family and friends.

Thanks for your thoughtful comments.

[Moto One]

Condolences to the family, friends.

Mark.

[CCKW353]

Just came across.... https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds...l#&gid=1&pid=1

insane if the same car.

[KDubU]

Yes that looks like Sol’s FF roadster. He had the Roush blower on his.

[8Ball]

Thanks Bob!!

[Alfa02]

Ok, if this is Sol car, which it look's like it is.. How should we feel about what to do with the piece's ? Carry on thinking he would like the pieces to make other people Cobras (better, faster?) or leave it alone, and leave his memory as is?? You folks that knew him, can maybe chime in with your thoughts? RIP Sol.

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by Alfa02

How should we feel about what to do with the piece's ?

Dumpster... I'm surprised someone swept it into a dustpan to take to the auction place.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Alfa02

How should we feel about what to do with the piece's ?

Not only should you carry your own organ donor card when driving one of these cars, your car needs to carry one as well.

[8Ball]

Originally Posted by CCKW353

Just came across.... https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds...l#&gid=1&pid=1

insane if the same car.

noticed a couple of things in these pics. Look at where the speedo and tach were frozen. It looks as if the burst panel is blown of the blower, if that is what it is.
He had a throttle by wire, I suspecting a malfunction. Ive known
Saul for several years and have been on many runs with him. He was always cautious and responsible with his Cobra.

[Dale McBain]

A case for only wearing the lap belt. My cousins husband was killed along with a family friend in his Superformance 2 weeks ago. They were both wearing the 4 point harness

Dale McBain
SPF469

[Blue66]

Originally Posted by CCKW353

Just came across.... https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds...l#&gid=1&pid=1

insane if the same car.

Still a lot of good parts there. Someone will buy it.

[Alfa02]

@ Dale McBain, Detail's Please? A pretty bold statement, that they were killed "Because' of wearing a 4-point harness (Safer) then coming out alive with just Lap Belts. Unless it was a freak accident, 4-point beats 2 every time. Tom.

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by Alfa02

@ Dale McBain, Detail's Please? A pretty bold statement, that they were killed "Because' of wearing a 4-point harness (Safer) then coming out alive with just Lap Belts. Unless it was a freak accident, 4-point beats 2 every time. Tom.

Not if you are in a rollover accident and don't have a roll bar. Because when its your shoulders and head the only thi g above the car YOU become the roll bar. Not likely a good situation.

In this case if both driver and passenger died then the accident was pretty bad and more than roll bars and harnesses were also factors.

[Alfa02]

Exactly as twobjshelbys said. In the event of a Cobra roll-over with no roll bar- bar's, any idea that you will somehow save yourself by ducking down below the cowl, while belted in with just a lap belt, is physically impossible, with the G-forces generated, in that type of accident. As a gambler I don't like those odds. It sounds like this accident was unsurvivable in any case. There again I would like to hear how a lap belt, would have saved these people, and 4-point killed them? Tom.

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by Alfa02

Exactly as twobjshelbys said. In the event of a Cobra roll-over with no roll bar- bar's, any idea that you will somehow save yourself by ducking down below the cowl, while belted in with just a lap belt, is physically impossible, with the G-forces generated, in that type of accident. As a gambler I don't like those odds. It sounds like this accident was unsurvivable in any case. There again I would like to hear how a lap belt, would have saved these people, and 4-point killed them? Tom.

This is the reason Shelby American will not install a shoulder harness on the passenger side.

[t walgamuth]

I have a double wide roll bar. That plus four point harness makes me feel cozy.