42 degrees, 5 Cobras, 105 miles for coffee.

John-Tucson · #1 (**permalink**) 01-20-2004, 12:03 AM

On Sunday, Jan. 18th , we had five Cobras and a Mercedes attack the road to Aravaca, AZ. It was 42 degrees as we departed Tucson and headed south. The road to Aravaca is 23 miles of turns, ups and downs, and quiet beauty. The speed limit is 45 mph bit we held a reasonable 60 mph so that everyone could keep up ( I'm talking about the Mercedes ). At the turns marked 30 mph with a 90 degree bend we cautiously slowed to 50 and let the rears drift a bit. The sky was clear, there was a bit of a chill in the air, and the undulating road made it feel like a road course in a European country. There was no traffic going in our direction and the view from the rear was awesome. The Cobras looked like a continous snake slithering through the country side. There was no stretch of road more than 1/4 mile that was straight. Even with 400 + HP the top speed would only be about 80 before an immediate and hard brake application would be necessary for the next turn. As we pulled into the coffee shop and dismounted there were smiles and grins and hand waveings and talk about shift points, gears missed, and rpm's, and "wow, how about that blind 90 degree turn on the top of the hill" and " I bottomed out in that dip going to the left " The coffee will not be forgotten because it was STRONG, after a 30 minute stop we departed west again and encountered 12 miles of more twisty road, this road surface was ruffer with some light sand on it so that the speeds were slower in the corners. Upon reaching a main road we headed north and for 33 miles we didn't see a speed limit sign, a comfortable speed of 65 to 75 made the Cobras stick to the road during the almost continious turning ( this road would be an exciting challange with speeds of 100 + if it wasn't for the continous stream US Customs vehicles going in the oppsite direction) ( which brings up another point - do you guys realize that they are catching over 850 illegles a DAY just in Arizona !!! ) and the beautiful scenery made a nice ending to the trip. From the start to the end it was 105 miles. YES, we do drive our Cobras 12 months of the year in Arizona. John

mrpink · #2 (**permalink**) 01-20-2004, 04:14 AM

John, nice report!

thorconstr · #3 (**permalink**) 01-20-2004, 06:41 AM

John, You're making me homesick for AZ. I lived in Tucson from 1971 to 1985, don't have a clue why I came back to CT. My brother lives in a house that we both own in Tucson. We also own 70 acres on the east side of route 83 to Sonoita behind the Dopler station, which brings me to this question. Driving between I-10 and Sonoita on RT 83 I always wanted to be in a Cobra. Have you ever driven this road in your Cobra? Was it as much fun as I dreamed? Thanks, Al

rdorman · #4 (**permalink**) 01-20-2004, 07:45 AM

When I picked my car up in Tempe for the drive home to Ohio a couple of Aprils ago, we took the side route up through Sedona. Some of the most beautiful country I have ever seen. If you could crank down the thermostat in the summer, I might even consider moving.
Rick

Art Burtt · #5 (**permalink**) 01-20-2004, 08:31 AM

42 degrees?? Here in North Joisey we call that a heat wave!!!

mrmustang · #6 (**permalink**) 01-20-2004, 08:37 AM

Art,

I'm deicing my driveway as we speak, want to go for a spin today........Should be a high of 24 degrees...................I'm game if you are.....................

Bill S.

rdorman · #7 (**permalink**) 01-20-2004, 08:44 AM

Must be having a heat wave in Jersey. I think we will hit 18 today.

I still take the car out. So long as the roads are dry (and not to salty), with the top and heater on it is not bad at all.

No where near as bad crossing the high desert, in April, twenties, at night, 30 to 40 knot gusts, sustained high speed and no real seals in the doors for hours on end. Now THAT was cold.

By the way, a wet suit works wonders on a cold day!

Rick

mikiec · #8 (**permalink**) 01-20-2004, 10:33 AM

John,

Sounds like fun. The last time I was on that road I was driving a 69 Plymouth Road Runner with a HEMI under the hood. Used to run that same car on River Road before they straightened it and allowed homes there.

Glad all had a good time.

Mike

Randy Resetar · #9 (**permalink**) 01-20-2004, 12:16 PM

Ok guys...Rick, It's 18 today and Bill, Your deiceing your driveway???? And guys think were grazy when it's 110 in the summer. That's why god made swimming pools

...RR

mrmustang · #10 (**permalink**) 01-20-2004, 12:29 PM

Randy,

22 degrees, I de-iced the driveway so I could get the Cobra out and test some of the tweaks I had done to the carb and timing.......The cold weather never bothers me, just as long as I am prepped for it beforehand......Will take the car out again on Wednesday, just as long as the sun is out..................Take some pictures, then perhaps time to put it up on Ebay

....

Bill S.

Quote:

Originally posted by Randy Resetar

Ok guys...Rick, It's 18 today and Bill, Your deiceing your driveway???? And guys think were grazy when it's 110 in the summer. That's why god made swimming pools ...RR