Arntz Butler guys---we got gypped!

[Fred Douglass]

I drove my Butler up next to an SPF and noticed that the SPFs have about 3 inches more "snout"! Weird! Looked like my Butler had a blunt, almost weapon-like look (check out a C-type Jag---or even the D-type, for that matter). Same thing.
The SPF nosescoop looked a little exotic and maybe even delicate in comparison. I also noted the a FF (also present) had the famed "perky butt". Yet, just when I thought this was an FF modification or at least a later change by Shelby, it turns out this narrow, tall look IS quite accurate---judging from some photos of CS and three of his mounts. I also noticed that some later 427 SCs seemed to have modified this rear somewhat---adding some vertical space above the rear-wheel arches and widening the whole deal.

In any case, I like the Arntz-Butler's "bulgy butt" and the "pug" nose. Sure looks lower, a bit more bellicose and less delicate. I once had a friend with a Greek-god bod and overly-handsome features----except for one thing. This one thing was a genetic "beak" like Jacques Cousteau. It certainly stood between him and many a date. Most of us in SAE fraternity (what else?) suggested he go out and "get some miles on it". As in get it flattened. He KNEW we didn't mean cosmetic (rhinoplastic?) surgery. Couldn't bring himself to pick a bar-fight. So we did the SAE thing. Got him snot-flying drunk (cheap anesthetic) and then several of us "helped" him acquire the "new nose". It came out great! Got lotsa dates after that because he didn't look like a no-sack pretty boy.

Ditto the "Busted-Beak" Butler look. Check it out. I think ANY cobra is miles ahead of just about any other car, but when it comes to finish, I gotta hand it to the SPF. Nonetheless, any cobra in a mall parking-lot is an instant car-show. Makes you swell up with pride, but it also makes you unwilling to be out of sight for long stretches.

[Yetiman]

All i know is, i couldn't be much happier with the lines of my Arnie...

Took it out for the first ride of the year yesterday (after a long Wisconsin winter), and i was a little weak in the knees when i got out, just like the first time i drove it.

Now if Trigo would just ship me my wheels !

[marcocsx3121]

I am not a supporter of the FFR "perky butt" story. Take a look at the side shot of CSX3121 in my gallery. If that butt isn't "perky" I'm William Tecumsah Sherman.

[Fred Douglass]

.....Marco:

General! Izzat you? (Just kidding).
I believe I didn't make myself clear---I too reject the "FFR invented the perky butt" myth. Hence my reference to the photo, which I cannot find in the fecal-pile doubling as my office studio. In any case, your car(s) are spectacular! The specific dimensions to which I refer are seen best from "dead abeam" and down low. They are the distance between the upper right quadrant of the wheel arch and the corner of the cockpit opening AND the span of body-work (largley empty) which extends upwards and back from the top of the wheel-well. Several manufacturers have kept the narrow (AC?) fenders and gone to the rather abrupt (not quite right-angle) flares. Re your current ride, DO NOT, unless so ordered by a medical professional buy the NEW '05 "Vette--two reasons: 1) they're going to beef up the 2006 and 2) if you DO, we'll never see you in your own cobra again!

Yetiman,

Good stuff on those photos! You are pushing Spring a tad, is you not? Aar-ar-ar. I'm going to open up my wee hoos on the Coast of Maine in 2 weeks--no central heating and an outdoor shower! Oh, by the way, you don't know of another Arntz- Butler in your area (also blue) with a Mike Adams monococque, a hard-top and a BB Chebbie, do ya? Ron's son Brett Butler (Ventura, CA) did some work on it and then drove it back to (?)---it might have been Michigan, rather than WisCANson...the owner races it. Has a Ford 9" rear and live axle.

I found that a brand new Butler front end with a 1+" anti-roll bar changes everything! Whooo-eeeee!

By the way---editors, I tried to put this thread on the Arntz-Butler Forum---whattido wrong?

Keep smililn through....

[marcocsx3121]

I understood that you didn't buy the "perky butt- FFR" stuff either. Must be propaganda being spread by the SPF/ERA crowd.

I'm not about to buy an '05 'Vette, or any other fun car other than a re-Cobra. I have too much mod money sunk into the old C5, and I'm actually well beyond what the forthcoming C6/Z06 will bring to the table.

I really want one of those 2000 pound Kirkham FIA/427 hybrids with an all-aluminum 427 Windsor. All I can do is hope for a BIG stock market rally.

[Maricopa]

FFR may have not invented the perky butt, but they sure as hell came up with the 'pointy trunk'.