Visit to Jim Riddell

Veloce · #1 (**permalink**) 08-06-2005, 05:40 PM

Mr. Potato head and I took a drive out to Manteca after the Athens breakfast today.

Jim Riddell met us at Cutting Edge Replicas and had a completed car for us to drive and see if all of the really innovative suspension pieces that we have been seeing for the last 4 years were worth it.

We were totally impressed with the handling of the car.
It was extremely stable during turns and at 130 mph on a country road.
It squatted on the road and was far more stable than my FFR (with IRS, LSD and coilovers) and several other Cobra cars that I have ridden in (like Emerson, ERA, FFR, and even a Shelby CSX 4000 series car).

Cruising on the highway was effortless and comfortable as the supplied sidepipes tamed the rumble of the 427 to a very enjoyable level.

The supplied Wilwood brakes (front and rear) brought the car to a VERY stable and quick stop from 100 mph, with no fade after several stops.

The body work was completed by Ken Pike in Marysville, CA (aka Street Rod Painter). The fit and finish was exemplary and the paint job was also excellent. much of this appears to be the quality of the body before painting but Ken's work is really terrific.

The fit and finish of all the frame works and suspension parts is also excellent.
Many superior parts and components are included in the kit making the collection of parts to create a working kit much easier.

Anyone interested in a Cobra Replica should check out www.cuttingedgereplicas.com

Jim

PS; Anyone want to buy an FFR?

Mr. Potato Head · #2 (**permalink**) 08-08-2005, 07:43 PM

I vote a stong second to what Jim said.

The Cutting Edge car was a 427 shortblock claimed 555HP, with a stack injection (we'll have to overlook that).

I drove the car in anger.....very impressive. The Cutting Edge corners like a slot car and launched and accelerated like the Saturn Rocket. The torque started at 0 and goes to forever. so I jumped all over the go pedal at about 2500, pure hookup, negligable wheelspin and absolutely perfect straight line acceleration. I can easily pull the rear of my FIA out but I ran out of b*lls before I could get the Cutting Edge's rear to break loose.

I think you have to own a Cobra before you can fully appreciate the Cutting Edge.

"Mr. Potato Head"
aka Larry Davi