More Power

[Steve Bisson]

It's the spring of 1966 and a young, overeager customer is visiting his local Ford dealership. He's read about the 427 Cobra's massive big-block power, and he just has to have one.

The salesman repeatedly tries to steer the young enthusiast toward the more practical and docile small-block version, the 289 Cobra, but the potential customer will have none of it. So the salesman dutifully wheels a bright-red Cobra to the front of the lot and takes the youngster for the ride of his life.

Upon their return, the customer is visibly shaken. Once he is able to quell his trembling enough to finally catch his breath, he sheepishly admits that perhaps the 289 version might be a little more to his liking after all.

The salesman looks over at him and says bluntly, "That was the 289 version."


An excerpt from "Dream Drive" in the September issue of Classic Motorsports

[Juggernaut]

Originally Posted by Steve Bisson

It's the spring of 1966 and a young, overeager customer is visiting his local Ford dealership. He's read about the 427 Cobra's massive big-block power, and he just has to have one.

The salesman repeatedly tries to steer the young enthusiast toward the more practical and docile small-block version, the 289 Cobra, but the potential customer will have none of it. So the salesman dutifully wheels a bright-red Cobra to the front of the lot and takes the youngster for the ride of his life.

Upon their return, the customer is visibly shaken. Once he is able to quell his trembling enough to finally catch his breath, he sheepishly admits that perhaps the 289 version might be a little more to his liking after all.

The salesman looks over at him and says bluntly, "That was the 289 version."


An excerpt from "Dream Drive" in the September issue of Classic Motorsports

Good story.

I wonder if the customer bought the 289 or if he decided not to buy one at all??

[MadDog]

Thanks for sharing that story Steve. Everytime someone asks me if my car has a 427 in it they seem disapointed when I tell them its a small block. I forget that most of the people asking that question have never gone for a ride in a Cobra let a lone driven one.
My brother inlaw is a retired airborn ranger has seen and done things that most of us wouldnt do. I took him for a speacial ride on some of my favorate local twisty bits. Lets just say out of the corner of my eye I could see fear.
But he was having a good time.
MadDog

[jlalibe]

People usually feel different about small blocks after a spin in mine also.

[Michael C Henry]

I remember a comment made buy a Cobra replica builder. "You'll never see all the power potential of a big block". I'll have to admitt that I have quit before it did. I may be causous. Every now and then I'll smell tire smoke and get back out of the gas a little. Never had it come around on me. Don't want it to, I may not catch it in time. Besides I have to pay for my own tires.

[496fe]

This is similar to the ricer vs. Harley discussion. Two different animals. The small block is faster on a road course and is much more practical. A good well-built small block is more exciting than a big block. They seem like they are going faster because of the sound and the narrower power band.

A revving 427-style (FE) motor sounds like it is hardly working at all - kinda like a Harley. It's just that there is no feeling like a big block cruising along at 1,600 RPM - you feel it in your whole body. Some like the feeling, some don't.

Last thought. Even though friends of mine have them, if you have 427 badges on the side, you should have at least 427 inches. (I might not have any more small block frineds after that crack .

Brian