Elvis Presley and the White 427 Cobra

[Mark IV]

"Refund!"

But Neddy, Wally would remember what issue he wrote for........................

[1985 CCX]

Think Max found the Elvis car, then he decided he was going for a ride......

[spinout11]

Here's a few photos of the stunt car used in the movie Spinout with Elvis back in 1978. I raced it at BIR in Mn. and also in Elkart Lake Wis. It still had the original tires that where in the movie on it. I bought in in 77 then in 1986 sold it to Jimmy Velvet. That's a story in it's self.

[VRM]

Rich,
Excellent! Thanks for posting! I had a couple of friends over a year or two ago and I queued up the dunking section of Spinout and swore up and down that it was not a Cobra. They thought I was an idiot for thinking it wasn't, and for even caring. They think I'm an idiot for other reasons too, but at least it wont be for this one...

How did it drive?

Steve

[spinout11]

It drove good. On the strait of BIR I was clocked at 172 MPH It was very smooth, but it sat high off the road. In one photo it looked like a 4x4 Did not corner very well though. In the five years of racing it I was in the grass at least 4 times. It sure was fun. I'm working on another thunder boomer now. Kellison convertible with a Jaguar frame and a Chevy motor.

[Historybuff]

There is another Elvis movie where he is driving the '59 Stingray at the opening.
I know they didn't make Sting Rays until '63 but this was the race car prototype.

[TomP]

That was Clambake with the GM prototype.
Cool history on the Spinout car.

[imaracingmom]

Originally Posted by spinout11

It drove good. On the strait of BIR I was clocked at 172 MPH It was very smooth, but it sat high off the road. In one photo it looked like a 4x4 Did not corner very well though. In the five years of racing it I was in the grass at least 4 times. It sure was fun. I'm working on another thunder boomer now. Kellison convertible with a Jaguar frame and a Chevy motor.

Was telling my 33 year old son about this car a couple of days ago. He did not believe me that I had been going to BIR since the 70's. I grew up in St. Louis Park. Some friends of mine were crew for you at BIR and I tagged along a few times. My son didn't believe me that I had met somebody who raced the car in that Elvis movie. It was my first experience watching road course racing, as most of my interest was in stock car racing and drag racing back then.

We are former racers and huge motorsports fans. One of the current owners of BIR passed away about a week ago and my son was at the memorial last night. People were talking about the history of the track and my son mentioned the story from good old Mom about the Spinout car. Glad to find this and show him it is a real story.

Wish my old photo albums hadn't been destroyed. Had some great pictures of you and the crew at the track! Really glad I found this thread, sure brings back lots of memories.

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by imaracingmom

Was telling my 33 year old son about this car a couple of days ago. He did not believe me that I had been going to BIR since the 70's. I grew up in St. Louis Park. Some friends of mine were crew for you at BIR and I tagged along a few times. My son didn't believe me that I had met somebody who raced the car in that Elvis movie. It was my first experience watching road course racing, as most of my interest was in stock car racing and drag racing back then.

We are former racers and huge motorsports fans. One of the current owners of BIR passed away about a week ago and my son was at the memorial last night. People were talking about the history of the track and my son mentioned the story from good old Mom about the Spinout car. Glad to find this and show him it is a real story.

Wish my old photo albums hadn't been destroyed. Had some great pictures of you and the crew at the track! Really glad I found this thread, sure brings back lots of memories.

I remember reading in the PB post about Jed Copham being killed in what has been called "a boating/swimming accident". Sad as he appeared to be a very driven man, and a young one at that.

[86Sebring]

Originally Posted by imaracingmom

Was telling my 33 year old son about this car a couple of days ago. He did not believe me that I had been going to BIR since the 70's. I grew up in St. Louis Park. Some friends of mine were crew for you at BIR and I tagged along a few times. My son didn't believe me that I had met somebody who raced the car in that Elvis movie. It was my first experience watching road course racing, as most of my interest was in stock car racing and drag racing back then.

We are former racers and huge motorsports fans. One of the current owners of BIR passed away about a week ago and my son was at the memorial last night. People were talking about the history of the track and my son mentioned the story from good old Mom about the Spinout car. Glad to find this and show him it is a real story.

Wish my old photo albums hadn't been destroyed. Had some great pictures of you and the crew at the track! Really glad I found this thread, sure brings back lots of memories.

How cool is that, welcome to the forum and thanks for sharing !

[imaracingmom]

Originally Posted by mrmustang

I remember reading in the PB post about Jed Copham being killed in what has been called "a boating/swimming accident". Sad as he appeared to be a very driven man, and a young one at that.

Jed passed away in Florida. He was young to me, only 46 or so. Very nice man, hard worker, a true car guy. Very humble and down to earth. He will be missed very much.