Do you like muscle cars? As defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a muscle car is any two-door sports car that contains a powerful engine, made for the purpose of high performance driving. These roadsters such as the Chevelle SS or the Shelby Cobra have a mystique that appeals to many people, even those who do not profess to carry any significant admiration for them.
Part of the allure of a Shelby Cobra is its pop culture history. The car has appeared in numerous movies, driven by such actors as Farrah Fawcett and Pierce Brosnan. This is a car with a distinctive look; if only onlookers knew about the power this car carries under its hood.
If you are considering buying a new Cobra, or of fixing up a car using a Cobra kit, it is likely that you already know about the records this car broke when it was first introduced to the public. The roadster was lauded for its ability to accelerate from zero to 60 miles per hour in under five seconds. When the driver is feeling particularly daring, the car can go from zero to 100 mph in just over 10 seconds.
The purr of the engine is like music to a car aficionado. When this car accelerates, people hear it coming. It might be surprising to hear the massive roar of the engine only to find out that the body of a Cobra weighs much less than other racing cars which can weigh upwards of 3,400 pounds. It is this very trait that makes it so fast on the road and track.
Car race tracks come in different lengths, ranging from 0.5 to 2.5 miles. The race might be on a short track, speedway, or super speedway. The fastest speed one was ever recorded at was in 1964 on a British speedway, in which a AC Cobra Coupe was clocked at 186 mph.
Now, it is not recommended that the average pedestrian driver attempt such speeds. For one, it is all too easy to lose control of the vehicle when it is traveling at a great speed. But it’s certainly not necessary to push the engine to its limits to enjoy this muscle car.
Should you choose to buy this car new, remember that it is going to cost you. Time is on your side here, as the search might take a little while. Now is the time to make friends with the nearest vintage car dealer, and remember to network at vintage road shows.
Now if you do not want to go that route, there is of course the option of a car kit. If the first option seems to take a long time, this choice may frustrate you. While you are not exactly building the car one piece at a time like in the eponymous Johnny Cash song, it may feel like it some days.
The Shelby Cobra is a car that has a well-deserved place in car history. If you desire it, this muscle car might have a place in your garage as well.
