AC Cobra Super Stocker

[SSDiv6]

Originally Posted by btrc

I took a tour through the Kirkham facility in Provo a few years ago and Tom Kirkham told me that their frame and suspension parts were interchangable with the original and they supplied parts to people restoring originals. I do believe they also build upgraded parts also.

These links are from articles written in AutoWeek when they started their company:

http://www.cobracountry.com/kirkham/...msidebar1.html

http://www.cobracountry.com/kirkham/...mfeature2.html

[Dave Gantz]

I have to wonder if the Stock family has a son or daughter named "Super"? But, I digress...

[Joe Abbazia]

All 427 cars had to be raced with hardtops, ie Harr ford,Motion king kobra. Look at Shelby drag snake option,it was part of package.

[Mike Taylor 3601]

Stock family has lot of kids there's, Pure,Top,Modified,Pro,Super,Factory,Street,Showroo m,and Jr. Stock LOL,I don't think I left any one out.
Hopefully the Stock family has sense of humor.
Mike Taylor 3601

[Bobby DiDomenico]

Originally Posted by herbjr

2800 lb shipping weight, 113 inch wheelbase, its got potiental. I happen to know where one is wrecked and no drivetrain.

Would those funky front wheel pants limit tire size? A guy near here bought one and had to redo his apron at the curb because he couldn't back into his driveway without them hitting.

This Cobra is a 289 big rear fender body correct?

[John Stock]

I want to thank everyone who has commented on the new car. Since there seems to be some interest, I thought I’d share a little background on the project and throw in a couple early photos.

About 12 years ago after watching the Hemi Challenge at Indy I sat down with my big red binders, the Classification Guide and Blueprint Specifications to see if there were any other combinations that could run SS/AA besides the 68 Hemi cars. Remember those before the internet availability? I only found one car that fit the class, the Cobra Roadster (Ken explained the Roadster part perfectly) which happened to be the only roadster in the guide, a neat thing, but too exotic and expensive to even consider. After that I was at a Vegas race and I toured the Shelby Facility across from the track, and in the facility was a group of unfinished Cobra Roadsters that got me thinking.

Since I had 2 GT cars that had never been real cars with a VIN, just an amalgamation of parts from other sources built into race cars and there were more 68 Hemi cars in existence than had ever been built, I conferred with Jim Skelly at NHRA who verified that a car need only be in conformity to the original vehicle. The origin of the components was not an issue, only their trueness to the original. That sent me on a search for Cobra parts. Then, before I could make substantial headway on the project the NHRA gave the ‘68 Hemi’s their own class and saved me from myself.

Fast forward to the release of the Ford 2010 Cobra Jet program and I took a glance at the new engine specs and it seemed that the 352 looked to have a fairly favorable horsepower rating. Jesse Kershaw helped me round up some of the required parts and Patterson Racing went to work on the motor.

I was looking for a good Escort ZX2 to build for GT and I was talking to my Ford buddy Alex Denysenko who said “Why don’t you build the Cobra we talked about years ago? NHRA dropped the 1982 restriction for GT cars and now all the cars in the guide are available.” I didn’t have a good answer not to, so as I’ve told Alex, this project is his fault.

The body and original chassis are from Kirkham Motorsports. They are exact reproductions of the original, hand formed all aluminum body on tube steel chassis, with the exception that the 4 inch main frame rail tubes are .125 wall as opposed to the originals which were .080 wall. Everything would bolt on an original car and vice versa. The key point is it is a reproduction, not a replica. The original cars were really race cars that were titled and driven on the street.

The car was dropped at PK for Pat and Andy Kronnenbitter to tackle. Pat and Andy incorporated everything I asked for and many more ideas of their own into what I consider an absolute work of art. The car is a traditional ultramodern Super Stock chassis in a very compact space. Please help yourself to a good look at their work if you can.

Tom Perdue massaged the aluminum body to perfection and added the flawless paint in what can only be described as the tape job from hell. Aesthetic Finishers powder coated the chassis, cage, underbody and every other possible part. My decades long racing confederate Rick Brown, Bill Lipscomb, Jerry Hall, Jeremy Stock and Michael Link all had hands in fabrication, transportation and details too numerous to recount. The irreplaceable Richard Doane set the chassis up and it hooked and went straight from pass one on. Jason Coan hit the convertor perfectly. Joel and Sean of “Joel’s On Joy” fame built the C-4. Gary Patterson, Vice-President at Shelby American has been an invaluable and indispensable source of information.

Last, but not least are all the NHRA Tech officials who provided consultation and guidance to bring this unique car to reality. They love our sport and we couldn’t operate without them.

Thanks to everyone who showed interest, hope to see you at the races.

[Greg Hill]

Pictures don't do this car justice. I hope all of you guys on this forum have the opportunity to see this car in person. It is remarkable.

[Mike Taylor 3601]

I look forward to seeing your car in person John, Thank's for your story on the build,I know that would have to be the short version,for a project like that.
Mike Taylor 3601

[ss wannabee]

Cool car...and it adds diversity to the eliminator....BUT it might be time to bring back the
Sports Car classes....(A/SP, B/SP...AM/SP...BM/SP...etc.)

This car should run in a modified sports class...IMHO....I don't think it's what we come to
know as a GT car...I KNOW by definition...it DOES...but.....

Of course let him run in Super Stock Eliminator...

Hey..they brought back '55 Chevies in Stock....so why not this?

Just my .02.......

[boostedf22c]

This car is really cool!!!

I wonder if I could race without my hardtop??