Race - Jalopnik

posts about #race more →
AC Cobra Out-Drags Corvette ZR1
Best Motoring Races S2000, 135i, 370Z, Cayman S and 911
Top Gear To Recreate Italian Job, Drive Minis Through Belfast Sewers
View From The Pilot's Seat: 12 Hours Of Sebring Flyby
12 Hours Of Sebring: Epic Audi And Peugeot Lead-Changing Battle
Audi R15 TDI Wins 12 Hours Of Sebring
Google Earth Reveals Coolest Driveway Ever
Corvette-Engined Formula Le Mans LMP2 Racer Makes Angry Noises
Stunning Video Of Swedish-Style Track Day
Lewis Hamilton Races F1 Car Against Learjet

Your version of Internet Explorer is not supported. Please upgrade to the most recent version in order to view comments.

Dsmvwl Admin Promote to frontpage Approve user Ban user ×

Mobius
08/28/09

In reply to AC Cobra Out-Drags Corvette ZR1
For pure, back to basics driving pleasure, I bet the Cobra is unrivalled by modern supercars. But the Cobra is hardly a car you'd use when it's wet, when it's snowing, when you are going to IKEA, when you are going to work, when you want to waft on the highway, when you want to not die on a mountain road due to less than Stig driving skills, when it's hot, when...

You get the idea.
Reply

Mobius was starred Mobius was unstarred

Comrade Clockwork
08/27/09

In reply to AC Cobra Out-Drags Corvette ZR1
I don't see the problem. A lot of people build cars for cheap that could outdrag a ZR1, Enzo, Veyron...

When you don't care about things like a stereo or roof or coming back alive you can go as fast as you like.

Considering all the stuff this cobra is missing, it should have been even faster.
Reply

Mobius promoted this comment Comrade Clockwork was starred

BЯдΖǐL-ЯЄРΘЯΤЄЯ
08/27/09

In reply to AC Cobra Out-Drags Corvette ZR1
There was this certain guy, Anthony Colin Bruce Chapman, who could have explained this phenomenon.
Reply

Deartháir II
08/27/09

In reply to AC Cobra Out-Drags Corvette ZR1
Hey, kids, please go RTFA. The Cobra is not an old classic Cobra, it is a new version with the Corvette engine, Porsche suspension, etc. Okay, done? Now, if you'd like to continue making inane "Corvette rulez!" statements, go ahead.

/end rant.

I remember a few years back, they tried this with a Cobra and a Viper, first gen. The Cobra won, but then got disqualified because it didn't even have a fraction of the safety equipment required to be on the track.

Point is, it's going to be hard to beat an old Cobra. They didn't need to carry any of the stuff new cars do, so they are already lighter. A good replica gets lighter still. Throw a really good tuner into the works, and eventually not even a car as awesome as the Corvette has much of a chance.
Reply

Formerlythegreatestdriver promoted this comment Deartháir II was starred Deartháir II was unstarred

scroggzilla raids again
08/27/09

In reply to AC Cobra Out-Drags Corvette ZR1
On the otherhand, the ZR1 will stop and go around corners in an entertaining, but mostly non-threatening, fashion. The 427 Cobra will try really hard to kill you. And thus, balance is restored to the universe.
Reply

Deartháir II
08/27/09

@scroggs: You say "will try really hard to kill you" as if it's a bad thing...
Reply

something_unique_and_descriptive promoted this comment Deartháir II was starred Deartháir II was unstarred

SlowMo (actually, there's no E on my R)
08/27/09

@scroggs: I'm surprised by your response, it seems like you are thinking of this like an original, not a modern replica. The originals were diabolical, the modern replicas have had quite a bit of therapy to overcome their homicidal tendencies. The rest of the test drive makes it seem fairly docile. [www.autocar.co.uk]
Reply

scroggs promoted this comment Edited by SlowMo (actually, there's no E on my R) at 08/27/09 12:24 PM

scroggzilla raids again
08/27/09

@SlowMo (actually, there's no E on my R): See, this is where I get into trouble. The MkIV Cobras are, to my mind, not "real" Cobras. They're restomods. Better suspension, brakes, and steering with all of the 427 Cobra looks and none of the original 427 Cobra vices.

Real, or if you prefer, "period" AC/Shelby Cobras are potential lifetakers. And as much as I admire them, I wouldn't want one. Because I'd want to drive it...fast, it would in turn kill me, and then me and it's expensive mangled remains would be the subject of sport on this very site. And I ain't going out like that!
Reply

Flathead Smith
08/27/09

In reply to AC Cobra Out-Drags Corvette ZR1
There’s a guy that lives on Look Out Mountain that drives an actual 427 AC Ford Cobra as his daily driver into Chattanooga, weather permitting.
Reply

Edited by Flathead Smith at 08/27/09 11:42 AM Flathead Smith was starred Flathead Smith was unstarred

RandRace
08/27/09

@Flathead Smith: I bet Ochs Highway in a big Cobra is a blast! He should come out to play on The Suck late some Saturday night.
Reply

Flathead Smith promoted this comment RandRace was starred RandRace was unstarred

Flathead Smith
08/27/09

@RandRace: I imagine it’s nice ride up in a car like that.
Reply

Flathead Smith was starred Flathead Smith was unstarred

layabout
08/27/09

In reply to AC Cobra Out-Drags Corvette ZR1
The AC Cobra is just like a lot of the TVRs,you need a big of nuts to drive them on the limit,because it will kill you in the face
Reply

layabout was starred layabout was unstarred

pauljones
08/27/09

In reply to AC Cobra Out-Drags Corvette ZR1
I drove a replica 427 Cobra once, and it shall go down as the only time I have ever driven one. That thing scared the bejesus out of me. It was simultaneously more muscular than the governator on steroids and more willing to swap ends than Jenna Jameson.

On the bright side, I looked cool in it. Right up until I messed up the 4-3 downshift and went straight into first.

Never again. Ever.
Reply

pauljones was starred pauljones was unstarred

UglyDuckCar
08/27/09

@pauljones:
That is still an experience I'd love to have.

My dad's friend had the original cobra when it came out. He had to get rid of it because no matter where he took it, or even if it stayed at home, people were trying to steal it.
Reply

pauljones promoted this comment UglyDuckCar was starred UglyDuckCar was unstarred

FTGDWolverineEdition'09
08/27/09

@pauljones: "On the bright side, I looked cool in it. Right up until I messed up the 4-3 downshift and went straight into first. "

Did you wet yourself?
Reply

JeepyJayhawk
08/27/09

@pauljones: Yeah, that was kinda my feeling on it. 427 = Flaming death (albeit very fun).

I'll just build a mundane 289. Lots of fun, less death mixed in.
Reply

pauljones promoted this comment JeepyJayhawk was starred JeepyJayhawk was unstarred

pauljones
08/27/09

@Formerlythegreatestdriver: No, no. I hit my head on the steering wheel and nearly shit myself at the same time.

In my defense, those old four-speeds are imprecise and a bitch to shift, to say nothing of the clutch.
Reply

pauljones was starred pauljones was unstarred

Jo Schmo
08/27/09

In reply to AC Cobra Out-Drags Corvette ZR1
I bet a case of Brefass Scotch that Ru Paul could out-drag both of these without leaving the house.
Reply

layabout promoted this comment Jo Schmo was starred Jo Schmo was unstarred

FTGDWolverineEdition'09
08/27/09

@Jo Schmo: And Chuck Norris would feed Mr.Paul to the Cobra and out drag them both.
Reply

leavethegun-takethecannoli
08/27/09

In reply to AC Cobra Out-Drags Corvette ZR1
Hmmm. Neither one has saran-wrap lips. I don't understand. Oh- drag-racing.
Reply

CobraGuy
08/27/09

In reply to AC Cobra Out-Drags Corvette ZR1
hehehe....launch control is no match for a thousand pounds of weight
Reply

vwminispeedster, pronounded Si-trow-in promoted this comment CobraGuy was starred CobraGuy was unstarred

bmoreDLJ
08/27/09

In reply to AC Cobra Out-Drags Corvette ZR1
You can't out-drag anything if your car is stolen by a baddie!

The ZR1 has an anti-theft alarm and engine immobilizer...the Cobra...has no roof.
Reply

bmoreDLJ was starred bmoreDLJ was unstarred

jbownsabmw- Koopas Beware
08/27/09

In reply to AC Cobra Out-Drags Corvette ZR1
3352/638 = 5.25

(Assuming 427 engine)
~2300/425 = 5.41

In the hands of a skilled driver, I just don't see the big deal.
Reply

lilwillie
08/27/09

@jbownsabmw- Koopas Beware: Bingo. My brothers FFR can't beat my Camaro. Straight line he can't get me no matter what he does. Not enough experience with the T-5 and not enough torque to make up for it.

We are pretty much even, with some more time behind the wheel I think he could take me.
Reply

Edited by lilwillie at 08/27/09 11:45 AM lilwillie was starred lilwillie was unstarred

skaycog
08/27/09

In reply to AC Cobra Out-Drags Corvette ZR1
Now, this is what I'm talking about!
Reply

skaycog was starred skaycog was unstarred

Theimbellis
08/27/09

In reply to AC Cobra Out-Drags Corvette ZR1
Devil knows how slow Corvettes are compared to real supercars.
Reply

Theimbellis was starred Theimbellis was unstarred

Turbineguy - now with reheat!!
08/27/09

@Theimbellis: 638hp doesn't qualify for supercar status? I guess your supercar has a flux capacitor then?
The Cobra may have beat the Vette in that unofficial drag race, (no starter or timer?) but once they pass 100mph the Vette blows right by. Is it worth the extra $$? I'd rather have the Cobra.
Reply

vwminispeedster, pronounded Si-trow-in promoted this comment

vwminispeedster, pronounded Si-trow-in
08/27/09

@Turbineguy: Just ignore the troll. Replying to him only gives him more troll powers.
Reply

Turbineguy - now with reheat!!
08/27/09

@vwminispeedster, pronounded Si-trow-in: Crap. Didn't see it coming.
Reply

Theimbellis
08/27/09

@Turbineguy:

Have you ever raced a Corvette against a McLaren F1? I don't think so — the F1 surely will leave the Corvette in the dust by several seconds.
Reply

Theimbellis was starred Theimbellis was unstarred

Earlier threads | All threads | Show hidden threads | Show featured threads only | Start a new discussion

SUBSCRIBE TO Jalopnik

Login

Reset Password

Register

Submit Your Comment