Superformance Slab Side compared to FIA Cobra | Downforce Motorsports

[@jimjones-pz1tt]

Jesus Christ, Shelby did not bring that car "over from Bristol." He started with an AC Cars Ace from Thames Ditton, Surrey. The Ace was originally equipped with a Bristol 6 cylinder engine. When Shelby showed up, AC Cars had lost Bristol as an engine supplier.

[@JerryM-p2v]

That was when he went to ford to get V8 engines? The First cars were powered with 292 truck engines I believe?

[@johnbecker70]

A couple of observations… (And not meant to take away from your videos, which I enjoy.) I suppose you could refer to the small block Cobra as a “Bristol” car (as you did), but the Bristol in the AC was about the motor and not the styling. In the same way you could call it a “Zephyr”, which would be more appropriate (later AC styling). AC Ace, however, would be the correct reference when it comes to styling. Lastly, the “slab side” term was never used by Cobra owners prior to that term being used by a mid-90’s fiberglass Cobra kit car manufacturer to differentiate between their big block Cobra models from their small block offerings. Until that time it was by motor (in cid) or by the large and small block terminology. Although my original Cobra is not an FIA car, it was raced in period and had the fender lips pounded out by Shelby to accommodate the larger (and wider) race tires. Hence, it’s not an FIA style or a slab side (fiberglass kit car term) in design. Original Cobra owners don’t use the slab side term. That said, for a fiberglass small block street car replica, I guess that term meets the needs to differentiate.

[@downforce-motorsports]

The slabside designation is definitely just a way to identify it by "looks" as you are correct it's technically a 289 car. Your non-FIA 289 car sounds absolutely incredible btw, how cool to have a car with fenders modded by Shelby to race it!

[@johnbecker70]

@@downforce-motorsports Agree. And I was lucky enough to acquire my car before Cobra prices went ballistic. For those of us with Cobras, well deserved appreciation. They’re a ball and a good friend of mine had a Superformance. Beautiful car.

[@keithhogan3199]

Awesome video thanks

[@bbb462cid]

Love it. But at Riverside, why would Shelby be using an FIA car? Wouldn't he be running USRRC? I know FIA was worldwide.

[@jamesnelson7415]

In the US the USRRC cars were developed and raced. The FIA cars were built specifically to race in Europe. The primary differences, IIRC, were the addition of a non-working speedometer and the luggage bumps in the FIA cars. Of course, the FIA cars are the most famous, as they won the FIA world championship in 1965.

[@bbb462cid]

@@jamesnelson7415 yes, I know what the "US" in USRRC stands for lol. The speedos worked, they were just on the passenger side for FIA

[@downforce-motorsports]

The fia car was the option with the racer parts on it, basically an unfitted mk2 back in the day

[@bbb462cid]

@@downforce-motorsports so I guess the next question is: could Shelby have used an FIA car to pass tech at a USRRC race at Riverside? I suppose he could have....and he would have no reservations about using whatever car he could lay his hands on.

[@williamweiss6128]

I need both...

[@michaelroberts1597]

Well done guys 👏👏

[@nhjohn1275]

I wish you had shown the difference in the doors

[@downforce-motorsports]

we can do that in the next video about them

[@geedubb-q1u]

Slab Side every day of the week.

[@downforce-motorsports]

Sometimes the classics are all you need or want!

[@itsruf1]

C.S. had vision. He guessed mid-life guys would try kit cars, hence just 1 rool bar. No mature woman would get in one. No need for 2. Nor sit on Ebay seats from 90's tuner cars.

[@downforce-motorsports]

The single roll bar is purpose build for the way these cars were raced, with a single driver. The doubles look weird to us. Also yes, keep the ebay seats out of our cars please!

[@jimjones-pz1tt]

A front transverse leaf springs AND coil over Konis ON ALL FOUR CORNERS???? No, the Superformance 289s have front and rear transverse leaf springs.

[@toddd7444]

thats great what motor wheelchair larry

[@downforce-motorsports]

Either car would be a small block recipient. Anything from a 289 to a stroker SBF, always built to the buyer's taste by any of the awesome engine builders we work with.

[@toddd7444]

289 is getting rare these days nice car i like the wire wheels dont see that anymore thanks for your reply hugs wheelchair larry@@downforce-motorsports