| |
Based on Shelby’s chassis, CSX2002, the second Cobra ever produced, Exoto extends its line to include this first racing Cobra in brilliant Rangoon Red. At Riverside in 1962, Bill Krause put this car on the track with nearly no engine modifications save for a change to a Spaulding Flamethrower ignition system and a slightly higher compression ratio. In its first start Krause chased the Corvettes as he learned the car’s nuances and gained confidence in the diminutive racer. By an hour’s end, however, he was more than comfortable in the car and had pulled out to a mile and a half lead. After serving strong notice of its arrival, a rear hub carrier broke sending the car packing. The future of the car, though, held a bright promise of things to come.
To date, this may be my favorite iteration of the AC Cobra 260 series. It just has the ‘look’ exactly right. It sits up pert and pretty on its working suspension, looking menacingly mean and aggressive from the front and sides and even properly British, with its AC Bristol roots, as it leaves you in the dust showing you nothing but taillights. There are so many facets of this model that will delight your sense of sight. Of course the paint is Exoto-flawless and yes, the details are all included in usual fashion. Photoetched parts include the front and rear Shelby emblem plates, cowl, door and rear deck fasteners, racing seat belt connections, wire wheels and valve stems straight from Heaven. The dash is perfectly replicated; the trunk has a nifty extending hinge and the spare is removable. There is every conceivable hose, line and wiring detail in the trunk, chassis and under the hood. The engine detail will bring tears to your eyes. You’ll almost swear that one of the genie’s wishes was granted and this is, indeed, your new 1:1.
The best Cobra going to date? Yeah, I really think so. Can Exoto possibly top their own performance here? Possibly, do you smell a 427 SC in the future? Who knows, but one can always dream.
(03/28/2003)
|
|
