2004 Ford Shelby Cobra Concept
Blue Oval Living Legends Continue
Not to be out-done by Chevrolet or Chrysler, Ford has secretly packed a secret weapon into their presentation at this years North American International Auto Show in Detroit, promising to boast the same visual drive and awesome presence once associated with ultimate performance the world over.
The current crown of Fords lineup the recently introduced GT, a 500-hp V10 powered road-going racer of the first order. For those of us less well-heeled the all-new 2005 Mustang is also pretty enticing. But what blue oval retrospective sports car lineup would truly be complete without a celebration of the original Ferrari fighting Shelby Cobra?
Ford has created just that, a modern interpretation of that now legendary racer dubbed the Shelby Cobra Concept, completing a trio of high-performance automobiles as part of the domestic brands Year of the Car.
The mission of the re-born Cobra is simple: to provide the greatest amount of performance while sticking as closely as possible to all that made the original 1960s car as legendary as it is.
The original Shelby Cobra borrowed its slightly modified alloy body from Britains AC Ace. Ford starts from scratch with the new Shelby Cobra Concept, however, incorporating the best that Ford has to offer.
Whats the best they have to offer? Well right now its the GT, exactly where the engineers went to source the automakers optimal chassis architecture. While the engine mountings needed to be switched from end to end, the Cobra is based on the new supercars space frame and suspension components. Its more than just a hack-job quickly assembled to wow the auto show crowds though. It actually runs, and runs very fast.
The engine has been mounted in a front-midship position and the transmission in back to provide ideal weight distribution. The front-midship concept is nothing new, and has been proven by the Nissan 350Z/Infiniti G35/FX, while the rear-mounted transmission by Chevrolets Corvette. At all four corners, double wishbones with aluminum control arms manage road imperfections. Thick stabilizer bars cut back on sway ensuring roll is kept to a minimum. Though it would have been enough for show goers to thrill at the cars straight line performance, Ford wanted to let the public know that its hot rods can take to the curves too.
At 155 inches long, the Cobra concept is actually rather short. Its about 5 feet shorter than the GT for instance. To put it into better perspective for the majority of readers that havent seen the GT up close and personal, its actually just a hair shorter than Mazdas Miata. Really! But despite its length, the Cobra concept utilizes a 100-inch wheelbase ensuring stability. But dont make the mistake of passing this Shelby by as a junior roadster - its width spans 175 inches while it features a 60.6 inch track. Thats a wider track than the entire width of the Miata.
Nevertheless, these dimensions share little in common with either the GT or the original Cobra. Power to weight ratio is what the Cobra was all about. With that in mind Ford capped the weight of the project at just below 3,086 pounds, not as light as the old 60s car but remember theres that other side of the equation to factor in.
The balancing factor would be power! Under the bulged and ventilated hood lies the second most powerful engine to be displayed at the Detroit show. Hard-core Shelby fans are likely to wail and complain about the engine configuration though, as its neither 427 cubic inches nor a V8. Ford has stepped up to the plate going further than they have possibly ever imagined by cramming a 6.4 liter V10 between the front fenders. The dual overhead camshaft forty valve engine puts out a whopping 605 horsepower and 501 lb-ft of torque. Whats more astonishing is that Ford managed to do this without artificial aspiration, so theres no supercharger or turbo forcing air in or sucking waste out. Maximum torque, which alone ought to be enough to seriously show up highly modified tractors at pulling competitions, is developed at 5,500 rpm. Thats quite a bit more power and torque than the original, making up for the new cars weight gain substantially. The clean engine bay has been finished in aluminum, matching the block and cylinder heads. Its also decorated with a sliding plate throttle.
Although the Shelby Cobra Concept has the power and the torque to move mountains, it wouldnt matter if it couldnt be put to the ground. Ford has ensured that via a tough and capable Ricardo 6-speed manual gearbox. Its a traditional manual too, with a clutch pedal and no paddles or hydraulic assistances.
The Cobra concept rides on 18-inch lightweight alloy wheels that are mounted on super-sticky 275/40ZR racecar rubber up front, and gigantic drag-slick-like 345/35ZR rubber in back. The traction afforded combines with the aforementioned power to weight ratio to sling-shot Fords roadster concept to 60 mph in under four seconds. Managing such power through the just rear wheels is jaw-dropping, but its the top speed which really warps the imagination. Im not sure if Ford is joking, or just trying to take the title of most ridiculous claim, but the automaker nonetheless predicts a theoretical top speed of 267 mph - a full 19 mph over that of Chryslers supercar ME412. The Cobras probable barn-door coefficient of drag and the laws of thermodynamics will no doubt dictate a less dramatic speed.
Surprisingly, the Cobra concept development took just five months from start to finished product, proving Fords capabilities and dedicated talent. The Advanced Product Creation team, described as "an in-house think-tank cum skunkworks," also brought the GT supercar from show-stopper concept vehicle to a road-going and production ready machine in just fifteen months. Its also important to note that this isnt just a mockup or scale model. The Cobra concept is fully capable of at-the-limit driving. Dodge Viper, Chevrolet Corvette, or any other high-performance car, watch your back cause Ford is coming.
Sure to catch the eye of the public, the Shelby Cobra concept comes across as a short, stout, bad-to-the-bone vehicle. Ford has kept to the theme of original designs cues true to form, but the clean and simple design is advanced to todays modern style. Thus, similar features such as the bulging, curving hood and fenders, vertical-mount bumpers and bubbled rear end have been kept intact. Other minor details such as the tiny circular taillights, as well as the metal rollover hoops, also made the transition.
The concepts profile has been modernized, however, featuring the same lengthy hood, short rear decklid layout as a traditional sports car such as Jaguars E-Type. The once vertical front end with classic circular headlights now features tapered headlamp clusters behind clear lenses. Short overhangs enhance the Shelby Cobra concepts aggressive stance. Side windows and a roof just arent part of the package. Aside from the gaping grille, hood-mounted intake and a simple slat on the cars front fender, there isnt much by the way of ventilation for the engine.
No such problem exists when inside though. While sun-tanners might find themselves with windburn at top speed, all-weather drivers had better be prepared to either never let up on the throttle or get wet. No matter what the exterior conditions, occupants will be well taken care of. Keeping with the theme of a traditional 60s roadster, Ford has kept the Cobras interior clean, simple and very fashionable.
The short-diameter retro-style steering wheel with blue accents will give drivers something substantial to hold onto, while a short-throw shifter with a one-piece aluminum knob is fitted to a rubber boot mounted high on the carbon-fiber weave transmission tunnel. All instrumentation is flush-mounted into the aluminum dashboard. Three-quarter-shaped dials display engine speed, vehicle speed, oil pressure, fuel and others, the retro theme continuing with toggle switches and a big red starter button.
Most roofless, windowless cars dont deliver many creature comforts, a pattern the Shelby Cobra concept perpetuates. Theres no radio, or any sort of sound system, with the engine note singing all the tunes any enthusiast should ever want to enjoy.
With such small dimensions and an aft-mounted engine it would be reasonable to think that the Cobra concept is cramped for taller drivers. In reality, wise packaging has allowed for exceptional legroom. Ford claims that it beats out the Crown Victoria in comfort, proving that either the brand needs to update its Crown Vic or that it is possible to create a car that combines amazing performance with comfort.
In the end Fords Shelby Cobra Concept is yet another successful modern-day interpretation of a legendary sports car. The companys tight-knit team has set out and accomplished exactly what the original has done - provide top-level performance by incorporating gobs of cubic inches. Weight and overall dimensions have also played a large role in the resulting product, making it one of the smallest supercars ever. Modern technology, such as the use of the GTs suspension and chassis, as well as the downforce generating rear diffuser, help give the concept an up-to-date ranking.
I think that its not only worthy of its silver and white racing stripe paintjob, but of the Shelby Cobra name. But what I think is of little merit compared to the man who stands behind that name every day, Carroll Shelby himself. He not only worked side by side with Fords skunkworks engineering team, but used his legendary driving skills to test the finished product. Shelby was on hand to debut the concept in Detroit as well, stating that this project was one of the most satisfying in his entire career.
If Ford is ever to produce such a vehicle, all supercar owners had better watch their rearview mirrors. With the GT now on the road, no project is too difficult or dream too big for the blue oval brand to make into a reality. Heres hoping.