<< Prev Page 2 of 3 Next >> Upon arrival, the Coopers were completely stripped and vital chassis and suspension components were re-welded to ensure they were up to the task. Once the cars were put back together, they were fitted with the familiar small-block Ford V8 that also powered Shelby's Cobras. Breathing through four Weber carburettors, it produced around 370 - 390 bhp. The engine was mated to the Colotti five-speed gearbox usually fitted to the Coopers or the more affordable Huffaker four-speed transaxle.
During the first test at Riverside, Dave MacDonald immediately broke the lap record.Still unpainted, the two cars debuted at Kent, Washington. Al Holbert set the fastest lap time before both retired with overheating issues. There were no such issues for MacDonald at the all important Los Angeles Times GP at Riverside. The cars were now known as King Cobras and sported a lovely blue paint-scheme. MacDonald won by a lap from Roger Penske in another Cooper. Holbert's car overheated once again.
MacDonald won again at Laguna Seca after Holbert suffered another mechanical failure, this time caused by an earlier accident. The entire Shelby team had a miserable time at the Nassau season finale with the King Cobras retiring early in their race and the Cobras being thoroughly outclassed. The answer for the latter was already in the works in the form of a brand new Coupe body but this also had an effect on the King Cobra development program for which little resources were available. << Prev Page 2 of 3 Next >>
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Upon arrival, the Coopers were completely stripped and vital chassis and suspension components were re-welded to ensure they were up to the task. Once the cars were put back together, they were fitted with the familiar small-block Ford V8 that also powered Shelby's Cobras. Breathing through four Weber carburettors, it produced around 370 - 390 bhp. The engine was mated to the Colotti five-speed gearbox usually fitted to the Coopers or the more affordable Huffaker four-speed transaxle.