1965 SHELBY COBRA
I've always wanted to drive this car, so after looking for some places to rent it, including an hour or so on a racetrack, we found this on Turo (crazy). "David" walked us through the car, starting it, seat belts, trunk, and heated seats, which were really appreciated. There really weren't any other other "creature comforts" to speak of. Just a powerful engine, wheels and a basic cockpit to manage it. I was a little surprised how calm he was about renting out this "beast". When we first picked up the car outside of the strip, I lightly touched the gas and the back-end lost control but we pulled it back in again. Luckily we were on a private road. We now knew our limit. I started out in second gear at the beginning because first gear was hard to control.
We had to give Sherry and JT a ride!
I had to have a plan for picking up Sherry and JT. Where do I park? Will the valet take care of the car?
We pulled into the Bellagio valet where the valet was about to give me my ticket and take the car. I asked him if he's comfortable driving the car. He asked, "Is there something I should know?". I replied, "It wouldn't be a good idea to use first gear in this area". He replied that he's not comfortable driving it and he'll walk me to the valet parking for a prime parking spot. There is nothing like driving this car into a parking lot with the sound of the engine reverberating throughout and everyone watching me back in the car to the space. It's a rush.
We just didn't know if JT would fit...it's a tiny car with a lot of power, but JT was determined. That man could've squeezed into a 4' x 4' size box that day. He was not gonna let this go without a ride. We didn't know if Sherry would be up for it...JT said, "She's gonna LOVE it". JT went first. We took a short ride around the strip and down a sketchy neighborhood to turn around. I don't think JT minded that we went further than expected. Sherry was all for it and was smiling the entire time. After that, Haunani and I drove out to Red Rock.
Everything from getting in the car, putting on the four-point harness, turning around, parking and simply driving is a process.
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Over 400 HP (302 big block Ford engine) on a super light body. 2,100 lbs
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Minimal weight on the rear wheels.
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Long, hard to press clutch travel.
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Brakes are spongy and really take a double pump to stop.
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Gas pedal never takes more than thee lightest touch…how do I know this?…
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Clutch, brake and gas are setup racing style, very close together…that’s why car racers wear special racing shoes so your feet don’t get caught up…how do I know this?…
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Do not get distracted by all of the waving you get from strangers. 👋
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You CANNOT drive this car with one hand the whole time. This car does not have any creature comforts for braking and steering. You feel every bump and uneven surface in the road, and if you’re not holding on…well, let’s say mistakes are not forgiven and it punishes fools.
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About 100 original Cobras, going for about a million each. This is a replica, worth about $65K.






















