SPARKS, NV (Feb. 25) — Great spring like weather set the stage for this month’s second Sparks Cars & Coffee meet. The turn out was great and there some different types of vehicles present.
One of them was the Back to the Future Delorean. It’s fully tricked out and makes quite a scene when its owner drives it on the street.
While most vehicles at a Cars & Coffee meet are the 4-wheel type there are a few that bring the two-wheel type to the meet.
Taylor Hull brought his pride and joy to the meet. It’s a ’97 Soft Tail Heritage.
“It’s been dropped, added fishtails to it, custom wheels, custom paint and a custom headlight,” he said. “It’s my show bike.”
In the mix there were a bunch of Corvettes, Mustangs and other types of cars. Finishes ranged from show type to a station wagon that looked painted by rust. There was a large group admiring all the cars at the meet.
In one of the lines was a 427 Shelby Cobra owned by Craig Shelby. Despite his last name he isn’t related to Caroll Shelby, who developed the original Cobras among other cars.
“This is a ’65 Superformance and it’s not a kit car. Superformance cars come completely built, rolling chassis except for motor and transmission. The customer orders what ever motor and transmission they want to put in the car.
He added that Superformance is the only company that has a license from Shelby America to build replica cars. Any of the other ones do not have that authorization.
The gearshift lever is in a different place, not straight up, in these cars. Apparently since the engine sat so far back and used a Mustang transmission it would have been impossible for the driver to shift it.
Well Carroll Shelby said that was easy to fix so the transmission is turned around. That’s why the shift lever is where it is in a Cobra.
“This has got a small block 427 Cobra in it. The engine was build by a company in North Carolina called Prestige Motorsports and this car runs about 600 horsepower, single 4-barrel carburetor and a solid roller camshaft.
“I’m the second owner of this car, it was originally sold in 2003 from a company called Dynamic Motorsports here in Reno, they were down on South Virginia Street. He was the original owner and I bought it from him at the time he was living in Seattle.”
Shelby explained the sale was negotiated through Hill Bank Motor Company, which is a retailer for Superformance. He knew someone in that company, who knew the owner so that person put the three of them together.
When he purchased the car there were several things that were original and in their original packages. This included the soft top, original Tonneau cover and the original side curtains. He added they’ve never been unfolded or put on the car
Next question of course is how it is to drive.
With a smile he said, “It’s a kick in the ass to drive.”
However once behind the wheel of such a high performance car he explained one needs to keep their mind focused on the task at hand.
“The thing you have to remember is that you have to respect the car because if you don’t you’re going to be in a lot of trouble. It will get away from you very, very quickly.
“And as soon as you learn to respect it and as soon as you learn how to drive it since it doesn’t have power steering you kind of have to muscle it around. You have to drive the car, it’s not just something you can get in and go putt around. That’s why they’re not really good in auto crossing with tight corners.”
Another challenge is fuel, or mixing fuel so the motor will respond.
“The engine that’s in it does not run well on 91 Octane gas, which you get out of a regular station pump. It also doesn’t run well in the winter time due to winter time gas in comparison to the summer time gas.”
He has to add a quart of race fuel for every 10 gallons of gas he puts in the car. It’s very expensive but has an octane rating well over 100.
He’s able to get it in quart bottles but he’s been told it will go stale if it sits too long. In fact some of it will settle so Shelby has to shake it up before adding it to the car’s fuel.
Asked about the attraction sports cars have he said, “Once you get the bug of sports cars or a particular car like a Corvette or a Cobra. Once you get it you can’t get rid of it. It’s very much like a drug.”
As usual a bit after 11 many start to leave so they can drive around and enjoy their cars.
OTHER RACING NEWS:
• When this article was posted Trucks and Tacos had not chosen a place for their Tuesday evening meeting. Please check their Face Book page for the location and remember it’s a 6:30 p.m. Tuesday start.
• This Friday, March 1, is when registration opens for the 2024 Virginia City Grand Prix. Being early can help getting a good starting position. For further information please check, www.vcgp.com. Good luck.
• In just a few weeks it will be time for Al Lockett’s Reno RV and Boat show. The show has about everything one could want for camping and the outdoors.
One part of the show is the Off-Road Motorsports Expo. Like to go 4X4 exploring or traveling, well several groups will be there and showing people what they can do in the great outdoors.
• Another newly announced event is the up coming Stadium GP that will he held in the Reno Rodeo area. Should be two full nights of racing.
• Davey’s American Racing is found on Face Book. His focus is on western oval tracks as well as national series.
He recently started his broadcasts so to check if they happen check Face Book around 6 p.m. Wednesday on Face Book.
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