Book Review: Shelby Cobra Fifty Years... incredibly well done book

the inside cover shot is terrific, and that is the way the rest of the book carries on, it's terrific.

The author, Colin Comer, is an enthusiast, researcher, racer, and owner of a couple Cobras, perhaps sequentially and not simultaneously... but I point out that this author is not just a research book writer. His basic bio and reason for writing comprise the preface pages. His website: http://www.colinsclassicauto.com/

Starting with the origins of Carroll Shelby's drive and ambition to make a sports car, http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2009/05/possibly-earliest-shelby-sports-sars.html for the ads for his sprts car dealership mentioned in the book, the where and how fall into place through the first chapter, which though focusing on Carroll, aslo spotlights Ed Hugus, race car driver, and thoroughly partnering with Carroll from the beginning as the first Cobra dealership, and used his "Spot" at LeMans to get a Cobra into the race. Could anyone be more helpful to a startup sportscar maker?
Phil Remington also gets a spotlight http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2011/07/phil-remington-last-of-soup-to-nuts.html

In the book a passing mention is made of Carroll's most famous personal Cobras, the dual supercharged 427 http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2007/01/carroll-shelbys-personal-cobra-sells.html

Chapter 2 gets thoroughly into the early racing, drivers, and events.

As you can see by the pages I've used here, the book averages 3 to 4 photos per page... I love that.
 I thought I knew a good amount about Cobras, http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/search/label/Cobra but with the connections, collectors, experts, drivers and owners the author learned from, he has linberally stuffed twice as much info I've never seen before into this book throughout the article and captions as I expected. It's a treasure of knowledge... simply astonishing. If you can only recollect all you'll learn from this book you'd be able to converse with any Cobra enthusiast

For example, you're likely already familiar with the CSX numbering, and various Cobra types, but I learned of the CS, COX, and COS Cobras for the first time. You see, CSX doesn't even come close to being what I thought it stood for, I thought it was Carroll Shelby Experimental. What a good guess! But it really is C for 3rd series Ace manufacturing, S is for Shelby (the Ace customer) and X is for Export.

I brought that up to show there is always more to learn, and to help with explaining CS were Cobras that weren't exported out of England, And COB and X were CObra Britain and CObra eXport.

This will help to explain the the #3 Cobra in the above right hand photo was the CS2131 and it's sister CS2142 that raced at the 1963 LeMans were not export Cobras

Awesome artgallery photos like the above are all though the book

It's wonderful how many car club members photos from car shows are in to book too

Like I was saying about the amount of information I learned for the first time, were these two coachbuilt customs, the Bordinat Cobras. Above CSX3001 was a bare chassis that went to Detroit Styling, and named the XD Cobra by Ford, the body was a new vacuum-formed plastic material from US Royal. Aint't that amazing? I've never run across any mention of these before! They disappeared into the storage warehouses of the Detoit Historical Museum http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2011/02/i-didnt-know-that-detroit-historical.html in the 1960's, and were found by 30plus year Ford employee and Cobra enthusiast Jeff Burgy. Below is the red CSX2008 called Cougar II by Ford and shown at the 1964 New York Worlds Fair http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/search/label/1964%20Worlds%20Fair

you'll learn about the Dragonsnake Cobras, like the yellow one above (the only factory yellow Cobra) now owned by collector and museum owner Steven Juliano http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2008/11/steven-juliano-collection-im-betting.html

A gallery of the above http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2011/12/cobra-dragonsnake-at-sema.html

A gallery of El Cid: http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2010/02/el-cid-one-of-few-shelby-cobra.html

This book is so damn good, and shows how incredible much info the author knows and shares with the readers, he has many pages about the DragonSnakes (8 made) and photos of at least 6, CSX2019 (Elvis http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/search/label/Elvis used it in a movie then it went back to Shelby American to become the 1st factory DragonSnake), CSX2427 the yellow one, CSX2472 that never did drag race, it was used by it's owner as a street car, then the 2nd owner autocrossed and road raced it, CSX2093, CSX2357, and El Cid CSX2248. The Motion "Kng Cobra" CSX3159 may or may not be an official DragonSnake

for a photo of another Motion built up DragginSnake http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2010/11/great-heavens-dragginsnake.html and   http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/search/label/1964%20Worlds%20Fair 

There is a chapter on the Corvette vs Cobra competition, chapter 4

For photos of Don and the number 89  http://justacargal-s.blogspot.com/2011/10/coronado-speedfest-pit-personal.html CSX2473 is the #89, I think Don said it was the most winningest, or most raced Cobra

The above image is to show the CSX2001, collector Bruce Meyer, http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2008/12/bruce-meyer-car-guy-preserver-of.html and I wanted to point out the cool little race car stripe/page number... that is a nice touch, as well as the below chapter numbering racing stripes. That is a damn fine touch

Chapter 5 gets in depth about Cobra collectors and clubs

For some great Castrol ads with the Daytona Coupes: http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2010/01/castrol-ads-celebrating-world.html  

For ads about accessories and engine parts: http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2009/07/shelby-parts-and-accessories.html and http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2009/07/it-was-long-ago-but-you-could-build.html

and http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2009/07/carroll-shelby-advertising-youve-never.html and the earliest Cobra advertisements http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2009/05/early-cobra-advertising.html

Chapter 6 has a hell of a good look at the wide variety of memorabilia, brochures, handouts, and merchandising Carroll used for advertising. Below is the 1963 "Snakeskin" dealer kit

I just bust out laughing when I tell people about the "Pit Stop Deoderant" that I've posted about here before,  http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2010/01/1967-shelby-advertising-of-pit-stop_19.html but I've never seen a can of it before.... Colin, you really nailed it! Great find!

In brief, there is so much to enjoy that I didn't know, I was looking for things I did know just to learn more.

by the numbers
7 chapters
129 pieces of paper between the covers, 256 sides

The form and layout are nice, great presentation, with high quality photos

Photos: 286 color images, 131 black and white.
Period ads, brochures, pamphlets, etc: 34

The only things that might make this book better would be if the author wasted many more years of research talking to every car enthusiast to pick their brains and made this the complete encyclopedia of Cobra knowledge. I'm happier reading this book and enjoying the photos to want him to have taken more time making it.

The few things that I know of not in this book are posted here on my blog, and if you want the extraneous Cobra info I have, and the extra pictures, here you are:
http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2011/10/not-many-cars-are-shelby-cobra-daytona.html CSX2465 is certified by Carroll Shelby himself to be a real Daytona Coupe but not mentioned in the book. Likewise http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2010/12/home-built-shelby-cobra-daytona-was.html CSX2130, the Willment Cobra Daytona, the AC Cobra prototype http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2008/03/prototype-ac-cobra.html
And the Shelby Record: http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2010/09/lp-that-will-get-record-player-out-of.html
the "Pit Stop Deoderant" that I've posted about here before,  http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2010/01/1967-shelby-advertising-of-pit-stop_19.html

CSX2451 the Mercer Cobra http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2011/12/mercer-cobra-may-be-ugly-enough-to.html probably doesn't deserve to be mentioned in the book due to its anti Cobra looks, and lack of usefulness as a sportscar

If I'd been the author I would have had a chapter on the first owners that kept their Cobras forever, like CSX2305, CSX2227, and CSX2006 http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2011/10/one-owner-1964-shelby-ac-cobra-289.html , six are supposed to be still with their original owners according to Cruisin Style Magazine http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2011/03/ac-cobra-trivia.html , and some coverage of the Daytona Coupes on Bonneville, and a chapter on the barnfind Cobras. Yes, of course you can just read the Tom Cotter books for those, but it's incredible info and would be a great addition to this book. I can understand leaving it out to keep on point of the focus on owners that love, drive, and race their Cobras, and not stuff them away for decades of neglect

Prices are around 27 dollars online: http://www.amazon.com/Shelby-Cobra-Fifty-Years-Colin/dp/0760340293/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1325441861&sr=1-1

Once you've enjoyed this book, you might also get a kick out of the Cobra Ferrari Wars http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2009/02/excerpted-photos-from-website-selling.html

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2012 Mitsubishi Montero

Mitsubishi presented the new edition of SUV, the 2012 Mitsubishi Montero. Montero is the unusual SUV that is truly relaxed existing in two planets. 2012 Mitsubishi Montero has some normal outside functions include: skid clothing for the four-wheel-drive move case, 16-inch aluminum tires, color-keyed grill, incorporated fog signals, and tow barbs, to name a few. Mitsubishi Montero’s inside beckon you to take a chair and enjoy what it gives you. Not only this, Montero is loaded with many innovative functions like multiple method ABS, AWC, Vacation Management, EBD, Air luggage, etc.

New for this year, there are four different New Mitsubishi Montero Game designs – the Montero Game ES, Montero Game LS, Montero Game XLS, and the Montero Game Restricted. To have a look at out our full 2012 Mitsubishi Montero Game evaluation, or to have a look at Montero is the unusual SUV that's truly relaxed existing in two planets. For additional Mitsubishi Montero facts, information on Montero components, or to access the newest Montero images, keep your technique indicated right here, as we upgrade our websites every month.

At the heart of every 2012 Mitsubishi Montero is one of the hardest applications on the street these days. Both the barebones Montero XLS design and the more innovative Montero Restricted design come normal with 3.8-liter, cast-iron, SOHC, 24-valve V-6 applications that generate 215 power at 5,500 rpm and generate 248 pounds-per-foot of twisting at 3,250 rpm. That, however, is just the starting.

Study any latest 2012 "Mitsubishi Montero" evaluation and you'll see experts also cooing about the Montero indication - a Sportronic constant switch 5-speed automated with Flexible Shift Management. The car provides entrance impartial increase wishbone revocation with coils rises, and back impartial multi-link revocation with coils rises as well. Don't believe us? Then have a look at out some of our 2012 Mitsubishi Montero images these days.

Mitsubishi has improved the Mitsubishi Montero 2012 athletics power car or SUV. Due to the release of the innovative engineering to the car market, the car upgradation process has obtained a new face lift. New perspective change has took place to take care of the inside components of Mitsubishi Montero SUV design.

It's hard to think about anything considering 4,600 weight as light on its toes. But with a unibody development providing it a low middle of severity, and specific, sensitive guiding, the Montero drifts like a butterfly over the challenging products. Other Mitsubishi Montero protection measures include: rack-and-pinion guiding, RISE unibody case, entrance and back crumple areas, Effective Trac generate program, MultiMode anti-lock stopping mechanism, and the Mitsubishi Effective Skid and Extender Management System. For more information about these functions, or to learn current 2012 Mitsubishi Montero components opinions, please look regularly. This car is an SUV that is quite popular in the last 2 years as well as the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque.

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2012 Honda Accord

The 2012 Honda Accord is not the latest mid-size automobile, it's due for a complete upgrade in another season or two. But the present edition is still one of the top alternatives in this training for inside place, appearance, trip relaxation, efficiency, and features--all with a sensible, reasonable, value-minded experience.

In the swarmed area of mid-size sedans, the New Honda Accord still controls to take a position out on the try. Whether you select the automobile or vehicle, four-cylinder or V-6, the Accord provides fulfilling overall efficiency and is among the better-handling automobiles in this training. Four-cylinder designs are gutsy enough, and very smooth; you won't need the V-6 unless you strategy to take some people or freight. But with it, such as the effective disturbance termination that top cuts get, the Accord seems more like a luxurious car at periods, and throughout the collection you'll discover sensitive guiding, good body management, and powerful braking system. Gas range has extensive been a energy for the Accord, too, but its results are cheaper than those of the new Hyundai Sonata.

Most customers will look for the Honda Accord inside structure rejuvenating when in comparison to challenges, at least from a range. Last season Honda offered a few of the handles a fresh look and feel; the Accord's rakish device section looks great, but the keeping the keys and handles sometimes seems as if it was done more for design than ergonomics.

Interior place is still a energy for the Honda Accord. While it's a mid-size automobile by most face, it enables as a huge car according to the EPA--and its inside really does experience big-car flexible for car owner and travelers. The entrance seating are relaxed and helpful, there's a lot of legroom in back, and the footwear is enormous.

The Honda Accord 2012  is just as well outfitted as any of its challenges, with one considerable red flag: It can be aggravating if you want some important technical functions, like Wireless hands-free, but don't want 'the operates.' While Honda has just for 2012 made a USB connection normal across the collection, you still can't get a manufacturer Wireless hands-free choice unless you phase up to the to-of-the-line EX-L, with leather and routing. The nav program has a big eight-inch display and now contains Zagat eating place scores, express identification, and a rear-view digicam program.

The 2012 Honda Accord is more pleasant to generate than most other mid-size sedans or coupes, even if its specifications aren't all that much different. Read also the article about the newly released Honda cars, the 2012 Honda Odyssey and 2012 Honda City.

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a quick run through the upstairs racecars was all I had before the Mullin Museum closed, I'll be back to get better photos

For a much better gallery, because she doesn't take as long to photograph each car, see Justacargal's galleries http://justacargal.blogspot.com/search/label/Mullin%20Museum

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2012 Honda City

The 2012 Honda City would definitely be tremendous because now it has a improved look. In the previously designs there was no appearance in the car. Sometimes the entrance fender was put to create it different and sometimes the back of the car was made so enormous that it checked a little interesting. The 2012 style is developed with a nice touching to your body of the car. Now People will not have any issues regarding the look and within of the all new Honda City.

The New Honda City will have a face lift to its style but this time the face lift probably won't be extravagant but it would give a sportier look to the car than the present style. The signature of the Honda City that is the honeycomb-mesh grill with the individual internet explorer slat would be there with some variations which would create this car look more fashionable and gorgeous. The front signals are broader than before with wonderful treasure like small signals on top. The taillights would get an LED procedure. The Honda City Interior would get modest changes too. It would have new furniture alternatives and newly designed program with automated beginning and clossing with just a touching. The dash and the dash components are very management. The cottage is peaceful enormous. It is so decorative and the completing is very outclass that you just do not want to indulge it by placing any junk content on it. The steering

Honda City wheel is included with leather and the handbrake is also very smartly developed. You can keep your body pose very comfortable while relaxing on the seating. They are extremely comfortable with enough place. The back seating are likewise comfortable and the freight area can put in a lot of baggage within.

The 2012 Honda City is operated with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder that would push a 180 power and 161 pound-feet of twisting. The twisting is the power that gets you shifting and the power is the power that keeps strength. So, in Honda City 2012, you are going to absolutely have a sleek and highly effective generate. It is highly effective. The website is very sensitive and has a great select up. It has an Automated Petrol Treatment. It has a five rate automated or stick shift. It gives a entrance rim generate. It has top rate of 175mph.

Honda City 2012 provides with an Anti-Lock Stopping System. It also provides you with an Automated Stopping program Force Submission so that you can generate properly and effortlessly. Its framework is very powerful which creates you experience secure within. It provides with the ability of seatbelts for all seating to protect you in situation of any fancy or collision.

While the 2007-2011 Honda City was not known for sensitive rate, but this new Honda City would have a very highly effective and sensitive rate. There would be decrease of express while generating on deafening roadways. The new 2012 Honda City would be recognized and beloved by all. It would definitely come up to be a finish loved ones car. Read also our article about the Ferrari California and Lamborghini Murcielago.

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