The Shelby Cobra is one of the most iconic cars ever produced, and is certainly the most copied and reproduced car of all time. And the month of January will bring some lucky person the rare opportunity to own the prototype on which all those 427 Cobras were based. Interested parties will need to attend RM's Automobiles of Arizona event at the Biltmore Resort and Spa in Phoenix on January 22. This prototype is no trailer queen, it actually has an extensive race history. There is no official estimate on what the final price will look like, but you can bet it will be well into seven figures. Check out the Press Release below for more details. PRESS RELEASE:
Blenheim, ON (December 4, 2009) − The one-of-a-kind 1964 Shelby Cobra 427 Prototype s/n CSX 2196, nicknamed "The Flip-top" for its unique clam shell design, is set to cross the block at RM's Automobiles of Arizona event at the Biltmore Resort and Spa in Phoenix on January 22.
Its design, build, development and racing were spearheaded by legendary racing driver Ken Miles and after months of testing and modifications, 2196 became the only prototype produced for the famed 427 Cobras that followed. It was raced in period at Riverside, Sebring and Nassau.
Over the years, 2196 has competed in many of the world's historic races including Laguna Seca, Monterey Historics and Goodwood Festival of Speed. Today, the well-documented Flip-top sports its original livery of Guardman Blue with white stripes and black interior, and is unquestionably one of the most desirable Shelby Cobras ever built. (Estimate: Available upon request)
"The 2010 Arizona auction presents one of RM's most diverse line-ups of automobiles ever offered at the luxurious Biltmore Resort & Spa, ranging from historically significant Shelby Cobras to an unprecedented selection of important concept cars," said Ian Kelleher, President and Chief Operating Officer, RM Auctions. "Every facet of collector cars is represented at this year's event with the schedule being extended to two days for a British-themed Thursday evening sale."
With the Dodge Viper getting ready to take a two year hiatus, Dodge promised to have some special models coming out to tide folks over in the meantime. One such model is the ACR-X.
Dodge and it's SRT group created this track day beast to compete in the SCCA and NASA Viper Racing League. Sporting a price tag of $110,000, it bests the standard ACR Viper by putting out a stout 640hp.
The suspension has also been further tuned to perfection, and weight is down by 160 pounds over the "stock" version. Some further aerodynamic enhancements and other racing goodies help further the cause.
Production begins this spring, with the Dodge Viper Spec series kicking off in July of 2010.
PRESS RELEASE
Dodge Targets Road Racing Enthusiasts With 2010 Viper SRT10 ACR-X
Turn-key, spec-series racer aimed at continuing Dodge Viper's storied racing history Dodge and Street and Racing Technology (SRT) team combine best performance attributes of Viper ACR with Viper Competition Coupe Latest special-edition Viper ACR offers improved on-track performance and safety Dodge Viper Cup spec series will debut in July 2010 Orlando, Fla., Dec 10, 2009 - Dodge today pulled the cover off the newest special-edition model of the 2010 Viper SRT10 lineup. The Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR-X is a turn-key, non-street legal race car that is slated to make its on-track debut in the summer of 2010.
"The Dodge Viper ACR-X takes the performance attributes of Viper to an even higher level for a wide range of drivers starting with the grassroots racer all the way up to the professional," said Ralph Gilles, President and CEO, Dodge Brand. "This project is a result of many years of performance engineering expertise from our SRT team, combined with the passion and dedication of Viper Nation, to keep the Viper racing tradition going strong on tracks around the country and the world."
Combining the best performance attributes of the record-setting, street-legal Dodge Viper ACR (American Club Racer) and the safety equipment of championship-winning Viper Competition Coupe, the Viper ACR-X is powered by the SRT-developed 8.4-liter V10, equipped with factory headers and a low-restriction exhaust system, that produces 640 horsepower (40 more than production model).
The suspension also is tuned and upgraded specifically for on-track usage, while the weight is lightened by a full 160 pounds (versus the standard production Viper) to take on even the most challenging road course. Additional aerodynamic upgrades improve downforce, while enhancing stability and significantly improving grip in high-speed cornering.
Similar to the Dodge Viper Competition Coupe, the Viper ACR-X contains factory-installed safety equipment such as a factory-designed roll cage, fuel cell and race seat. Additional racing components are added to meet the significant durability and reliability requirements for on-track competition.
In what will be the final year of production for the current generation Viper, the ACR-X is the third limited, special-edition model to be introduced by Dodge. ""We're going to make 2010 the most exciting year for Viper yet with specially developed cars for the street and the track," added Gilles. "The ACR-X is targeted at road-racing enthusiasts who want to successfully compete in our ultimate American sports car."
Last month, the SRT team used a testing session at Laguna Seca raceway to shake down the Viper ACR-X for the first time. Behind the wheel was professional driver Kuno Wittmer from the SCCA Pro Racing SPEED World Challenge Touring Car Championship series, who was able to run consistent 1:31.00 lap times around the 2.238-mile, 11-turn course. Wittmer's lap times were more than 3 seconds faster than the street-legal Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR that holds the production car track record at Laguna Seca raceway.
"The Dodge Viper ACR-X is incredible," said Wittmer. "After a short warm up, I was running lap times as quick as exotic GT race cars. I was blown away by the power and acceleration, and even more surprised at how the ACR-X navigated the challenging Laguna Seca corners and how friendly it was to drive at the limit.
"All aspects of the car work together perfectly to plant all that horsepower and torque without issue," Wittmer added. "This will be a great package for someone coming out of grassroots racing with a desire to step-up to GT level competition. Dodge nailed it with this one!"
The Viper SRT10 ACR-X is designed to compete in the Viper Racing League, Sports Car Club of America and National Auto Sport Association events.
Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR-X will be approximately $110,000. Production is slated to begin in Spring 2010.
For more information on the Dodge Viper ACR-X, call Viper Race Headquarters at (888) 960-3333 or visit www.viperheadquarters.com
Dodge Viper Cup:
The Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR-X will make its on-track debut in July 2010 in a newly developed spec series called the Dodge Viper Cup, which will be sanctioned by the existing Viper Racing League. Each vehicle in the new series must be the new Viper ACR-X.
Two races per weekend for five weekends will make up the 10-race 2010 Dodge Viper Cup schedule which includes July 9-11 at Virginia International Raceway; August 14-15 at Hallett Raceway; September 11-12 at Pocono Raceway; October 1-3 at Miller Motorsports Park and October 22-24 at Daytona International Speedway.
A contingency program sponsored by Dodge Motorsports and Mopar will pay out more than $200,000 during 2010. Payouts for each race are in cash and Mopar vouchers come as credit toward purchase of Mopar parts and accessories.
Additional cash awards will be made to the top-3 finishers in the Dodge Viper Cup. The 2010 champion will win $25,000, second-place will receive $10,000 and third-place will pay $5,000.
Viper Racing Heritage:
The Dodge Viper has enjoyed a successful racing heritage that began in 1996 with the original Viper racing entry, the GTS-R, which earned five international GT championships and the 1997-1999 FIA GT championships. It also posted an amazing overall win at the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona in 1999 – the first for a production-based American car.
The Dodge Viper Competition Coupe, introduced in 2003, delivered the next chapter with its coupe-shaped carbon/Kevlar body and a track-ready chassis, based on the Dodge Viper SRT10. The Viper Competition Coupe has continued the on-track prowess by capturing the 2004 SCCA Speed World Challenge GT title, championships in Formula D Drifting series in 2004 and 2006 and the British GT Championship in 2007 and 2008.
viperheadquarters.com:
Dodge has created a new website designed to showcase the Dodge Viper SRT10 both on the street and on the track. Check out the new online home for all things Viper at www.viperheadquarters.com
Viper Racing League:
The Viper Racing League is one race series within the group of three (including Challenge Series and Driving School) sanctioned by Viper Days. The series has 11-weekend events scheduled for the 2010 season at some of the country's most prestigious race tracks. For more information including the 2010 race schedule, visit www.viperdays.com
Nothing says outrageous American performance quite like a Cobra, whether it be real or replica. This is nothing more primal, loud, and in your face with the possible exception of an all out race car. Most are not even meant to turn corners, just go brutally fast in a straight line. And then came the CB/1 Cobra Replica. Powered by a twin turbo Ford 385 V8, it produces an astounding 650 hp and 640 lb-ft of torque. All that power is routed through a Porsche 930 5 speed transaxle and the car weights a mere 2600 pounds. That's a good enough power to weight ratio to get you a 2.85 second 0-60 run and a quarter mile time of 10.5 seconds at 135mph. And unlike most Cobras, this one will pull 1.15 g's on the skidpad. Press Release
The CB/1 represents the engineered blending of modern automotive and racing technology with one of the all time high performance legends, the venerable 427 Cobra. The ultimate performance version of this classic powered by a twin turbocharged, 385 cubic inch V8, delivering a track tearing 650 horsepower and 640 lb-ft of torque. Meld this brutal power with a race designed chassis and modern suspension components for precise control, then add an ergonomically corrected cockpit and you have the most potent, most useable, most enjoyable evolution of the 427 Cobra.
The CB/1 is based on a newly designed platform, engineered specifically for the performance and usability requirements of this vehicle. No cut corners, no secondhand components, no compromises. This vehicle is engineered from a clean sheet of paper to yield unparalleled performance. Modern control, power and driveability all tucked under one of the most beautifully forceful shapes in automotive design.
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