Finally,
the new FIA version of my Cobra is complete. What used to be
a USRRC version of my Unique Motorcars 289 with Guardsman Blue
and white stripes has now been rebuilt in Viking Blue. There
isn't a single part on this car that has not been either re-built,
re-painted, re-powdercoated, or replaced; it's brand new from
nose to tail. The rebuild took over 1 1/2 years to complete,
so this is like having a whole new car to play with.
The
main differences between the USRRC and the FIA versions were:
The
FIA had a full windshield while the USRRC car had a small windscreen.
Fuel tanks were larger on the FIA's. Almost all the FIA's had
trunk "Dimples". Versions before April 1964 did not
use them.
Because the FIA Cobras were used for endurance racing, small
number plate marker lights were used to illuminate the side
numbers.
Most FIA's were painted Viking blue, while the USRRC versions
were for the most part painted Guardsman Blue with white stripes
and raced only in the States. Many Comp. Cobras run by privateers
were painted a variety of colors. Fia' Cobras were to be street
legal cars with operating lights, while most USRRC cars were
not street legal cars. They were without fuel gauges, horns,
working lights, and speedometers. Most USRRC interiors were
bare aluminum.
Bob's E-mail