I picked up a magazine at the grocery store last weekend (Muscle Car Review)
and one of the feature articles is 25 Fastest Fords. All of the data is
taken from original road tests from magazines like Sports Car Graphic back
when the cars were new. The fastest was the 70 Boss 429; weight 3480 lbs,
429 cubes, 370 hp, < mile in 12.30 at 112 mph. The second fastest was the
1962 Shelby Cobra 260; weight 2385, 260 cubes, 260 hp, < mile in 12.90 at
114. Number three was the 1966 Shelby Cobra 427; weight 2450, 427 cubes,
425 hp, < mile in 13.20 at 110 mph. The paragraph on the 260 powered Cobra
highlights the importance of power-to-weight ratios and that Shelby was able
to squeeze 1 hp per cubic inch out of the motor. Also noted that the test
vehicle had 3.54 rear end and skinny tires. Found an article on the Cobra
260 while surfing which said: The V8 Ford engines were derived from the
ones used in the Fairlane and Fairlane 500, but they were delivered to
Shelby in a somewhat 'tweaked' form. Breathing through a single Holley
Carburetor and fitted with 'hotter' cams, solid tappets and larger ports,
the V8 was good for around 260bhp. For competition use Shelby modified the
engine even further. With an increased compression ratio and breathing
through four twin-choke Webers figures of 335 bhp could be achieved, with
the engine revving up to 9000 rpm. Stunning performance was the result of
this very powerful engine, which is reflected by the acceleration and top
speed figures.
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