THE name Carroll Shelby is largely recognisable to anyone with an interest in high-performance cars.
Dale Barnard and Karen Bracken’s 1995 Cobra AC DRB replica muscle car has been based on Shelby’s unique design, modified to look like the “real deal”.
The couple recently jet-setted home to the Blue Lake city after living in Queensland for a few years and brought their one-ofa- kind vehicle with them.
Mr Barnard said the vehicle’s shape and style made it look like it was on “steriods”.
“On our way to Mount Gambier, we ticked off one of the things on my bucket list and took the Cobra along the Great Ocean Road,” Mr Barnard said.
“This car was made for that road and hugged the tarmac.
“It has heaps of grunt, excitement, rear-end power and great cornering capacity.”
Mr Barnard said they purchased the vehicle in 1997 after seeing it while driving by a car dealership.
“While I was a drag car racer in England I saw somebody unload one from their trailer and roar down the racing strip,” he said.
“When we saw it, we were not particularly looking for one, but ever since I saw its drag-racing power I had always wanted one.
“It is a fantastic car and holds a lot of memories for both of us.”
Growing up in England and working as a heavy diesel mechanic, Mr Barnard said he enjoyed working on the car because it felt like he was creating something new.
“Although it is not a super street machine, I wanted to find out what it would do so I took it to the Willowbank Drag Strip Tune and put it to the test,” he said.
“I was delighted to return a time of 12.7 seconds at 110mph at a standing quarter mile.
“I am happy with its performance and in my later years am content to cruise around in an enjoyable and very reliable sports car.”
Mr Barnard said the vehicle came with a custom-built soft-top complete with side windows.
“It gives the car an enhanced European image for when the weather turns nasty,” he said.
“We have actually only ever had to use it once because of the warm Queensland weather.”
Now residing in the Limestone Coast for at least the next six months, Mr Barnard said residents may spot it around town.
“It is a real head turner due to its bright colour and unique style,” Ms Bracken said.
“When we freighted it down, we were terribly worried about what was going to happen to it and whether it would be damaged.
“We would prefer not to ship it back with us when we leave, so if we found a suitable owner here we would let it go.”
As avid car collectors, Ms Bracken said the vehicle had not been driven often.
“For the 20 years we have had it, it has barely been driven so it is in very good condition,” she said.
Mr Barnard said people often asked how much trouble he had getting the car’s webers working.
“Having always loved their sound and exotic look, I used to envy a fellow club member’s V8 302 fitted with a full set of webers,” he said.
“He was having trouble and when he finally had enough, he gave me the opportunity to purchase the motor from him with the intention of putting the webers onto my 351.”
Mr Barnard said the motor proved difficult to work on in his “cramped” working bay.
“Getting my hands on a manifold was a problem and I realised the bonnet scoop would have to be rebuilt high to fit the webers in,” he said.
“I compromised, took the 351 out and transplanted the 302 in with its webers and five-speed Supra gearbox.”
After much effort, Mr Barnard said the car still ran erratically and was virtually undriveable.
“After much tinkering and double checking I realised I was looking in the wrong place and I discovered it had a dead spot between 2000 and 5000 rev mark,” he said.
“I had an electrician to fit an electronic ignition and it has ran like a dream to this day.”
Mr Barnard said the Cobra had needed little maintenance issues over the years.
“Few cars have operational side pipes because they are very noisy and sound horrible for the occupants” he said.
“You only hear half of the engine and they can inflict serious leg burns.
“A friend of ours did the Route 66 run as a passenger in a Cobra big block with side pipes and the throbbing sound of half an engine made him miserable.
“He said he had a migraine for the four days which is why we run the mufflers and tailpipes.”
SPECIFICATIONS
ENGINE: Ford V8 302 Windsor
TRANSMISSION: Supra turbo five-speed
WHEELS AND SPINNERS: Halibrand
TYRES: 215/60R5 Nankan front and P275/60 R15 Hercules H/P 400 rear
CHASSIS: Custom space frame by DRB
FRONT SUSPENSION: Torana
CYLINDER HEADS: Aluminium Edelbrock with Cobra rocker covers
DIFFERENTIAL Ford nine-inch with a Detroit Locker and 4.1 gears
REAR SUSPENSION: Link rod
EXHAUST: Lukey sports dual system
ACCESSORIES: Radio, tonneau Ccvers. all weather soft top, anti-theft device, battery charger, single driver side rollbar, imitation side pipes
UNIQUE FEATURES: Shell number 9 – based on the original Carroll Shelby design
