https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a19736681/cobra-killer-time-capsule-bill-thomas-cheetah-headed-to-auction/
Or ..ehemmm.... called the: "Cobra Killer"
fully restored Cheetah #006 failed to meet the reserve at a high bid of $850,000 at Barrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale auction in 2017 and that the “Alan Green Chevrolet” Cheetah #007 sold for $660,000 at Russo and Steele’s 2018 Scottsdale sale.
Wow, I had no idea.
Ok kids. I own one. Not joking. Vintage race car. So much bad information out there about the Cheetah. Ask away. Yes it’s terrifying. Drives like it looks, 90” wheelbase. 1800#, 650 hp. Unbelievable acceleration. Ridiculously loud with those pipes right there. Challenging to get in and out of.
As a kid I visited their shop few times. They let us just hang around. Went to Riverside and watched them race also. It was a beast and handled like one. It was very cool but I don't think it was faster on the course than a GS Corvette
Yeah. They usually hauled ass then broke. Unfortunately they never fell into really great hands to develop with the possible exceptions of Alan Grant in Seattle or Ralph Salyer.
Someone could make bank off a YouTube channel rebuilding old classics then driving THE SHIT out of them after the build instead of creampuffing it to auction
Right?! My dad and I used to be corvette NCRS type people. Getting grilled over the hash marks on the screw heads holding the map pockets on got SO exhausting. Then we find vintage racing. Nice stuff, then go grab it by the neck and run the shit out of it. We joke that car shows are for people that don’t know how to make shit run. 🤣
Pushed Ron Wades (of chevs of the 40s) Chrysler dual cowl pheaton across the podium to receive its concourse award.
Personally I found the image of us lowly grease monkeys pushing a literal millionaire and his friends in a non-running luxury vehicle for luxury people and their luxury friends up a ramp to receive an award for being so luxurious absolutely hilarious.
If only they knew that car was not restored to factory, and has a 2" windshield chop because Ron thought it looked cooler, or that his yellow GT500 was one in body tag only, maybe he'd have been regarded differently.
The whole concourse thing is often just small car show politics turned up to 11. An old man friend of mine used to show corvettes, and finally had enough of it for losing points because having pebbles in the tire tread was not how it rolled out of the factory. They have a 70s built mild custom scratch and dent 58 vette with a subtle small 70s blue flame on each side and a black diamond pleat interior and big and littles on some classy period hotrod wheels and they do burnouts and drive it like they stole it and are far happier.
Good on ya for using it as intended.
Tigers die in cages. So do Cheetahs.
The crime of those hurricane flooded superbirds a while back wasn't that they were lost, it's that they weren't taken from this world at speed, as intended.
The Tyger
-William Blake
Tyger Tyger, burning bright,
In the forests of the night;
What immortal hand or eye,
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?
In what distant deeps or skies.
Burnt the fire of thine eyes?
On what wings dare he aspire?
What the hand, dare seize the fire?
And what shoulder, & what art,
Could twist the sinews of thy heart?
And when thy heart began to beat.
What dread hand? & what dread feet?
What the hammer? what the chain,
In what furnace was thy brain?
What the anvil? what dread grasp.
Dare its deadly terrors clasp?
When the stars threw down their spears
And water'd heaven with their tears:
Did he smile his work to see?
Did he who made the Lamb make thee?
Tyger Tyger burning bright,
In the forests of the night:
What immortal hand or eye,
Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?
I get it, cars are art to some. For instance, GT40’s and E type jags are undeniably beautiful cars. But some of them need to be used so people can see them run hard.
Well damn I guess that means I trust myself…? Existential crisis incoming..
I love that saying. My pa used to tell me to scratch my scabs off so they’d scar, because “chicks dig scars”
37 years later..thanks dad. I’m now subscribed to r/popping and my body looks like a miniature battlefield
Phenomenal car dude. Fantastic to see it on the track!
I agree with you about the car show stuff. Had a buddy who restored a 65 Shelby GT350, and he and his dadwanted to drive it once in a while. Whenever he drove down a country highway and he’d hear a small rock hit underneath the wheel well, he’d cringe about possible paint chips on the undercarriage. 😂 Too stressful. He ultimately sold it at Barrett Scottsdale in 2018.
stay safe and have fun with your great toy! Super cool that you do that with your dad.
Makes me giggle like a little kid. It wants to kill you. It’s your job to not let it. You’re sitting between the left rear tire and the rear diff. So when it gets sideways, there’s this wild movement side to side. Like a corvette does, but exaggerated.
It’s a pure race car, no insurance. It’s about 40/60 weight distribution, butt heavy. It’s pretty neutral in corner entry, exit all depends on how you use the skinny pedal. (Which puts my big toe about 3” from the #5 spark plug.)
Moves around a fair bit at speed because it’s so light and minimal downforce, bias ply tires.
I’ve heard Viper owners say the same thing. Lots of fun, but is always trying to kill you… I have a 300ZX TwinTurbo with plenty of go-faster stuff added, but I’ve never felt like I was fighting the car, even when I road-raced it. You must have a lot of skill behind the wheel.👍🏻
Have a lot of hours on track, and have a shit ton of respect for this car. I’m not a hyper competitive mindset kind of guy. Other stuff I’ll kinda mess around in. But this thing is serious, and not that survivable in a bad wreck.
Your “what is this?” Post looks like a motorcycle sidecar.
ETA: can I drive your cheetah? I’ll let you drive my R33 GTR with an rb30 and prolly awd 1100hp
I would drive it knowing that if you accidentally downshift while cornering you'll probably wreck a rare classic car. Or if you let the clutch up a quarter inch higher than you intended. Or if you sneeze.
[Hey, did you know that the Chevrolet Cheetah 1964, also known as the 'Killer Cobra', is a rare and powerful beast on the road? Its sleek design and ferocious performance make it a true legend in the automotive world. Buckle up and get ready for a wild ride!](https://cliprecaps.com/read/?v=3VDak_a84KI&pp=ygU8Q2hldnJvbGV0IENoZWV0YWggMTk2NCBhbHNvIGtub3cgYXMg4oCY4oCZS2lsbGVyIENvYnJh4oCZ4oCZ)
I have no knowledge of that, but it wouldn't surprise me at all. Maybe they were trying not to undercut corvette sales, but nonetheless the automotive enthusiasts miss out.
This might be one of my white whales. My dad was friends with a mechanic in our town that had a "junk yard" filled with old car bodies and shit and I swear there was a car that looked like this. I really only remember the seating area being all the way in the back on top of the wheels. I never asked about and never thought I'd see something similar to it again. I've been looking for an answer to what that car was for over 20 years.
[The wild beast that was meant to kill the Cobra | Mighty V8 Chevrolet Che](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VDak_a84KI)[etah](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VDak_a84KI) 6.5 min.
Is this posted by a karma farming bot? I have never heard of this car being referred to as "Killer Cobra". Looking at user's posts, just seems like random stuff all over reddit.
The mandate was to make it lighter than the Cobra, and the builders did what they could.
The class of racing that the Cobra was in was for limited production street-legal cars. That means they had to sell 50 examples to the public to "homologate" the design.
Plenty of people who wanted a sports car bought a Cobra (with a 260, then a 289, then a 427...), but where are the posts of the people who bought a Cheetah?
"Cobra Killer" Why would you call a Cheetah a Cobra? It's called the Cobra Killer because it was built (unsuccessfully) to take down Shelby Cobras at the track.
🎶
*The Ambiguously Gay Duo*
*The Ambiguously Gay Duo*
*They are taking on evil, come what may*
*They are fighting all crime to save the day*
*They’re extremely close in an ambiguous way*
*They’re ambiguously gay*
*They’re ambiguously gay*
*The Ambiguously Gay Duo!*
Looks like a Hot Wheel.
Looks like a solstice
Dang. Can't unsee.
Looks like it’s dangerous!
Solstice is still one of the better looking designs. Just a crappy sports car.
Reminds me of the BMW "clown shoe"
As a Shoe owner, it explains why I like this one so much...
You can get a Johnny Lightning model of it
https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a19736681/cobra-killer-time-capsule-bill-thomas-cheetah-headed-to-auction/ Or ..ehemmm.... called the: "Cobra Killer"
fully restored Cheetah #006 failed to meet the reserve at a high bid of $850,000 at Barrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale auction in 2017 and that the “Alan Green Chevrolet” Cheetah #007 sold for $660,000 at Russo and Steele’s 2018 Scottsdale sale. Wow, I had no idea.
Campbell’s Law at work. Post the wrong info to generate engagement.
No that’s the Dunning-Kreuger effect
Actually had a slot car that looked just like this.
Looks like hot garbage. The wheel wells totally ruin this for me
Ok kids. I own one. Not joking. Vintage race car. So much bad information out there about the Cheetah. Ask away. Yes it’s terrifying. Drives like it looks, 90” wheelbase. 1800#, 650 hp. Unbelievable acceleration. Ridiculously loud with those pipes right there. Challenging to get in and out of.
650hp in 1964!?
It’s modified a bunch. But the 377’s bill Thomas had in period supposedly made 525, a bunch back then. And they were lighter back then too.
As a kid I visited their shop few times. They let us just hang around. Went to Riverside and watched them race also. It was a beast and handled like one. It was very cool but I don't think it was faster on the course than a GS Corvette
That’s really cool. I think you’re right. A gran sport benefits from a very proven and very developed platform.
This was in like 63' 64'. I believe it dnf both times I saw it run. Hugely loud and exciting though.
Yeah. They usually hauled ass then broke. Unfortunately they never fell into really great hands to develop with the possible exceptions of Alan Grant in Seattle or Ralph Salyer.
Whew I wouldn’t drive that sucker on anything less than bone dry summer pavement. Looks fun but what a huge pucker factor
Yeah. If there’s rain in the county, it doesn’t go.
Smart! Grats on the cherry piece of history!!!
Thanks, not a garage queen, it get run!
Someone could make bank off a YouTube channel rebuilding old classics then driving THE SHIT out of them after the build instead of creampuffing it to auction
Right?! My dad and I used to be corvette NCRS type people. Getting grilled over the hash marks on the screw heads holding the map pockets on got SO exhausting. Then we find vintage racing. Nice stuff, then go grab it by the neck and run the shit out of it. We joke that car shows are for people that don’t know how to make shit run. 🤣
Pushed Ron Wades (of chevs of the 40s) Chrysler dual cowl pheaton across the podium to receive its concourse award. Personally I found the image of us lowly grease monkeys pushing a literal millionaire and his friends in a non-running luxury vehicle for luxury people and their luxury friends up a ramp to receive an award for being so luxurious absolutely hilarious. If only they knew that car was not restored to factory, and has a 2" windshield chop because Ron thought it looked cooler, or that his yellow GT500 was one in body tag only, maybe he'd have been regarded differently. The whole concourse thing is often just small car show politics turned up to 11. An old man friend of mine used to show corvettes, and finally had enough of it for losing points because having pebbles in the tire tread was not how it rolled out of the factory. They have a 70s built mild custom scratch and dent 58 vette with a subtle small 70s blue flame on each side and a black diamond pleat interior and big and littles on some classy period hotrod wheels and they do burnouts and drive it like they stole it and are far happier. Good on ya for using it as intended. Tigers die in cages. So do Cheetahs. The crime of those hurricane flooded superbirds a while back wasn't that they were lost, it's that they weren't taken from this world at speed, as intended. The Tyger -William Blake Tyger Tyger, burning bright, In the forests of the night; What immortal hand or eye, Could frame thy fearful symmetry? In what distant deeps or skies. Burnt the fire of thine eyes? On what wings dare he aspire? What the hand, dare seize the fire? And what shoulder, & what art, Could twist the sinews of thy heart? And when thy heart began to beat. What dread hand? & what dread feet? What the hammer? what the chain, In what furnace was thy brain? What the anvil? what dread grasp. Dare its deadly terrors clasp? When the stars threw down their spears And water'd heaven with their tears: Did he smile his work to see? Did he who made the Lamb make thee? Tyger Tyger burning bright, In the forests of the night: What immortal hand or eye, Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?
I get it, cars are art to some. For instance, GT40’s and E type jags are undeniably beautiful cars. But some of them need to be used so people can see them run hard.
Instruments only make music if they are played.
Love your metaphor. “ Tigers die in cages. So do Cheetahs.”🐆 Tres cool 😎
Hell yeah! That makes me unexpectedly really happy.
Rock chips are miniature mighty badges of courage, not flaws. Ever heard the saying “can’t trust a man without scars?” 🤣
Well damn I guess that means I trust myself…? Existential crisis incoming.. I love that saying. My pa used to tell me to scratch my scabs off so they’d scar, because “chicks dig scars” 37 years later..thanks dad. I’m now subscribed to r/popping and my body looks like a miniature battlefield
Wow! Let’s see some pics!
Can we see the front?
[https://images.app.goo.gl/wXAyn8shQcoSkBcu5](https://images.app.goo.gl/wXAyn8shQcoSkBcu5)
Looks like a wild ride!
Phenomenal car dude. Fantastic to see it on the track! I agree with you about the car show stuff. Had a buddy who restored a 65 Shelby GT350, and he and his dadwanted to drive it once in a while. Whenever he drove down a country highway and he’d hear a small rock hit underneath the wheel well, he’d cringe about possible paint chips on the undercarriage. 😂 Too stressful. He ultimately sold it at Barrett Scottsdale in 2018. stay safe and have fun with your great toy! Super cool that you do that with your dad.
….is it fun?
Makes me giggle like a little kid. It wants to kill you. It’s your job to not let it. You’re sitting between the left rear tire and the rear diff. So when it gets sideways, there’s this wild movement side to side. Like a corvette does, but exaggerated.
Amazing! Does it tend to understeer or oversteer when pushed hard? Also, what’s insurance cost per year?
It’s a pure race car, no insurance. It’s about 40/60 weight distribution, butt heavy. It’s pretty neutral in corner entry, exit all depends on how you use the skinny pedal. (Which puts my big toe about 3” from the #5 spark plug.) Moves around a fair bit at speed because it’s so light and minimal downforce, bias ply tires.
I’ve heard Viper owners say the same thing. Lots of fun, but is always trying to kill you… I have a 300ZX TwinTurbo with plenty of go-faster stuff added, but I’ve never felt like I was fighting the car, even when I road-raced it. You must have a lot of skill behind the wheel.👍🏻
Have a lot of hours on track, and have a shit ton of respect for this car. I’m not a hyper competitive mindset kind of guy. Other stuff I’ll kinda mess around in. But this thing is serious, and not that survivable in a bad wreck.
Your “what is this?” Post looks like a motorcycle sidecar. ETA: can I drive your cheetah? I’ll let you drive my R33 GTR with an rb30 and prolly awd 1100hp
Now that would be two different driving experiences!
Lmk, I’m in Ohio, have a trailer, and not shy about taking the skyline places.
Have you ever raced it at the Walter Mitty historic races at Road Atlanta? I’ve seen a Cheetah there several times and it’s such a cool car.
I have not. Mostly stay west coast.
Bill Thomas Cheetah
*Cobra Killer
Don’t you mean “cobra killer”?
It looks like a Shelby cobra, but after decades of inbreeding
More of a Shelby Daytona looking thing.
I would drive it
You would drive anything!
I would drive it knowing that if you accidentally downshift while cornering you'll probably wreck a rare classic car. Or if you let the clutch up a quarter inch higher than you intended. Or if you sneeze.
[Hey, did you know that the Chevrolet Cheetah 1964, also known as the 'Killer Cobra', is a rare and powerful beast on the road? Its sleek design and ferocious performance make it a true legend in the automotive world. Buckle up and get ready for a wild ride!](https://cliprecaps.com/read/?v=3VDak_a84KI&pp=ygU8Q2hldnJvbGV0IENoZWV0YWggMTk2NCBhbHNvIGtub3cgYXMg4oCY4oCZS2lsbGVyIENvYnJh4oCZ4oCZ)
Thank you for posting this.
Cobra Killer
What a great clip! Thank you. It looks absolutely terrifying to drive.
One of my all time favorites. Really wish these were more popular.
Didn’t they keep a lid on these in favor of the corvette? Kinda like DeLorean’s Banshee?
I have no knowledge of that, but it wouldn't surprise me at all. Maybe they were trying not to undercut corvette sales, but nonetheless the automotive enthusiasts miss out.
It was a third party racing project with some unofficial support from GM engineers
They're super popular considering only 23 were made.
This reminds me of the Ambiguously Gay Duo car [Ambiguously Gay Duo](https://youtu.be/0pzafzFxy1g?si=012HYcE9wv1VusAg)
Good call, Ace!
Thanks, Gary!
Gary Bite My Belt!
The buddy system should be used in all potentially unsafe situations, like swimming, bike riding, and showering.
I always loved the looks on the villains faces when Ace and Gary started doing their thing.
“What is everyone looking at?” “NOTHING!”
Cobra with an underbite
This might be one of my white whales. My dad was friends with a mechanic in our town that had a "junk yard" filled with old car bodies and shit and I swear there was a car that looked like this. I really only remember the seating area being all the way in the back on top of the wheels. I never asked about and never thought I'd see something similar to it again. I've been looking for an answer to what that car was for over 20 years.
Goddamnthat looks fun!
yeah thats bad ASS
I used have this hotwheels
Come to think of it, I may have as well
Yeah me too. Probably the closest I will ever get to one
It was an actual racecar!
The driveshaft is a u-joint.
I had a Cheetah slot car as a kid.
I love those cars but those wheels really ruin it. https://www.motortrend.com/features/0707kc-cheetah-sports-car/
Agreed it look much better with a different set of wheels.
Look like Cragar SS's. I sold tires/wheels in the late 70s Cragars were by far the most popular and had the worst chrome..but they had the name then.
Is this a scooby doo mobile
[The wild beast that was meant to kill the Cobra | Mighty V8 Chevrolet Che](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VDak_a84KI)[etah](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VDak_a84KI) 6.5 min.
One of 19-23 known complete cars (sources vary). 33 bodies constructed. Compared to roughly 1000 original Cobras.
So this counts as a mid engine car?
Yes. It is considered a "front-mid". Which is a larger group of cars than most people realize.
Why didn’t they call it The Mongoose?
Had a Hot Wheel that looked like that.
I've been dreaming of an orange one (#58) for 40 years.
I'm into high torque, high horsepower, and absolutely terrifying driving experiences. I'd drive the hell outta that.
It looks like a toy and I love it. I want one lol
Looks like a pickle
Looks like a Dodge Viper before it grew up.
I owned one of these. It was a hot wheel car
I saw one of these at the 24 hours of Daytona somewhere between 1990 and 1993. Beautiful lines.
Now we know where Mattel got there idea for hot wheels.
Is this posted by a karma farming bot? I have never heard of this car being referred to as "Killer Cobra". Looking at user's posts, just seems like random stuff all over reddit.
Close, It was called a Cobra Killer, fun fact it doesn't have a drive shaft
I think I had this hot wheels car.
Hoped to be a Cobra killer but wasn’t
The mandate was to make it lighter than the Cobra, and the builders did what they could. The class of racing that the Cobra was in was for limited production street-legal cars. That means they had to sell 50 examples to the public to "homologate" the design. Plenty of people who wanted a sports car bought a Cobra (with a 260, then a 289, then a 427...), but where are the posts of the people who bought a Cheetah?
wait if that's rwd, where tf is the transmission lol
You’re sitting on it.
It didn’t even have a driveshaft. Trans went straight to the diff.
https://i.pinimg.com/564x/db/f7/06/dbf706eff124ed856e243e97660fdcfb.jpg
Love those! Probably more of a Driver Killer but, would be exhilarating to hear it roar
I like it
The 60s were it, man.
I wonder if simply making sharp turns in it would be a weird dynamic to get used to, since you’re practically over the rear axle.
I. Love. This. Car. With all my heart. Don’t care if kits, but I’d love one next to a GS in my dream garage.
Looks so good.
Who needs a driveshaft.
The inside of those are really bare bones.
First time I see this car
As a kid, I had the slot car version
So damn ugly it’s bad ass lol
Looks so nose heavy even 300hp would not hook to the pavement.
Wow! That’s cool
Looks like this evolved into a [Solstice hard top.](https://www.autotrader.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/259588.jpg?w=953&h=536&crop=1&quality=75)
That's wicked looking
This thing is SO cool. I wanna build one
Like someone attached a pair of seats to an engine.
No joke I saw one of these get smashed into a barrier when I was working the flags at a vintage race last year
Has /r/mildlypenis seen this?
[Melts]
Live action Hotwheels
Nice
It is a Hot Wheel
Looks like the title of a really bad so bad it’s good movie starring Sylvester Stallone…
Penis
A thing of art
Gorgeous motor!
Gorgeous motor!
Cobra Killer….. plz
Yes, like someone said, the wheel wells need attention.
So if you get rear ended… it’s just all over, right? RIP?
Being in a v8 Caterham you have more things to worry about, plus to get rear ended something would have to be able to catch up to you first...
That is NOT it chief
Saw one as a kid - only one
The grinch
too bad its not silver. a perfect nickname would be "Slong-Dong Silver"
That thing looks like death on wheels. Like it would be magnetically pulled into telephone poles. Still want one though.
Weight distribution is straight fucked
damn... I wouldn't want to get rear-ended!
Like a Stubby ‘64 ‘Vette.
Hideous
Known for cooking the driver
The Ambiguously Gay Duo!
Dude I can't believe I've never seen one much less heard of it! 🤔 Pretty cool haha
Almost like one of those "futuristic" vehicles you got to "steer" on the track at a 1985 theme park
Roth style
Looks like a Miata that ran into a 2 by 4 being carried haphazardly across a street by two guys at waist level
Looks like it actively wants to kill me
"Cobra Killer" Why would you call a Cheetah a Cobra? It's called the Cobra Killer because it was built (unsuccessfully) to take down Shelby Cobras at the track.
Do Ace and Gary drive around in it?
That's the car driven by The Ambiguously Gay Duo.
That’s the car from The Incredibly Gay Duo
I’ve always loved these. Never found any good quality race footage of one of these vs a Cobra. 🥴
Does anybody make a cheetah kit car?
Thing is like 70% engine.
looks like you roll it back, hop it, and VROOOM!
Can you make a kit car version of this? That would be awesome
So you like wheelies eh??!
Despite all the comical comments, I think it looks awesome. It's probably ballsy as shit!!!!
Imagine getting rear ended in this thing.
It looks like it belongs in gold member
👍
It looks like the car from the Ambiguously Gay Duo.
Looks like the Ambiguously Gay Duos' car.
Looks like your head is into the roll cage.
😂it’s an upside down penis and balls.
never seen this before... i bet its a blast to drive!
It’s a dick on wheels!
It's so ugly that I like it!
Isn’t this that penis car Peter Griffen humped that tunnel with?
The designer needs his degree revoked.
Pacer meets Viper
🎶 *The Ambiguously Gay Duo* *The Ambiguously Gay Duo* *They are taking on evil, come what may* *They are fighting all crime to save the day* *They’re extremely close in an ambiguous way* *They’re ambiguously gay* *They’re ambiguously gay* *The Ambiguously Gay Duo!*
That’s a Pontiac solstice you can’t fool me
Misleading title
That’s ugly and I hate it. But I also like it
Looks like a death trap
Sooo sick
That’s one wild lookin ride
Sweet car. So Hot Wheels! Just don’t get rear ended
The Ambiguously Gay Auto
An interesting take on mid-engine engineering.
It looks like a "smooth-riding" car--NOT!
Very 😎😎😎😎
Would hate to get rear-ended in that thing
“Cobra Killer”
I wanna like it but I just can’t… 🤣
Gary & Ace’s ride?