USRRC vs FIA

[sfm5s081]

Just trying to figure out the difference between the usrrc cars and the fia cars. The fia cars has the humps in the trunk to fit "the suitcase?" Both cars had:

Flared fenders
Cut back doors
Smaller wrap around windshield
Passenger side filler cap (no longer in the center)
No front grill or bumpers
Side pipes
Side vents
Roll bar
Mag wheels
Hood scoop

Am I missing anything?

[kranky]

The FIA cars had standard windshield assemblies and the USRRC cars could run the "smaller wrap around windshield."  Both FIA and USRRC cars ran the quick jacks front and rear (these replaced the standard bumpers).  The mag wheel sizes for both FIA and USRRC were usually 6 1/2" fronts and 8 1/2" rears (some were delivered with 7 1/2" rears, although 2431 did have a custom built set of American Racing wheels that were wider in the rear).  Both models, FIA and USRRC ran weber carbs.....brakes were the same on both (there is a note that at least one of the later built USRRC Cobras was run with street style brakes since it was to be run in SCCA A-Production).  2431 had adjustable A-arms and other special suspension parts.  Also, 2431 is noted to have experimented with vented disc brake rotors.  Most of the FIA and USRRC models also had front and rear brake scoops.  Both the FIA and USRRC seemed to run the top spec 289 race engine (usually around 380-390 HP, or more).  Side pipes varied from single to dual exit (at least on one USRRC Cobra).  I'm sure that I'm missing a few other details that the others will chime in and fill in the blanks.

[CSX2259]

To expand on Kranky's information,

FIA Cobras utilized OR & CR aluminum Girling calipers, USRRC cats ran stock specification calipers. FIA cars had purpose built dash panels void of glove boxes and larger than stock instruments laid out inline with aircraft switches, USRRC cars typically used street dash panels, gauges, switchgear and a glove box. There were later USRRC cars that had dashes solidarity to the FIA cars. Not all of the FIA cars received trunk lid dimples and none of the USRRC cars had them. Early USRRC cars didn't have an oil cooler chin scoop. Differential coolers on USRRC cars were mechanically driven off of the differential, FIA cars used an electric pump. FIA cars used a purpose built aircraft style wiring harness, USRRC cars used a standard street harness with additional circuits wired in as needed. USRRC and FIA cars tended to utilize 6.5 & 8.5 x 15 magnesium wheels, there were variants of both that had 7.5 x 15 rear magnesium wheels early on. FIA cars that had trunk lid dimples could have also had the spare tire tray modified as well. Both FIA & USRRC cars had long range fuel tanks, Fuel tank switch over valve with both electric and mechanical fuel pumps, the electric used as a booster on the reserve side of the fuel tank switchover valve. Tacos in both cars varied. As Kranky stated CSX2431 received a lot of modifications that other FIA & USRRC cars did not. At one race two FIA cars we're equipped with the smaller drivers screen (Augusta 1964, CSX2259 & 2260). FIA car speedometers were never functional.

[propayne]

Just to hopefully add a little illustration - here are some photos of an FIA Cobra that were in a magazine by Consumer Guide called "Muscle Cars" that was published in 1981.

It is miss-identified as a 427 Cobra in the magazine, but I have always loved these photos and the Cobra appears pretty original to me.

Would love to know what the Cobra experts have to say and which Cobra this is.

- Phillip

[kranky]

It's 2345....

[sd427]

A friend of mine was a long time owner of 2494, a USRRC car. There is a bulge in the rear cockpit panel, behind the passenger seat, to accommodate the diff cooler.

[ITHERTZ]

It's 2345....

The color on those scans is way off.  #2345 can still be seen in it's last raced glory at the Boulder Museum.  Fantastic car!

[propayne]

An ad that was in the "Market Place" section of the May 1967 issue of Road & Track.

- Phillip

[Cobra Ned]

That ad opened up a firestorm of controversy. The car described is CSX 2260, however the car that was shipped to the American buyer was labeled "2301" on its windshield, which was the other car J.M. Sparrow (and pals) owned. And it carried paperwork for 2301 as well. It was observed that there were the numbers 2260 on various places on the car, so why did they sell it as 2301 versus 2260? Long story, which took years to unwind. And it resulted in a new car being built from what turned out to be an "extra" title in the eyes of one greedy owner. All detailed, of course, in the SAAC Cobra Registry.