Bill Thomas Cheetah

[Rednine11]

anybody know anything about these? They are available again but too rich for my pockets. I would LOVE to have one. I know...it's NOT a Porsche but I'm a car Junkie, I like other stuff too

[HelmetHead]

I've seen those before... IIRC Chevy powered with the engine as close to center 50/50 as possible...the driver sits directly above the rear axle. I think they were built to compete with the cobra's. Probably a tube frame kit car available??

[HelmetHead]

[carr914]

I had a chance to buy an Original 20 Years ago for $15k, but I couldn't fit in it. The Tranny is right next to your right thigh & the engine is right next to your right foot, so very little leg & foot room plus lots of heat.

Cheetahs were fast in a straight line, but

[herr_oberst]

I remember reading that the originals were absolute nightmares on the race track.

Way, way cool design, though. When they first came out, my little 6 or 7 year old mind was blown.

[scottmandue]

I know nothing however always wanted one too.

+1 on I think they were trying to compete with the Cobra and Corvette

[carr914]

Yes, they were a Competitor of the Cobras & Corvette GrandSports

[tabs]

OHHH NO..I just threw up all over my keeebbbbbboa..............

[Rednine11]

it may not be the prettiest car in the world but I am looking at its performance..these cars ran 215 mph with a 500 Hp small block !!!
I might pull the trigger on the tube chassis and body and build it myself

In the 60s, it was Chevrolet's idea - and Bill Thomas' dream - to create a car that would challenge the Cobra. The result? The awe-inspiring Cheetah, born of vision and guts and a commitment to build a car that would shatter track records along with the Cobra's dominance. With storied race-car builders Don Edmunds and Don Borth, Bill Thomas built a car that in turn built a new story of speed. 185 mph at RoadAmerica. 215 mph at Daytona.

http://www.65cheetahccc.com/history.html

[911pcars]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

I remember reading that the originals were absolute nightmares on the race track.

Way, way cool design, though. When they first came out, my little 6 or 7 year old mind was blown.

Yes, while the objective was to be competitive with Cobras and Vettes, their race track manners were somewhat.... compromised. It's really a better drag car.

Sherwood

[pavulon]

[Rednine11]

pavulon
where did that pic come from??
Got any more??

[TRE Cup]

Saw one up close at Dick Guldstrand's shop in Culver City, back in the day. The trans output shaft goes to a universal joint connected to the rear pumpkin. That's it= no driveshaft. Its a wicked looking car and even more wicked handling.
You could always tell the Cheetah driver in the paddock: Burned ankles, white knuckles, and his eyes wide open ! ;-) The front end would get really light at speed, so those high mph figures must have taken an incredible amount of bravery to achieve... with no crosswinds

[pavulon]

My images came from Road America. I try my best to attend one of the three vintage events held there every year (the Kohler International Challenge is the local Holy Grail for that stuff). All sorts of stuff from eveywhere turns up and runs and everyone seems to enjoy themselves a lot!! The first year I was there, some guy flipped a Can-am racer (reportedly not even his) on the parade into town. I'll have to look for those images.

I only have one other Cheetah image but vividly recall looking at (especially inside of) one and saying to myself "uh, hell no."

[pavulon]

from the 'net

[agrimmitt]

Red:
For years in the late 60's early 70's the Santa Barbara City College lower parking lot was the site of the SB Sport Car Club's monthly autocross. And everything under the sun showed up: Porsche's (356, 911, 914/6, and a 550 spider and yes a guy from Ojal with a 904), MG's Datsun (510 couple and 2000s) and all the other types. And the best of the "big motor" cars were the Cobra's both 289s and a older guy and his sons with a British racing green 427sc!! And everyone drove those cars to the event and drove them to whatever limit he or she would take they car! The 3nd Friday of the month was the Friday night rally (starting at the beach into the hills and back) which 40- 50 cars showed up every time. Some of the best fun you could find for $5.00! Anyway, one Sunday a guy shows up with a silver Cheetah to run the autocross, great sound, under believable power, could not turn or get power to the ground to save itself. In those days we were able to go for "rdie along" in a car. I being a very young dump kid with a 911 asked for ride. He said yes, and buddy it was one hell of a ride. Everything above that was said is correct. No leg room, hard to a good seating position, pure engine smells and very hot inside. But (as I remember it was a 327) unbelievable power and launch, and the sound of the side pipe was music to anyone car nuts ears.
If you can afford it, "buy it" and once a month (or more>big time grins) take it out and stand on with lots of open/straight pavement ahead of you. It's just like the first time you drove an early 911 or better yet 1976 Turbo Carrara only with horsepower to spare. The car has "wow factor" that no other car can claim, and you will be the only guys with one 95% of the time wherever you go! O ya, it's only a Chev motor if you need to repair it.
Art

[pavulon]

Maybe get an unobtanium bellhousing and blanket if you're serious about buying one. Hate to think about another Garlits moment.

[Big John]

Hi
A friend of mine in the UK is now selling all the body panels to construct one of these great cars, don't know about chassis though. I think the molds he has were taken from an original car.
Fred Yeakel in California still races one of these cars (No.8).
If anyone is interested please let me know and I will give you his contact details.

[Damian in NJ]

Authorized 'continuation' cars are being built. And IIRC, the originals all had removable steering wheels because that's the only way you could get in the car.

The 1965 Bill Thomas Cheetah Continuation Collectible Coupe and Cro-Sal Special Roadster

[John Rogers]

Here you go....