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