Herb Adam’s VSE Cobra

October 31, 2009

The Professor gets to show of one of his cars. He brings out his VSE Cobra. This car features an all aluminum monocoque chassis, Big Block aluminum CHEVROLET, it just ends up having a Cobra body. We take a look and fire up the stock’ish 468 Chevrolet, well all 701hp worth…

Some specs –

The Motor:
Chevrolet 468 Aluminum Block, Aluminum Heads, Forged Crank, Billet Rods, Mechanical Roller Cam, 12:1 CR, AccuSump, Jessel Belt Drive, RaceMate Alternator/Waterpump

Transmission:
Older Doug Nash 5 Speed, 1:1 Final Drive, Tilton bell housing, 7.25″ dual disc ceramic clutch pack

Chassis:
Herb Adam’s VSE Aluminum Backbone frame (Monocoque)

Suspension:
Custom independent front geometry
S.C.P. Ford 9″ full floating axle, Strange Engineering 3.89 R&P
Coil overs 4 corners

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Quick Links

Quick Link to Dan Edmunds
Quick Link to Mini-E and 370Z
Quick Link to Jeff Ross’s First Car

Video of the Professors Cobra

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26 thoughts on “Herb Adam’s VSE Cobra”

  1. Jason

    Hey Sandy what happened to the videos? I feel like there used to be like 2 or 3 videos every Saturday. Don’t get me wrong I appreciate all the work you guys do, but I liked being able to see footage of the cars, so what’s the deal?

  4. Chris

    Very cool car Sandy, if you are scared to take it for a spin I’ll gladly do it for you. I’m an excellent driver…..

  5. 831Doug

    Sandy –

    Glad to see you had a chance to feature your VSE Cobra on the CarCast. That thing is going to be a monster! BTW – People can learn everything and more than they want to know about Cobra replicas of all makes by visiting Club Cobra.

    http://www.clubcobra.com

  9. Dustin Driver

    That’s an amazing car Sandy. I can’t believe you got a Chevy aluminum Can-Am block! I’d love to know more about it. And shit, 2200 pounds . . . . That’s, like, a first-generation Miata. Jesus.

    Thanks and looking forward to your next video!

    1. CarCast Post author

      Picked up the block back in the early 80’s and stashed it. I don’t know much about where it has been. The guy that I got it from has 2 this one and a beat one that had GM numbers on it as I recall (Long time ago) It has some odd stuff that someone said was not a Can Am block but the block is clean of all markings as someone had buffed the block and seems to have cleaned all the numbers off. The only ones left might be behind the bell housing but will have to wait for the blown engine to see if any. It does have a fuel pump boss and I think most of the Can Am’s didn’t but not sure. While in Carmel getting the paint work done at VSE a guy came over and saw the motor and wanted it for his Can Am car that he was restoring, but not sure how much he knew about the block. The heads are some odd Chevrolet (yeah, Chevy brand) pro-stock raised exhaust (or something like that) heads that have ports that required me to weld up the intake manifold. They were hand ported by the same fellow that did the Nelson Racing Engines (NRE) heads but these were done old school and a long time ago. Motor was built by a fellow Brad Lagman while at a Bob Lambek (sp) racing, he has later moved on to his own shop QMP Racing http://www.qmpracing.com/ and did both of my SB Ford aluminum motors.

      And yes, light and over hp, a nice combination 😉

      Sandy

  10. JOHN D

    I have a Can Am type ZL-1 Block…sleeved, mech fuel pump (4.25 Bore…now .040 over). I think it’s from ’68. Casting: 0-294550, Stamp Pad: 70065 53 W. Dry sump…Does your have a dry sump?

    1. CarCast Post author

      It has the odd set of pipe plugs over the oil filter but it is not set up for it now. As I mentioned all the casting numbers that were on the block are all polished out. The only area that may have something left would be behind the bell housing area if that did have any…

  11. joegagan

    sandy, loved the video of your ****** cobra. awesome motor! your work on the carcast is great, i listen to every episode.

    i have a line on an amazing 1966 UK built 52 jag xk120C replica. the owner has agreed to let us do a walkaround video, you will love this car. it has the correct (’53)dohc motor, amazing patina to the older BRG paintjob- runs, the guy drives it around Albuquerque all the time. there were only 50 real ones built in 52, the survivors go for 2 million plus, to see this on the street is crazy.

    i’ve got a few teaser photos for you, get ahold of me!

    please email me at [email protected], or call anytime, 505 315 7307

  14. Jay

    If youre going to have a ford, shelby, etc.. put a FORD motor in it. Leave the Chevy junk in the Chevys. Way to ruin a awesome car you fucking jackass.

    1. CarCast Post author

      Your right Jay, I’m going to take it out to apease you.

      It’s a Car with a motor that makes 700hp, so what more do you want? Save the hating for something important, and I have plenty of Ford stuff, just not this car so if your an angry ‘Five-oh’ guy can’t help with that. It does have a Ford 9″ if that makes you feel better…

      Sandy

  15. Mike O"Dee

    The huge bowties on the valve covers are downright obnoxious, but kinda funny! If you’re gonna do something might as well own it, right! Besides, 700h.p. (in a 2200 lb. car) is kinda like a giant F-U to the world anyway!!!
    Badass car, love the web-site. Always loved Adams rants, knowing that he is a true gearhead and seeing how serious all his old buddies are about cars/bikes downright makes him a diety!!!

    1. CarCast Post author

      The valve covers were hand cast, and weight about 6 lbs each. A friend made them 20 years ago for his twin turbo salt flat racer. Loved the BBC like I do, just never thought they would end up in an AC 😉

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