I’m starting to realize Tom may have been just as fascinated with hill climbs and rallying as he was with land speed racing. He skipped Bonneville for Pikes Peak at least twice, and through the 1950s he entered his roadster in a number of local hill climbs as well. A few months ago I was talking with Unser about Cobbs and his involvement at Pikes Peak with Louis. At one point he mentioned, almost offhandedly, that Louis had been helping Tom plan a ’36 Ford for the Carrera Panamericana. Which would certainly explain the second seat. But as far as I’ve ever been able to tell, the plan never actually materialized.
Pretty cool stuff, especially the rolling ch***is. Looking at the transmission linkage and its position on the right side of the ******, I have to wonder what transmission that is.
what is the engine? looks like Cadillac 331 or maybe Olds 303. Hard to see in picture but definitely OHV.
My first thought was Caddy as well. The flattened rear crossmember, setback, and low mounting of the engine all lend credence to the Panamericana mention. Cobbs was living the life and then some! And the Unser connection is interesting too.
I grew up riding around in Dad's 36. I know exactly where it is today. Also the very first car I drove, in His lap! It blows my mind to think these gents were doing all this around that time. It always does. I wonder just what it is they have taped off in the lower section of the grill. It seems oddly specific. Who am I to question these guys!, Way ahead of their time.
Look at the center picture in the middle room (car show display). Looks like some type of intake that they taped off for racing. Not sure why it would be taped off if it is an intake, but curious as well.
Very cool. I did a double-take on the '36: same year coupe as my dad, same time frame, both chopped, both with the same sponsor. Cobbs' '36 was obviously more cl***y, but nevertheless, a lot of coincidental similarities.
Here’s a closer look at the hole in the grille, the 3-71 blower was front mounted and a Vertex magneto was driven off the blower.
ok, I see it in the other post about the hamb topper and understand much better—mostly a clearance thing. I am still impressed that at that time, they had the wherewithal to tape this off. Unless it was ruled they needed to. (can't imagine this at that time) If they were savvy enough to smooth it out with cardboard and all they had accomplished, with their skill and knowledge, why didn't they fab a small blister? Just wondering, had to be there.
Yes it is and wearing the same tags as the pics from the Death Valley post from a couple months back.
The show car placard says it had a Mercury engine when it set the Bonneville records, so I ***ume it was some time after that show when they tore it down and installed the Cad engine shown in the ch***is photo.
One of your earlier posts of the Cobb archives, had this picture Certainly looks like the start to the rolling two seater in the current pictures.
I don’t know that the ch***is pictures are of the ‘36… they were just in the same directory. So there is that to consider as well… And tom was all over the place. I have probably more than 100 bills of sale far from 1950 to 1960 or so…
Ryan i was lucky enough to buy "The Engle Cams Special" Fox and Cobbs 36 and proud to be the caretaker of the car for now. Those pictures with the potted plants are from the Motorama I believe in Los Angeles 1952 or 1953. I've been following along with your posts of unseen Cobbs material, just hoping pictures of the 36 would be in there. These are absolute GOLD!!! Thank you for sharing with us! Russ
Yes sir… if I post anything you need in hires, just say the word and I will make sure you get them. I’m confident there are more images to come. And congrats on a really special car man. Sincerely.
The Jalopy Journal
