2004 Shelby Cobra Prototype Heading to Mecum Auction in Monterey

by Gabrielle DeSantis

To say Carroll Shelby was a legend in the automotive industry is a bit of an understatement. Despite many contributions over the years, the iconic Ford V8-powered Cobra roadsters are probably his best-known creations. After the original production run during the 1960s, and countless replicas over the years, Shelby and FoMoCo actually developed a new Cobra in the early 2000s. It was supposed to be the second in a new product line that also included the Ford GT and GR1.

Unfortunately, the Great Recession killed the project after the reborn GT. Ford held onto the Cobra prototype, known as Daisy, for years until it sold at auction in 2017. Now, this would-be Cobra successor will cross the auction block in Monterey, 18 years after the revived Shelby partnership was announced nearby at Pebble Beach. The seller was originally in charge of the car’s development at Ford, and has restored the prototype to operational condition.

A Shelby Cobra for the modern era

Carroll Shelby and Bill Ford Jr. introduce the Ford Shelby Cobra Concept at the North American International Auto Show 2004 in Detroit | David Cooper/Toronto Star via Getty Images

Power for this particular Cobra comes not from a V8, but a 605 hp 6.4-liter V10 from Ford Advanced Powertrain. The 2005-2006 Ford GT donated the front suspension, 6-speed Ricardo transaxle, and some of the aluminum chassis parts. Global VP of Design at the time, J Mays, was in charge of the body design team for the project.

Ford’s VP of Product Development, Chris Theodore, worked closely with Carroll Shelby to bring out the essence of an original Cobra. Shelby put the prototype through its paces at Irwindale Speedway in California for 150 miles. Ol’ Shel and Bill Ford Jr. even unveiled the car at the North American International Auto Show in 2004. Under normal circumstances, it might have been made available to the public as a production vehicle.

“Unfortunately, as time went on and we started to head into the recession, the program never got approved,” said Theodore to Fox News. “So that’s why we built this more as a prototype than a concept car. I put my whole engineering team on it and it should have gone into production.”

What happened to the car?

The 2004 Ford Shelby Cobra concept is displayed at the afterparty for the premiere of the film "XXX - State of the Union"
The 2004 Ford Shelby Cobra concept is displayed at the afterparty for the premiere of the film “XXX – State of the Union” | Photo by Vince Bucci via Getty Images

Aside from a role in the film XXX: State of the Union, the prototype sat dormant for over a decade. Theodore found out Ford was putting the car up for auction after he retired from his postion with the company. He then purchsed it from Ford at the Greensboro Auto Auction in 2017, for $825,000.

“I mortgaged both houses, but I got the car. We got her back running and she’s better than ever and just a joy to have and that you can take on the track,” Theodore told Fox News. “Now I’ve got it licensed and certified for the roads,”

When Theodore received the car from Ford, it had various drivertrain components that had been welded shut, for liability purposes. With the intimate knowledge and connections from his days at FoMoCo, however, he was able to overcome those hurdles. Now that Daisy is driveable and street-legal, Theodore is now ready to pass on the vehicle and responsibility.

“I’m too scared to take it out on the road because it’s the last Shelby Cobra. It’s one of one. There are no others and the engine’s one of four, so it needs a great caretaker to enjoy it.”

The next chapter for the last Cobra

With an estimated value of $1.5 to $2 million, this should be an interesting highlight at Mecum’s upcoming auction in Monterey. It’s assigned to Lot S105 and is scheduled to cross the auction block on Saturday, August 14, 2021. More pictures and details can be found at the Mecum Auctions listing.

RELATED: More Than 427: Superformance’s Shelby Cobra Summons Godzilla

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Consumer Reports Says the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport Is Simply Not as Good as the 2021 Toyota RAV4

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport is finally out and about, roaming our streets and trails. Although it’s colloquially known as the baby Bronco, it still seems to be pretty popular. Unfortunately, it’s not off to a good start. The Ford Escape-based Bronco Sport has inherited the Escape’s propensity for issues. The Bronco Sport has already seen three recalls in its short time on the road. It’s for this, and many other reasons, why Consumer Reports prefers the 2021 Toyota RAV4 over the Bronco Sport. 

2021 Ford Bronco Sport | Ford

Is the 2021 Toyota RAV4 a good car? 

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Adventure SUV parked on a dirt trail surrounded by grass hills. This model is recommended by Consumer Reports
The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Adventure SUV | Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

Consumer Reports certainly thinks so. The 2021 RAV4 is another small SUV in a long line of beautifully practical crossovers from the Kind of Reliability Toyota. CR gave the 2021 Toyota RAV4 a 69/100. While this isn’t the highest score of all time, it dwarfs the 2021 Bronco Sport’s score. The RAV4 is aptly scored because while it isn’t the best at any one thing, it does almost everything you’d expect with proficiency and remains fairly affordable. 

The RAV4 was one of the earliest pioneers in the small SUV/crossover segment that has taken over the automotive industry. The Toyota RAV4 has come a long way since the first generation. 

Toyota put a 2.5-liter four-cylinder making a plucky 203 hp. As Consumer Reports puts it, “the real power is buried in the upper reaches of the rev range where the engine unleashes a gravelly wail. It doesn’t feel very lively in mild, everyday driving.” This is common with small engined cars that aren’t focused on performance. There is also a Hybrid power option that is more efficient and slightly quicker. CR goes on to say that the RAV4 pulls down an impressive 27 mpg.

The rest of the car follows suit; nothing mind-blowing, just solid and practical. Consumer Reports mentions that handling is good, considering that segment. It also can handle the bumps and other road imperfections with relative grace. 

Is the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport a good car? 

2021 Bronco Sport hauling some dirt bikes. Due to reliability concerns, Consumer reports can't recommend it
2021 Ford Bronco Sport hauling dirt bikes | Ford

The new Bronco Sport is undeniably charming. It exudes outdoorsy energy and a sense of adventure. However, those rugged charms just weren’t enough to impress Consumer Reports. The 2021 Bronco Sport landed a 60/100, putting it in the “not recommended” list of new cars. 

One of the biggest issues CR had with the Bronco Sport is its low predicted reliability score. Since the Sport is based on the Ford Escape, it stands to reason that the baby Bronco will likely inherit its same issues. In fact, it has already had three recalls, and it hasn’t been out for more than six months. 

Ford set the base model up with a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder making 181 hp and paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission for the baby Bronco. While Consumer Reports liked the punchy midrange power of the three-cylinder, there is a bit of a low-end rumble and vibrations that get annoying. There is also a bigger engine that CR liked even more. The 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder is not only much more powerful – 245 hp – but it’s also much smoother and easier to live with. 

The baby Bronco is decent but nothing shines that bright

a 2021 Toyota RAV4 parked in a scenic forested area
2021 Toyota RAV4 | Toyota USA

Even though the Bronco Sport is based on the Escape, it has a much more interesting interior with a more rugged appeal. The interior features a few cool design elements like copper-colored trim on the doors and dash, zippered storage pockets on the backs of the front seats, and a leather steering wheel with a chrome bucking bronco emblem—all going toward a more rugged, outdoorsy feel.

The Ford Bronco Sport is predictably a bit stiff. This is not an uncommon ride profile for off-road SUVs. However, given that this is a unibody crossover and not a full-blown body-on-frame 4×4, this stiffness may turn from charmingly rugged to just plain annoying. 

As far as noise goes, the Bronco Sport does a surprisingly good job of isolating the driver from the road noise, but the engine sound can be a little grating. Lastly, the seats are confusing because the backs are comfy and wide, while the bottom is hard and stiff. This left CR testers feeling unsettled and ultimately uncomfortable. 

Why did the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport score so much worse than the 2021 Toyota RAV4?

Ultimately it all comes down to reliability. The 2021 Bronco Sport has already had so many issues. The Sport is really cool, and people will likely love it regardless of its Consumer Reports score, but it just isn’t that reliable in its current state. This is a tough blow especially considering the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport starts at $27,215 and tops out at $38,160. 

The 2021 Toyota RAV4, on the other hand, is simple and maybe even a bit plain. It is not going to fall on many people’s dream car list. However, it is practical and reliable. CR noted that some issues with the fuel system had been reported, but Toyota’s bulletproof engine and transmissions shine through this little crossover. Not to mention the higher-rated car is slightly more affordable, with a starting price of $26,350 and topping out at $37,430.

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Best Air Conditioned Lawn Mower Options for Your Lawn

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Summertime means extra lawn mowing for most people around the world. Are you considering getting an air conditioned lawn mower to keep you cool this summer? Keep reading to find more information about the air conditioned lawn mower cost and even an option from John Deere.

An air conditioned John Deere lawn mower, the John Deere 1585

A John Deere air conditioned lawn mower | John Deere

This John Deere lawn mower is more for commercial use but is within the same price range. The John Deere 1585 lawn mower has a fully enclosed cab with both air conditioning and heat. That means you can use it even when there is snow on the ground. A few options are available on the market that will run you between $25,000 and $30,000 for this fully loaded air conditioned lawn mower.

The John Deere lawnmower runs on diesel and has 37 hp. The John Deere ComfortCab keeps you safe from the elements and has a top speed of 15 mph. This lawnmower is fairly large and suitable for commercial use. If you are just mowing your personal yard in the suburbs, this one might be too large for such a job.

How much does an air conditioned lawn mower cost?

There are a few different air conditioned lawnmower options on the market, but how much does an air conditioned lawn mower cost? One option is by Cab-N-Air. This brand calls itself the world’s first air conditioned zero-turn mower cab. The Chiller has a 22,000 BTU air condition unit with a 39,000 BTU condenser. Even though it is a compact unit, this thing chills. Cab-N-Air says it is rugged, versatile, and sleek.

For clarification, the air conditioned cab is installed on a Ferris zero-turn mower. To get your hands on a 2100 model with a 52″ deck, the price is $24,500 plus shipping. Staying cool inside the cab and safe from heat, bugs, and humidity is worth the price. That makes this one of the best lawn mowers consumers can buy. Cab-N-Air is working on producing a larger Chiller option and hopes to have it out this fall. Keep an eye on the company’s Facebook page for updates.

Why not get an air conditioned cab to make your own?

Curtis Industries is offering a premium air-conditioned cab for the Kubota ZD1211 lawnmower. Curtis Industries isn’t making the lawnmower itself, but just the air-conditioned cab. So if you happen to have a Kubota ZD1211 lawnmower already, this cab fits those with either a 60″ or 72″ mower deck. That is for years 2016 or newer.

The cab is fully assembled upon purchase and made from lightweight aluminum. It is weather tight, fully sealed, hard-coated, and tinted. This one also protects from weather, bugs, heat, and humidity. Curtis Industries is offering the air conditioned cab for $9,375.00. If you need to buy the Kubota ZD1211 lawnmower first, that’ll cost you around $17,299.00. This is another lawnmower that is ready for larger yards. It might be too small for some commercial jobs.

The price of your new air conditioned lawn mower definitely depends on the job. If you are looking to keep your lawn tidy a few times a year, a full-sized commercial lawnmower probably isn’t necessary. However, the benefits definitely outweigh the drawbacks when it comes to air-conditioned lawnmowers. Staying out of the elements is extremely important these days and an air-conditioned cab does just that.

RELATED: Consumer Reports: Avoid the 2021 Chevrolet Blazer, Buy the 2021 Ford Edge Instead

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1 Man Drove Right Into a Pizzeria, Then Placed His Order From the Car Window

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Car accidents frequently happen worldwide. And sometimes, crashes occur in the most bizarre places in unique scenarios. Car safety statistics suggest roughly 20,000 accidents a year involve drivers crashing into buildings. That’s almost 60 building collisions every day.

One odd incident concerned a man who unwittingly drove his small car into a local pizzeria. And amid the chaos and destruction, he decided to place an order right from his car window.

A wrong turn right into a pizzeria

A pizzeria car crash in France in August 2017 similar to the one in Lincoln, Nebraska | Julien Mattia/NurPhoto via Getty Images

In 2013, an older man set out to drive into town to order himself a slice of pizza for lunch. But the Lincoln, Nebraska resident ran into a bit of trouble when his foot hit the gas pedal instead of the brake, Eater reported.

Instead of rolling to a stop in his chosen parking space, he inadvertently launched his car through the front door of Valentino’s pizzeria. Obviously, the crash caught everyone by surprise, including the driver and lunchtime patrons. But fortunately, no one was severely injured in the bizarre accident.

Might as well place an order

As the driver sat in his car, pizzeria patrons told him to wait for paramedics to arrive in case he had sustained injuries. From the driver’s seat of his white hatchback, the man figured he might as well go ahead and place his order. It was a good sign, indicating he was still coherent enough to have a chuckle and continue with his lunch plans.

Other reports said that because his car was so small, it fit through the front door without causing significant structural damage to the building. And as odd as this car accident sounds, it’s certainly not the first time a driver has crashed into a restaurant.

Other instances of restaurant car crashes

Just this summer alone, there have already been several car accidents involving drivers blasting into popular eateries. In Northmoor, Missouri, a man unexpectedly crashed his car into the China Gourmet restaurant after collecting his food. The driver mistook the gas pedal for the brake, Fox 4 reported.

And in a Kenosha, Wisconsin, Kenosha News reported a similar instance of a vehicle running into the side of La Fogata restaurant. Luckily, in both cases, no critical injuries were reported, and the buildings weren’t demolished.

Even Hollywood comedian George Lopez’s signature restaurant wasn’t safe from a wayward vehicle. Daily Mail reported the incident involving a 60-year-old man who ran a stop sign, hit another car, and spun, landing him in the front entrance of Lopez’s restaurant in Torrance, California. No patrons were hurt, but four people, including a pedestrian and both vehicle drivers, sustained moderate injuries. 

Though car accidents involving restaurants happen more often than you might think, it’s rare that the driver responsible for the crash orders from the eatery he wrecked. It’s a headline that might make you chuckle after knowing, of course, that everyone was OK. It’s a reminder to all drivers to be careful to use the correct pedal, stop at all stop signs, and be aware of their surroundings.

RELATED: An Alarming Number of Car Accidents Happen in Parking Lots

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