"Cheetah is back"

[mockingbird812]

Volume 1 - Issue 30 January 05, 2006
Classic Cars
Desert renegades
If your own a FoMoCo product and are looking for an excuse to visit Arizona in the spring, then mark your calendar for April 29. The Ford Arizona Proving Grounds in Yucca will be hosting an open house for all Ford brand car clubs. Although there is no admission fee, you must be affiliated with a car club in order to gain admittance. All Ford, Lincoln and Mercury cars and trucks, at least 25 years old, are invited.
Site tours of the proving grounds will be given and there will be several activities for kids. For more information, e-mail virgil.klein@thrivent.com or call 951-689-6656.
- By Richard Lentinello
Muscle Cars
The Cheetah is back

Bill Thomas' Chevrolet-powered, Cobra-hunting Cheetah is being brought back into production. Get on the list today.
photo courtesy Cheetahracecars.net
No, not the feline capable of 80 mph, but rather the original 1965 Cheetah by Bill Thomas. Like Carroll Shelby did with his continuation of the famed Cobra, the Cheetah will return in the same way.
Cheetahs were originally built in Anaheim, California, and were the brainchild of Bill Thomas, who was known as "Mr. Corvette," due to his prowess in extracting horsepower and handling from Chevrolet's two-seater.
The Cheetah was one slick cat, capable of 10-second quarter-mile times, courtesy of a 327-cu.in. Chevrolet punched out to 377-cu.in. which sat squarely in the center of the chassis. Atop the V-8 was a Thomas massaged Rochester fuel-injection unit, and he managed to squeeze about 520hp from these engines. The semi-space frame was built of 1.00- and 1.25-inch chrome-moly tubing with an independent front suspension utilizing 1962 Chevrolet spindles. The rear suspension used a modified 1963 Corvette assembly. Brakes were NASCAR-type drums.
Unfortunately, the Cheetah did not have nine lives after the factory burned to the ground in 1965. It is estimated that between 16 and 26 were built.
The car will reportedly be unveiled at the Russo and Steele auction in two weeks. For a sneak peek, check out: www.cheetahracecars.net
- By George Mattar