Cramped Quarters
There are limited options for speaker locations in a Cobra. The car's small kick panels provided a bit of room and the installers took full advantage of every square inch. "The car is a showcase of our installation skills, and these speakers, both the coaxials and the midbass speakers, really show what we can do," Johnson says.
The Pioneer TS-D161R REV coax speakers rest in custom-made kick panels covered in Ultraleather. An inset panel, covered in Ultrasuede, supports each 6 1/2" speaker. Since the drivers are mounted from the back, no mounting screws are visible.
The two Focal 5" woofers also have a custom location. The installers removed the emergency brake from between the seats and created a slick-looking fiberglass and MDF enclosure. The entire piece, which provides about a half cubic foot of enclosure space, can easily be removed, if necessary.
"We chose the Focal speakers for a couple of reasons," explained Johnson. "We had to have a small speaker in this location because space is very limited, and this is a very high-quality small woofer. Also, the Focal speakers visually match the Pioneer REVs' [cosmetics], even though they are made by different companies."
Fit To Thrill
Johnson admits that he rarely drives the car. It is a "trailer queen" that he uses at auto shows to promote the handiwork of his schools. "We take the car to lots of shows and it always draws a crowd," says Johnson. "That's when the audio system is important. We crank it up and let people enjoy it. It's an open-top car so the sound projects out pretty well." So, whether standing still or roaring down the highway, this Cobra makes a noise that people love to hear.
Under The Hood
* Powermaster Motorsports chrome alternator
* Edelbrock Performer RPM aluminum heads and air gap intake
* Billet pulley system, aluminum water pump
* Chrome valve covers-engine block painted to match
King Cobra
Since the early 1960s Cobras have been king of the sports car world. The first Cobras were imported from Great Britain in 1962. They were a variation of the British Ace sports car but packed a larger 260 V8 engine. Later, the car was beefed up with a 289 V8. Then came the legendary 427 Cobra with modified suspension and more muscular bodywork. That version of the Cobra won dozens of races and set 23 national and international speed records at the Bonneville Salt Flats. The original Cobra's sold for a mere $6,000. Today, an authentic Cobra will fetch up to $200,000. Replicas of the Cobra typically sell for $30,000 to $100,000 depending on modifications.
Two Focal 5" woofers are featured in an enclosure designed to fit the snug confines of the Cobra. The space for the midbass speakers was created by moving the emergency brake. The 0.5ft3 enclosure provides ample support for the powerful Focals.
The interior of Dave Johnson's 1967 Cobra is completely unique and a thing of beauty. Ultrasuede, Ultraleather, snakeskin and a bit of chrome combine to create a visually stunning display. "It's some type of sea snake," says Johnson about the upholstery. "We wanted to use cobra skin, but cobra doesn't wear very well."