Cheetah spotted

No, not a Spotted Cheetah.

Went to the Chatterbox Saturday night cruise here in NJ and saw a Cheetah. First one I think I've ever seen. Very, very cool. All other cars now look boring to me.

All my other Chatterbox photos HERE

Chatterbox:

Do you have more info on that? Is it corvette based or ???

Ya that is wild. Definitely checks all the right boxes for me! Not sure I would go with that green though.

The Cheetah was Corvette-powered, with a tube chassis, intended to compete with the Cobra.

Cool looking cars. Engine was set so far back, it had no driveshaft; tailshaft was coupled directly to the diff. Headers went over the driver's feet

How about a topless cheetah?

With the exception of the PT Cruiser, I could find a use for every vehicle in this photo.

oldtin wrote: How about a topless cheetah? With the exception of the PT Cruiser, I could find a use for every vehicle in this photo.

1) I would not have guessed it was a cheetah
2) I may like it more than the hard top

Definitely cool cars, although from what I've read they make a Cobra look "refined". Apparently, the originals were particularly scary in the handling dept. Fast as hell in a straight line... until the air got under them... I gather the continuation cars are improved.

They started reproducing Cheetahs a few years ago, so I suspect that this is one of those. I've seen a couple of real ones at vintage races. I think they're really cool looking, but, since you're almost sitting on the rear axle, I'd imagine that the ride would be torture.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Thomas_Cheetah

I've seen one at the races in Sonoma a couple of years ago. To put it mildly it looked like it was a bit of a handful to drive.

One of y favourite Hotwheels as a kid! Cartoon car to the max, and yet it WAS real.

I saw a Veloster(sp) in the parking lot today from the rear.

Rearview of the Cheeta in the picture above reminded me of it.

oldtin wrote: How about a topless cheetah? With the exception of the PT Cruiser, I could find a use for every vehicle in this photo.

That is awesome. I wonder if it was in a roll over of something so the owner decided to cut the top or what.

I don't see a PT in the picture though.

93EXCivic wrote:

oldtin wrote: How about a topless cheetah? With the exception of the PT Cruiser, I could find a use for every vehicle in this photo.

That is awesome. I wonder if it was in a roll over of something so the owner decided to cut the top or what. I don't see a PT in the picture though.

Here's a rear-view of a Cheetah vert:

The (alleged) PT is in the background, in front of the red canopy; looks more like an HHR to me, though .

You're right - HHR - I'd still pick the golf cart over it.

wild car. Engine bolted to the diff? berkeley....

I remember seeing these race in the mid 60's. They were couldn't compete directly against the cobras because they were not a mass produced car so ran as prototypes.

Looks like the convertibles are Bill Thomas continuation cars - in fiberglass - originals were aluminum.

May, 2009 SVRA Race at Road America. I like Cheetah's.

From the very beginning they've always been goofy looking, cartoonish cars and their level of fit and finish made a Cobra look luxurious.

I took this video with an older digital camera back in 2009 so I apologize for the crapiness but you get the general idea.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mo8Z55d3CvQ&feature=youtu.be

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1963-Bill-Thomas-Cheetah-All-Tooling-And-Exclusive-Rights-Produce-Manufacture-/330740002232?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item4d01a3edb8

You too can own a Cheetah and the tooling to make more and the rights to produce. Temptation.....

I'm like 15 miles from the Chatterbox. I gotta get there more often!

I've thought seriously of building a Cheetah with modern Corvette suspension and drivetrain. I would make it a little wider and longer and run a short driveshaft.

A topless Cheetah was raced back in the day. The car was so hot and the air pressure built up so much in the cabin that it was almost impossible to tolerate. If I remember correctly the hood and doors blew off of a coupe in competition. The cars were very light, I think 1550lbs.

I believe that the White car pictured is a body from Shell Valley. It's inspired by the Cheetah but in reality not very accurate. I'm sure that it's fun though.

93EXCivic wrote: I don't see a PT in the picture though.

middle of the pic, in front of the pink tent.