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​Cruisin’ in a Cobra Killer 

10/26/2016

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By Brett Hickman

I’ve written about Mike Bell’s three Corvettes of three different generations as a whole. However, his 1963 Stingray coupe is a special and rare car that deserves more attention of its own.

This car, which Mike calls Miss Blue Bell, is a replica of the 1963 Corvette Grand Sport Cobra Killer and is highly sought after as only five were produced. They were manufactured to compete against Carroll Shelby’s Ford Cobra sports cars. 

Miss Blue Bell is street legal, but everything about this Corvette is pure race car … just like the five original Grand Killers.

Mike’s is an authentic production run car, which he says now is “old-school, modern tech.” It has been taken apart down to the frame then rebuilt on an all-tube chassis racing frame with an 18-point roll cage. The original big block engine was replaced with a 700 horsepower Dart SB big block 427 Stroker engine with a Hogan sidetrack fuel injection intake, headers and dual exhaust. 

The engine is mated to a six-speed transmission with a Dana 3:73:1 rear gear and an axle with a 1989 Corvette ZR1 active hydraulic suspension. 

Its original bucket seats were replaced with G-Force racing seats and a five-point safety harness. The dashboard was replaced with an all-aluminum racing dash with all gauges. It’s also equipped with racing hydraulic air brakes, which are adjustable on the console. 

The original Cobra Killers came with two available racing hoods, either the European or Daytona, which differed in having louvres or air-induction scoops, respectively. Mike has the Daytona raised hood.

Miss Blue Bell is occasionally driven on the street and is frequently entered in SCCA road races. It has taken top honors in various car shows. 
​
Mike is a 38-year member of the SCCA and National Council of Corvette Clubs of America. He’s also a member of the Hoosier and Shriners Corvette clubs.
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Cruising to Fortville, Ind. 

10/19/2016

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By Bill Thorpe

​The Indiana bicentennial torch relay passed through the lovely town of Fortville over the weekend. Theresa Werking and her team from the city’s action committee organized a classic car show and cruise-in to celebrate the occasion.

About 100 cruisers from across the state gathered to see the marching band and torch relay.

Several years ago a small number of cruisers started showing up Wednesday evenings on Main Street in Fortville. They had heard about the great softball-sized ice cream offerings at the local Indulge Cafe and just started meeting there during nice weather. They asked the local businesses if they could bring more of their car buddies to park along Main Street. And soon it became a local tradition and economic boon to this small rural town.

The town now sponsors an annual Cruise on Main car show each year the weekend after Labor Day as noted in the “Indiana Tour Guide.” Fortville has a park and can accommodate more than 300 classic cars. They also host a winter festival the first weekend in December each year.

Werking suggests that cruisers check out her short video on Facebook at Fortville Action Inc. to see for themselves the friendly atmosphere being provided for the classic car community in her beloved town.
Until next time, happy cruising!
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