Join The World's Best Iconic & Vintage Car Community >>

Cobras—Then and Now

Sir John Whitmore at a Goodwood test day in August, behind the wheel of the Cobra GT he drove at East London, South Africa, in 1965.

In 1963, three Willment-run cars were taken to South Africa for the South African season—a Lotus Cortina, a Ford Galaxie and the Cobra GT I am running at the Goodwood Revival in 2004!

There were several drivers and we used to just switch drivers and switch races. I drew the “short straw” at East London and got the Cobra for that race. I won the race but I remember that the car that finished 2nd was an MGA, and I was quite a long way in front of it—I sort of drove with my elbow out the window. At least when I come to drive it again at Goodwood, I can remember it very well. That was the only race I did with that car, which remained in South Africa. Bobby Olthoff owned it and did a number of races with it.

Become a Member & Get Ad-Free Access To This Article (& About 6,000+ More)

Access to the full article is limited to paid subscribers only. Our membership removes most ads, lets you enjoy unlimited access to all our premium content, and offers you awesome discounts on partner products. Enjoy our premium content.

Become a member today!

Already a Member?