Video: The beautiful growl of a V8 Cheetah
The Bill Thomas Cheetah was arguably one of the most all-American 1960s sportscars that ever existed. Developed from entirely homegrown components to rival Carroll Shelby's Cobra, it featured a front/mid-mounted engine atop a tube chassis and under a fibreglass body. In total, 10 cars were completed, some seeing moderate racing success, while others were converted to road-going models.
A host of replicas have been produced since, and the Cheetah seen here on the historic Linas-Montlhéry track is in fact one of those very cheaters. Powered by a Chevy Corvette V8, the reproduction model competed during the ‘Les Grandes Heures Automobiles’ event back in 2015. Listen to its fantastic growl as it flies around the banked concrete circuit – itself as rare are the car.
Reckon you could tell the real deal and the replica apart? Climb aboard an original Cheetah in testing for the 75th Members’ Meeting...
Welcome to Goodwood Elevenses, a mid-morning helping of motoring-related amusement to help break up your day. Watch the last video: The 550 Prodrive screams the way a Ferrari V12 should
Elevenses
Video
On track
Bill Thomas
Cheetah
Linas-Montlhéry
