View Full Version : Norm Gray- Motion prepped 289 Cobra?
old5.0
02-17-2011, 05:14 PM
While researching a different topic, I heard about a 289 Cobra campaigned in NHRA Sports classes in the mid-late 60's by a gentleman named Norm Gray. The car was supposedly tuned by Joel. Anyone ever heard that story?
Xplantdad
02-17-2011, 06:54 PM
http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/archive/index.php?t-21324.html
Appears to be the same Cobra that was recently at MCACN?
Copy and paste the picture link into your browser(that's at the top of the archive of the web page linked) <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif
olredalert
02-17-2011, 07:40 PM
----Bruce,,,If its the King Cobra you are talking about, its a 427 not a 289.......Bill S
Xplantdad
02-17-2011, 09:46 PM
Bill, the reference to Mr Gray and the link that I posted shows the 427 car...LOL <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif
Pulnaway
02-17-2011, 11:06 PM
Old 5.0....It is my understanding that the Norman Gray that owned the 289 cobra is the same guy known in the 80s/90s PRO 5.0 wars ( STORMAN NORMAN GRAY ) He lives in Fla. now. I think I have a pic of his Cobra...I will check.
old5.0
02-18-2011, 08:47 AM
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pulnaway</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Old 5.0....It is my understanding that the Norman Gray that owned the 289 cobra is the same guy known in the 80s/90s PRO 5.0 wars ( STORMAN NORMAN GRAY ) He lives in Fla. now. I think I have a pic of his Cobra...I will check. </div></div>
Yep, that's him. Stormin Norman.
A few years ago, I started to gather all the information I could on what I consider the "heyday" of 5.0 Mustang racing and the evolution of the aftermarket through that time period, from 1987 until roughly 1999, when things really started to get out of hand. I've also been working on documenting the ultimate fate of as many of the well known race cars and magazine test cars as I can.
Anyway, while I have been in contact with a few of the big names of the period, I haven't had the opportunity to speak to Mr. Gray as of yet. I always knew he had been in the game long before the 5 liter phenomenon, but I wasn't aware of a possible Motion connection until just a few days ago.
If you could post a pic of his Cobra, that would great. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif
old5.0
02-18-2011, 08:51 AM
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Xplantdad</div><div class="ubbcode-body">http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/archive/index.php?t-21324.html
Appears to be the same Cobra that was recently at MCACN?
Copy and paste the picture link into your browser(that's at the top of the archive of the web page linked) <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif </div></div>
Xplant-
Thanks for finding that link. That is indeed Clem Hoppe's 427 car. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif
Xplantdad
02-18-2011, 02:56 PM
<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif
Pulnaway
02-22-2011, 06:01 PM
Tony, I cant seem to find the pick, but i did come accross a photo that looks to be a photo of Joels car before it was painted gold. Its painted up like a dragon snake and lists the owner as Jack Rosen. I can e-mail it to you if you would like.
old5.0
02-22-2011, 09:40 PM
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pulnaway</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Tony, I cant seem to find the pick, but i did come accross a photo that looks to be a photo of Joels car before it was painted gold. Its painted up like a dragon snake and lists the owner as Jack Rosen. I can e-mail it to you if you would like. </div></div>
Scott, that's okay. This was really just curiosity on my part. Thanks very much for looking, though. I appreciate it. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif
1970Bluel78
02-24-2011, 02:01 PM
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: old5.0</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pulnaway</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Old 5.0....It is my understanding that the Norman Gray that owned the 289 cobra is the same guy known in the 80s/90s PRO 5.0 wars ( STORMAN NORMAN GRAY ) He lives in Fla. now. I think I have a pic of his Cobra...I will check. </div></div>
Yep, that's him. Stormin Norman.
A few years ago, I started to gather all the information I could on what I consider the "heyday" of 5.0 Mustang racing and the evolution of the aftermarket through that time period, from 1987 until roughly 1999, when things really started to get out of hand. I've also been working on documenting the ultimate fate of as many of the well known race cars and magazine test cars as I can.
Anyway, while I have been in contact with a few of the big names of the period, I haven't had the opportunity to speak to Mr. Gray as of yet. I always knew he had been in the game long before the 5 liter phenomenon, but I wasn't aware of a possible Motion connection until just a few days ago.
If you could post a pic of his Cobra, that would great. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif </div></div>
I used to go to E Town with Lee Rutter. One of the big players of the 5.0 movement at the time. He still lives in NY. He races some sort of BMW from time to time...
old5.0
02-24-2011, 09:33 PM
Oh yes, Lee used to show up in all the magazines on a monthly basis back in the good old days.
I've always thought it was cool that the NYC/New Jersey area seemed to be the epicenter of street racing activity back in the 60's (although the area didn't get the marketing push of Detroit), and then, years later, the 5 liter thing got it's start in the same area, concurrently with the D/FW and Houston areas.
vBulletin® v3.8.11, Copyright ©2000-2025, vBulletin Solutions Inc.