I registered for the London Cobra Show as Bryan “Boom Boom” Marshall, not knowing that it would be  the sound my engine would be making. I had a wonderful 225 mile drive to the show from my home in Southern Indiana, just across from Louisville, Ky.

It was a beautiful sunny trip in my 2007 Mark 5 AC. The car is unusual in that it was one of only 3 cars built at the AC plant in Malta.   Then the A C  plant closed.  I have serial number COB 10003 the last one built!

I purchased the car in L.A. from a wealthy Hotel/Restaurant owner who imported the car from England. I traveled to meet my buddies from the Ky Cobra Club.  AJ,  Sam, and Juan attended and arrived the day before on Thursday.   As it was my first (not last) visit to the London Show. I enjoyed all of the events and people attending.

On my way back to the Hotel from Saturday afternoon show.  I was in 6th gear cruising in a line of Cobras running down the expressway.  Then the motor went Boom-Boom and then Oil and Smoke…. Lots of smoke. I shut it down and coasted to the edge of the road.  Sam Jackson was in front and stopped along with 10 other Cobra owners. They all  helped me with the car until the problem was solved.  One fellow got me a cold water while another one started tracking down a trailer to come and pick me up.  I was really in a state of shock as the $21 K dollar motor had only 1100 miles and later found out that I broke 2 rods and shoved them through the block.

Not thinking as I should.  I did not get the names of all the men who helped.  I did however, get the card of John Takvorian Cambrdge, MA. Who unloaded his car from his trailer and came 20 miles to load my car and get me back  to the Hotel.  I had never met John and his crew. He would not even take a tip for helping me.

In the meantime Juan and Sam were on the phone with Eric from Performance Engineering  to transport my car to Ross, OH.  Where it stayed while  I waited for a new engine.

The engine that blew was in the car when I purchased it so, who knows why it blew.

I will say with the new  347 stroker it’s back to Vroom Vroom from Boom Boom.

I want to thank the guys who helped and perhaps call the award the “Broken Piston Trophy.  Broken but not beaten, awarded to those who go out of their way to help a fellow Cobra enthusiast vehicle in trouble and helped me go from Boom Boom to Vroom Vroom, once again!”

BRYAN MARSHALL
JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA
KENTUCKY COBRA CLUB MEMBER