A common metric for determining a car’s attractiveness is the dash-to-axle ratio. Defined as the distance between the forward most point of the windshield and the front axle when viewed from the side, as a general rule, the greater the distance, the more alluring and exotic the vehicle in question is. And if we take that into account, very few cars come close to Bill Thomas’ Cheetah Coupé.
Built in secrecy as Chevrolet’s unofficial answer to the Shelby Cobra — GM had placed a ban on corporate racing in 1963 — the Cheetah was designed as an uncompromising sports racer destined to dominate the SCCA. Weighing just 816 kg and powered by a Corvette-sourced 327 cubic inch (5.4-litre) V8 mounted behind the front axle for a front-mid engine configuration, the 180mph Cheetah made 1964’s season its hunting ground, setting speed records at Elkhart Lake and winning 11 races that year. However, the Cheetah’s time in the sun was short lived; by 1965 the FIA’s homologation rules increased the production minimum from 100 to 1,000 units, a figure that the Cheetah fell far short of.
In total, around two dozen Cheetahs were ever built, of which only 12 were fully completed as turnkey cars by Bill Thomas Race Cars. This particular example, chassis 069, was the final Cheetah ever completed and remains in outstanding original condition throughout, thanks to the diligent care of its four previous custodians. If you think you have the skills to tangle with this Cheetah on the road or track, then don’t miss out on Gooding Christie’s upcoming Pebble Beach sale on August 15th!
Pebble Beach, 15 Aug
