Riverside International Automotive Museum announced the arrival of the Dick Smith 427 Cobra, which is billed as the most important 427 Cobra in the country and “the winningest 427 Cobra produced.”
Riverside calls it the most significant 427 Cobra you will ever see and who are we to argue? In addition to winning many national and divisional championships in his Cobra, Dick Smith also set the record at the 1967 Daytona American Road Race of Champions for the fastest production sports car at 198.047 mph. Because of this, the car is also called the fastest 427 in the world.
The Dick Smith 427 Cobra now resides at the Riverside International Automotive Museum, which is open to the public 12 pm until 4 pm, Wednesday through Friday; 10am to 4pm on Saturdays. Suggested Admission is $5.00 and donations are welcome. The museum is located at 815 Marlborough Avenue, Suite 200 in Riverside, California.
For more information, visit riversideinternational.org or call (951) 369-6966.
[Source: RIAM]
I knew Dick Smith since the early 80s, a true gentleman and scholar. I’m glad his Cobra has a good home.
One of my favorite photos, riding shotgun at Sears Point:
http://www.norcal-saac.org/picoftheday/mn22-smith.jpg
Walt -
Great photo! Thanks for sharing.
SCD
My father raced with Mr. Smith and I am trying to contact family members because I have one of Dicks trophys from the 60 era…..Does anyone remember Al Cadrobbi???
Al, I saw where u were trying to get ahold of dicks family. Dick is my uncle, which family members would you like to get ahold of? Is son logan is on facebook also if you would like to contact him
If you would like to contact me my email is emtfiregirl7f112@yahoo.com
Logan my nephew and Dicks youngest son did not recieve anything after his fathers death and I have noticed that Dicks last wife is selling all of Dicks stuff on line. I do believe that Logan would be very appreciative of anything of his Fathers. I have the British Car magazine with Dick and my sister Carol (Dicks wife and Logans mom) were featured on the Mag very cool. I and all of my family have alot od Dicks tshirts and such and we would not give them up for anything in the world.
Anonymous–it is sad that Dick`s last wife -is well-getting all the “Glory” of selling Dick Smith`s “Hard-Earned” material-no matter how small or big it is—when there is others that have lost a “loved” one also.I do not know all the circumstances involed-BUT there is something “wrong” in this situation from where i sit————–
PS send me an e-mail on an item of Dick`s -i`d like to see————–Thanks
Dick Smith was a good friend of the family, we new him since late 70s. I remember my father had a big party before the PaloAlto Concours in which we stored this cobra as well as a GT40 mk 2 in our garage overnite. The next day after the show Dick and myself made a beer run in the cobra. He offered to let me drive but I foolishly declined. Great Guy.
Cheers Dve Day
Hi Dave; My cobra was also in your garage that nite,…..How is your dad?
Randy, Dad is doing good thx. No Shelby products anymore he is into old fat fendered hot rods. He lives in Grass Valley CA. Was your cobra white with blue stripes buy chance?
Cheers Dave Day
I met Dick Smith when I was about 9 years old. He gave me my first taste of beer (he had a tap in his kitchen!). He let me ride on a Yamaha 90 which I promptly drove into his porsche! Luckily, the fender was already dented. I was in awe of all of his trophies hanging on his walls.
When I ran into him (no pun intended) 20 years later at a Concours D’Elegance in Norther California, he remembered me. He was a truly classy guy and a great racer. I watched him drive #198 in historic races over the years as well. He will be missed. I’m glad his car is in a museum where lots of people can see the REAL 427 Cobra!
Twenty-five +/- years ago, I built a Porsche Speedster kit car. Rick Titus, who was working for Kit CAr magazine at the time, noticed my car at the Northern California Kit Car Show at Knott’s Berry Farm. I later got a call from the magazine inviting me to bring my car to Sears Point for a an article on Porsche kit cars.
There were three kit Porsches there and due to track insurance policies, only licensed race car drivers could drive on the track. The licensed drivers were rick Titus, Dan(?) Day and Dick Smith.
What a thrill it was to sitting next to Dick as he drove my little Speedster around the track. The article which appeared in the magazine was very comprehensive and featured the three cars on the cover while going around the track. My red Speedster was the lead car in the picture.
I’ll never forget that experience, nor will I ever forget what a truly nice person Dick was.
dick smith was my uncle i have a lot of memoreys in that car . im glad to here so many people love and respected my uncle for who he was and what he did in his racing career.last time knew the car was apraised in 1991 for 4.6 million . to know its in a museum is a great releif to me .i love and miss u uncle dick ….love matthew j reed.
Just saw the website. Wondered if hours, etc., are still valid. I was there opening day at Riverside, later when Penske won after he had a great time at Speed Week, Nausau. Was hooked on racing since I saw my first race in 1952 at Palm Springs airport. Saw all those great Miles/McAfee duels. What great days. Definately want to make it to the museum.
I have wondered what happened to his “Cobra”-I personally know that he wanted his “198 Cobra” to stay in AMERICA-Thank You Mrs.Dick [Heather] Smith.
I have a picture of Dick working on his Cobra—————
Dick loved the Ferrari Virginia City Hill climb and drove there several times
We became good friends in SCCA and Vintage races
I’m glad I never needed a “Bail Bond”
He was a real gentleman