Super Cheetah - Rare Finds
Bill Thomas’ Cheetah operation in Anaheim, California, was very short-lived, starting in January 1964. Robert called the Cheetah a “top secret program” funded clandestinely by Chevrolet to compete against Shelby’s Cobra. Chevrolet “pulled the plug” in May 1964 after production and sale of a mere 23 Cheetahs. All were coupes, 21 built in fiberglass and two in aluminum. Most were powered by fuel-injected 327s, but some used 377s, and one car even came with a 396.
Mscp 1206 427 Super Cheetah Rare Finds 002.jpg 4/6 The Super Cheetah was a full foot longer than the regular production Cheetah upon which it was based.
Thomas didn’t kill the Cheetah immediately. He had planned a Super Cheetah, powered by a 427 NASCAR-bred big-block. The body was 3 inches wider, 2 inches taller, and a foot longer with similar front and sides but a totally different rear. How many did they build?
“Just one. This is it, the aluminum car,” Robert says.
Thomas never did complete the build to turnkey status. The good news is Robert has the car exactly as it was when work stopped in July 1964.
Bill Thomas’ Cheetah operation in Anaheim, California, was very short-lived, starting in January 1964. Robert called the Cheetah a “top secret program” funded clandestinely by Chevrolet to compete against Shelby’s Cobra. Chevrolet “pulled the plug” in May 1964 after production and sale of a mere 23 Cheetahs. All were coupes, 21 built in fiberglass and two in aluminum. Most were powered by fuel-injected 327s, but some used 377s, and one car even came with a 396.
Mscp 1206 427 Super Cheetah Rare Finds 002.jpg 4/6 The Super Cheetah was a full foot longer than the regular production Cheetah upon which it was based.
Thomas didn’t kill the Cheetah immediately. He had planned a Super Cheetah, powered by a 427 NASCAR-bred big-block. The body was 3 inches wider, 2 inches taller, and a foot longer with similar front and sides but a totally different rear. How many did they build?
“Just one. This is it, the aluminum car,” Robert says.
Thomas never did complete the build to turnkey status. The good news is Robert has the car exactly as it was when work stopped in July 1964.
