When we first reported on the Shell Valley Cheetah kit back in November 2002, the only example we had seen was the first prototype. Since that time Shell Valley has been developing the kit to make it even better than it was. We recently had the opportunity to take a closer look at a current example to see the improvements first hand.
A quick glance inside and the new dash immediately grabs your attention. While the first kits had flat dashboards with angular edges, the latest design is more rounded and finished. Up front, Shell Valley has opened up the grille for better cooling and a more aggressive look.
The wheel openings have been reworked for a more styled look, too. An "eyebrow" has been added to the top of each flare for extra tire clearance, plus the rear fender flare has been subtly reshaped at the bottom for a smoother curvature. The original Cheetahs had a roughly squared off flare, so purists may be less thrilled than stylists, but the new version certainly looks better.
The Cheetah is a small car, and accommodations can be cramped for taller drivers. To this end Shell Valley has made the doors deeper, with shorter sills to make getting in and out easier. Plus the driver side footbox has been lengthened to accommodate even 6'2" drivers and the floors have been lowered so you sit further down in the car. On the technical side, the driveshaft tunnel has been raised to accommodate more rear axle windup.
Although we haven't seen it yet, Shell Valley is in the final stages of developing a removable hardtop for the Cheetah, for those who hate getting wet. Painted a menacing midnight blue metallic and decorated with decals, number balls and lettering, this version looked like it was ready for track work.
Shell Valley uses a 2x4-inch rectangular steel frame that is similar to the ones they slip under their Cobra replicas. Up front are tubular A-arms and coil-over shock assemblies, while a nine-inch Ford live axle (with limited slip) hangs in back from a Shell Valley-fabricated four-link setup. Brakes are eleven-inch discs all around.
Wheels of choice are American Torque-Thrust 5-spoke mags (8 inches wide in front and 10 inches in back), which are the same models used on the originals. This example was wearing Goodrich TAs, 235/60-15 in front and 295/50 in back.
The Shell Valley bodies are a mixture of fiberglass and Kevlar, and are delivered in sandable primer. This car was painted by Shell Valley East in PPG two-stage paint. The interior is finished in black vinyl, and the padded Grant steering wheel has a period-perfect feel.
For snake-stomping power, Shell Valley opted for a '68 350 Chevy wearing ported and polished cast-iron heads. With a Comp Cam hydraulic bumpstick, roller rockers, and Keith Black 12.5:1 pistons it produces over 400 hp. A single-plane Air Gap manifold mounts a 750-cfm Edelbrock carburetor. This impressive mill is backed up with a five-speed T-5 tranny.
Shell Valley sells Cheetahs in kit and turnkey-minus form. The latter versions are assembled at Shell Valley East, and start at $26,900 painted in your choice of colors and striping. All you add are the engine, tranny and driveshaft. Kits start at $15,990, so the choice is up to you. You can see more on their products at www.shellvalley.com. The Cheetah of your dreams just got better!