50-year Celebration of “Hey Little Cobra”

My introduction to this little race car was when my old friend, Paul Petersen, had one. Now, over fifty-years later, we’re still celebrating it’s classic body… and it holds up next to any Ferrari or Lamborghini, in my book!

On display at the 4th Annual Collector Car Show in Simi Valley were at least a dozen immaculate Cobras. Thanks go out to Skeeter Rader and LuCindi Templeton for inviting me to attend. And, a huge hug to Richie Rotkin of The Rip Chords (Hey Little Cobra) for backing me up on Muscle Bustle and It Only Hurts When I Cry.


Here I’m pictured during the filming of Bikini Beach with a Dean Jeffries creation known as the Mantaray.  Built in 1964, it was featured in the film and used as the tow vehicle by “Potato Bug” at the drag strip.  The car still exists and is shown at custom car shows around the United States.  It was built on a Maserati chassis and used a Cobra engine.  Click on the picture and you’ll see the “COBRA” valve covers.
(Thank you, Mike Brown for your research.)

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2 Responses to 50-year Celebration of “Hey Little Cobra”

  1. Sixties Beach Movie Fan says:

    Hey Donna !

    Car crazy cuties loving the California sun and the Little Cobras !
    Oh Wow ! What a great car show with out of site sixties music !

    Car Crazy Cutie – The Beach Boys
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpx3P1z-g-U&list=PLsiXSKT0RbYi1TLKvwrM-bYADsc3DRB9v
    Drag City – Jan and Dean
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2GwDGjiV4k
    Little GTO – Ronnie And The Daytonas
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6c-bGVt3Pp8
    SS396 – Paul Revere and The Raiders
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHevollKg9k
    Little Deuce Coupe – The Beach Boys
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwgGuadsqyo
    Hey Little Cobra – The Rip Chords
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oc6FmZCT0Zc
    She Can’t Find Her Keys – Paul Petersen – Shindig
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImimMIRrQMw
    Muscle Bustle – Dick Dale and Donna Loren – Muscle Beach Party
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MThUNudOWs8
    Donna Loren “It Only Hurts When I Cry” Beach Blanket Bingo
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4thY-wyuP00
    Dick Dale and The Deltones Muscle Beach Party
    Surfer’s Holiday – Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tr2B2u_8cro

  2. Sharon Baxter says:

    Donna, I remember as soon as I saw your movies I was in the Texas stores looking for clothes you wore and swim suits!!! Lol lol.. Good Luck, Sharon

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