Ivan Tampi's '01 Cobra catches everyone in its trap.
writer: Frank H. Cicerale
photographer: Peter S. Linney
Considered the most venomous spider in northern America, the black widow is one arachnid you don't want to tangle with. While it's small, it packs a mighty big punch when it catches victims in its web. The same can be said about Ivan Tampi's '01 Cobra.
Ivan, owner of ITC Motoring, bought his '01 snake, the 177th to roll out of the SVT shop, brand-new. Even though the Cobra was a bit more powerful than its GT brethren, it was like a baby black widow that just hatched. The car screamed potential, and Ivan listened. "As soon as I got it, I started modifying it," he says.
With ITC being the manufacturer of the Black Widow body kits, it was only natural for the growth of the venomous Stang to start on the outside before making its way under the hood. Ivan walked into the warehouse, and, since this mighty little Pony would be the showcase for all things ITC, picked out only the best parts and pieces. With items in hand, he cruised the drop-top Cobra over to Auto Explosion, where the crew ditched the stock front and rear bumpers, hood, and rear spoiler. In their places went Black Widow urethane front and rear bumpers, a ram-air hood, and an ABS-plastic rear spoiler. Completing the Black Widow kit were the side skirts and tonneau cover, thus giving the Mustang a speedster look. The Stang was then brought down to primer before House of Colors Cosmic Red paint was sprayed onto the flanks. Once the basecoat was dry, marbleized grey graphics outlined with orange pinstriping and a slick clearcoat completed the suck-you-in visual aspect of the car.
More so than a coupe, a convertible's interior accents are vital to the overall look because it's so easy to zoom in on the cockpit and the control devices. Not to be outdone in that aspect of the maturation of the Stang, Ivan enlisted the help of Chuy's Interior to help liven up the Cobra's cabin. The interior artists at Chuy's ditched the factory seats, replacing them with Misano buckets complete with chrome brackets. Before the seats were bolted to the floorboards, however, they received a full treatment of black carbon-fiber vinyl with red stitching and embroidery. Replacing the factory dash is a Woodview chrome dash kit, while the stock steering wheel was pitched in favor of an Isotta Katiena gripper.
Since we live in an audio world as well as a visual one, Ivan wanted the tunes to be heard by those residing in the four-corners area of the Southwest. A Clarion CD/DVD head unit made its way into the dash along with 7-inch monitors located in the sunvisors. In addition, an 11-inch monitor was set up in the trunk. Alumapro 12-inch subwoofers thump the base, Oz mid- and high-range speakers blast the treble, and MC Chintos amplifiers enhance the tunes. All of the stereo work was done by Ivan.
The Stang isn't all show and no go, however. With the looks taken care of, Ivan popped the Black Widow hood and looked around in search of horsepower. The quest for more oomph ended when a Vortech S-Trim blower was linked to the stock 4.6-liter modular powerplant. The Vortech computer program and aftercooler makes sure the maximum amount of power is produced from each combustion event. The exhaust fumes exit the cylinders at high speed thanks to JBA mid-length headers. As if the 550-plus horsepower at his right foot wasn't enough, Ivan hooked up a Nitrous Express kit for extra kick. A UPR shifter actuates the gears of the stock six-speed that's linked to the factory IRS rear.
Model Sabrina Couture
Finishing the look and functionality of the Stang is the rolling stock it rides on. Stuffed inthe fenderwells are chrome GFG Beverly Hills wheels, 19x9 inches front and 19x11 inches rear. Wrapped in Pirelli P-Zero Rosso tires, the front meats are sized 255/35/19 while the backs measure 295/30/19. An impressive set of shoes indeed.
"I designed the body kit, so the body styling is the part of the car I like the best," Ivan says. "I've never raced it, but it does have a lot of power. It's mainly a show car that has won a lot of awards." Surely this Black Widow's web will capture more than accolades.