Yes, the R has its roots in the Shelby R-Models, but maybe ford wanted to show the Import companies what a real "R" car is!
And it doesnt hang with just any Vet. Its made to compete with the ZO-6. And depending on which magazines you read, The Cobra R succedded. Popular Mechanics, it was the ZO-6, MotorTrend it was the Cobra R, and I cant remember Road and Track and Car & Drivers head to head. One of them had the Cobra R edging the Vet, and opposite for the other.
I'd like Ford to Give me a Cobra R for a weekend so I can hunt a ZO-6, and see which magazine is right. Anyone from FORD Corp here?
I'd give up a stereo and AC for that performance and styling. I used my AC once so far, and I prefer the melody of a thumping V8 to any Thumping tune anyday.

But then people tell me I'm strange like that.