Learning and Teaching 

Building Your Own Car - Learning from an Expert

Last Monday, the Year 5/6s went to learn about cars for STEM Challenge Day. We met up with Gregg, who is also Mrs Gridley’s brother in law and he recreated the Shelby Cobra. Fourteen years ago he began building the car, recreating the Shelby Cobra took over two years. It took him approximately 500 hours to create it with his three sons. In addition to this the total cost of making the Cobra, it was approximately $65,000. He told us all about the original, which was made in 1965-1967 and all about his experiences whilst making it. Two thousand of the original model were made and were sold for approximately $5,000 and now the original is worth about 2 million dollars. We asked many questions about different parts of the car as well as his experience racing with the car on race tracks across Australia. Interestingly enough, Gregg drove his Shelby Cobra in the 2022 Grand Prix Parade located in Albert Park. He drove Kevin Magnussen, the Danish race driver around the track. Learning about building cars from Gregg has inspired us all for our STEM Challenge day in two weeks.

By Sienna - 5/6A

Cobra Car Visit Reflection

At school today we went down to the car park to meet our special visitor, Gregg, who is Mrs Gridley’s brother in-law, and he came to show us to his replica 427 Shelby Cobra. It was a beautiful car and it could honestly fool someone to think it’s a real 427 cobra. A few people, including myself, got to sit inside. On the dashboard there were several dials for multiple things like fuel, temperature, oil, petrol and more. There were also the standard things for a car like a steering wheel, pedals and a huge exhaust pipe. But what I found most interesting was there was no door handle, it was a wire that you pulled to unlock the 

door. We were able to ask questions about the car, some of the questions were “How much does the real car cost?” which Greg answered “$2 million”. Somebody else asked “How long did it take to build?” which Greg answered, “Two years with the help of his sons”. Overall it was a really fun experience, especially due to the fact that I was lucky enough to sit inside the car, but besides that it was a really cool experience giving us information, as well as inspiration. We all owe Greg a huge thank you for being able to come down to our school. I really do hope the other Year 5/6‘s enjoyed it as much as I did. 

By James 5/6A

The Cobra Car

As I turned the corner slowly I saw the 1965 car. It was a replica Shelby Cobra. I didn’t think it would be life size, I thought it would be a toy car: a small one. I was amazed you could even ride in it. Astonished by the car, I didn’t get inside, but some other people did and said the seats are like marshmallows; all soft.  I wanted to experience that too, but I didn’t get picked. Learning the car's back story was very interesting. One of the things Gregg said was that it took him 500 hours to build the car in over two years. I am excited for our STEM Challenge Day now when we get to build our own cars.

By Miranda

STEM Day visit with Gregg

On the 31st of August Mrs Gridley's brother in law Gregg showed us the car he made. Gregg made a 427 Shelby Cobra replica. He told us that it took him 2 years to build and 500 hours! He also told us he has been in a Grand Prix parade before. He said that an original built in 1965 during that time would go for a couple thousand dollars versus now they go for 2 million dollars! When he made the car he made it with his three sons at the time who helped him do the engine. I learned that to make the replica it cost him $65,000 and every night after work he would work on the car until 1am. It can go up to 210 km per hour. It was a great experience.

By Trinity

St John's STEM Challenge Day - 15 Sept

St John's Art Show - Save the Date!