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CC Advertisers
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For Sale By
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Views
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Date Posted
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Walt Tomsic
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6603
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Fri June 14, 2013
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Asking Price
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Condition
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$44,995.00
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Excellent
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Description:
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Offered for sale is this great looking and beautifully built AC289 replica. Designed to match the look of the British and Continental European version of the 289 Cobra, the car is purpose-built for comfortable and economical touring (runs fine on mid-octane pump gas). The more vintage English look, with its under-car exhaust, luggage rack, wire wheels and lack of hood scoops and racing stripes distinguishes it from the 427 style Cobra.
To make it more drivable, I had a professionally built Ford 302 installed (full specs and additional photos on request) mated to a custom built T-5 with a tall ratio "overdrive" 5th gear. Upgraded components include an oil cooler, large capacity radiator, electronic ignition and HD disc brakes. The car is set up for a roll bar which I will provide along with a custom made tonneau, side curtains and top bows.
While certainly not slow, the car is a pleasure to drive. . . smooth running, easy shifting, low revving at speed (2Krpm @ 65mph) and quiet enough to allow conversation. . . until you stand on it of course. The footwell has been widened to provide more room between pedals and there is little or no engine heat in the cockpit. The operating temp stays at 180º and a switch operated electric fan keeps the temp down when in stop-and-go city traffic. With its Jaguar independent rear suspension, handling is similar to an XKE. . . surprisingly comfortable for a car that carves corners so well.
This is an absolutely "no needs, get in and go" car that is garaged and not driven in adverse weather. Factory assembled in 2005 (turn key, not a kit), the car cost the original owner $75K . Considering the modifications I have made, my asking price is about half what it would cost to have the car built today. . . not to mention the 18-month to 2-year wait. Were it not for my lack of garage space and the fact that I have inherited an Austin-Healey 100, I would not consider selling this exceptional car.
The car is located in Bend, OR and is garaged and on a lift which will allow inspection of the undercarriage. If you prefer the more understated English 289 style, they are rare... one of this quality, even more so. $44,995 OBO, 541-389-6545
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Keywords:
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AC289 Unique European Touring Style Turnkey
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Author
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SunDude
CC Member
Registered: July 2006
Location: Ottawa
Posts: 1622
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Comment Date: Fri June 14, 2013
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Nice-looking car.
Who is the manufacturer? Unique Motorcars?
------------------------------
"Anyone who drives faster than you is a Maniac,
and anyone who drives slower is an Idiot." - George Carlin
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Walt Tomsic
CC Member
Registered: August 1999
Location: Bend
Posts: 165
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Comment Date: Fri June 14, 2013
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Yes. It was built as a turn key in 2005.
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Bend, Oregon
Former owner of "Crosley" the slabside, current owner of "Roswell" the 327 powered Healey 100
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750hp
CC Member
Registered: November 1999
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posts: 4381
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Comment Date: Fri June 14, 2013
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A lovely understated Cobra, and a V8 Healey. Nice combination!!!
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Craig
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froggyman
CC Member
Registered: October 2003
Location: Louisville
Posts: 517
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Comment Date: Sun June 16, 2013
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This car looks amazingly close to one that was built for me by Unique Motorcars out of Gadsden, Alabama in 2005 also, with Dayton Wire wheels just like this one. The color, Light Toreador Red Metallic looked just like this one. I sold it to a Dr in New Jersey and then he sold it at the Mecum Auction in Indianapolis and then to someone out in the Pacific Northwest. This car looks so close to mine I would swear it is the same car. The engine I had it custom built as a DSS Racing 331 stroker with about 500 hp. Mine had a roll bar originally, this one looks like it does not have one or had the FIA roll bar it came with removed. I am so sorry to have sold it to people who obviously had no idea what they got. If this was my car even the very RARE Original Holman Moody valve covers have been removed. Sad to see. Looks like they kept the Air Cleaner the engine came with.
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Juan Lopez-Bonilla
Kentucky Cobra Club
2432 Crittenden Drive, Suite 201
Louisville, KY 40217
http://www.kentuckycobraclub.com
juan@lbrdesign.com
502-558-2904
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
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froggyman
CC Member
Registered: October 2003
Location: Louisville
Posts: 517
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froggyman
CC Member
Registered: October 2003
Location: Louisville
Posts: 517
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froggyman
CC Member
Registered: October 2003
Location: Louisville
Posts: 517
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Walt Tomsic
CC Member
Registered: August 1999
Location: Bend
Posts: 165
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Comment Date: Mon June 17, 2013
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Juan... it is the same car. The original engine/transmission setup was more track oriented rather than being suited to touring... which is what I prefer. The 331 stroker -- a great engine for what it was intended -- was simply too thirsty to be economical on long drives. The excessive noise, cam lope and need to keep it at high-revs when idling... meant it was not a car you in which you could comfortably spend a lot of time. I have no issue with high-performance cars that run 500+ hp, they're fine if that's what you want. This is a car for someone who wants to do longer road tours and even drive it on more of a daily basis. Which is also why I had the footwell widened and a glove box installed. As I mentioned, if I had the space, I'd be keeping the car... it's gorgeous, and you are to be commended for the choices you made regarding the color, the wire wheels etc..
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Bend, Oregon
Former owner of "Crosley" the slabside, current owner of "Roswell" the 327 powered Healey 100
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roadrod2000
CC Member
Registered: January 2005
Location: Auburn
Posts: 187
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Comment Date: Mon June 17, 2013
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Juan, I remember your car starting out with an engine very similar to what this car now has again.
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Rod
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froggyman
CC Member
Registered: October 2003
Location: Louisville
Posts: 517
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Comment Date: Wed June 19, 2013
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To try and replicate this car today will be around $70,000.00 if you buy it new. I was sad to see this car go for such a low price. I sold it to a Dr in New Jersey for $67,500.00 cash. 14 months later I saw it by surprise at the Mecum Auction where it went for $38,000.00. Whaaaaaat? I don't know what this guy was thinking throwing this incredible car into a stupid Auction house whose audience is only going to try and steal it away from you.
It's like raising your daughter as a princess through middle school and then sending her off to a whorehouse for boarding school. Sorry if I sound so crass but that is the way this feels. Lucky the person that can buy this car for this, amazingly incredible low, low price. I cannot believe it. If I had the money I would buy it back. Unique Motorcars built it at the Factory and what a gem.
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Juan Lopez-Bonilla
Kentucky Cobra Club
2432 Crittenden Drive, Suite 201
Louisville, KY 40217
http://www.kentuckycobraclub.com
juan@lbrdesign.com
502-558-2904
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
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289guy
CC Member
Registered: June 2007
Posts: 5
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Comment Date: Mon July 15, 2013
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Froggyman is right. I also built a 289 Unique several years ago and know what it takes to build a car of this quality. That grille alone is BIG bucks. Somebody has a chance to buy a nice car for about 30 grand less than it's worth. This is also a very "unique" Unique and is probably the only one like it! You won't be seeing yourself at every show you take it to.
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ajracing
CC Member
Registered: February 2010
Location: Katy
Posts: 180
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Comment Date: Fri August 23, 2013
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still have car?
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Walt Tomsic
CC Member
Registered: August 1999
Location: Bend
Posts: 165
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Comment Date: Fri August 23, 2013
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The car has been sold.
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Bend, Oregon
Former owner of "Crosley" the slabside, current owner of "Roswell" the 327 powered Healey 100
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