Hello all:
Regarding Olthoff Racing and Southern Automotive Engines, I have already made some comments in my thread found in the Shelby American forum. I felt however, I needed to use a larger venue to reach a larger audience. This may not be the right place to post, but I hope the administrators/moderators can/will help decide that.
After almost 15 months I am officially (keys and car in hand) a Cobra owner (CSX6108). I have documented its progress in the SAI forum. This car is just THE absolute bomb! I was speechless and stupid when I first saw it. I kept on laughing without effectively communicating. Hell, maybe a tear to two were dropped. I am looking forward to a lifetime experience, shred with my two boys and wife.
Dennis Olthoff and Bill Parham have my absolute admiration and respect. These two individuals and the team each one leads (Olthoff Racing, Inc. and Southern Automotive Engines) have resurrected my faith in the Service Industry. Perhaps "service industry" is not the best term, but frankly I don't care. The point is these two companies must be the best in their business, period. I also recognize two things:
1) There are other members of this group (engine and car makers/builders) that have the same exact reputation I am trying to exalt here. I interviewed with a number of them. I read this forum for endless hours, and found much guidance. Without this forum (and SAAC's) I could not have done it. At the end I followed my heart, not the numbers, or the pictures, in making my decision. Therefore my most sincere appreciation and gratitude to all of you who listened to me, answered all my questions, sent me your estimates, and gave me your precious time, so I could make a decision. Especially (in no specific order), Tom Lucas, Eric Hinderberger, Nick Acton, Keith Craft, Brent Lykins, George Anderson, and others. Thank you very much.
2) I have yet to really test the car!! I have not driven it long enough to empirically discuss its values and virtues. However, I have very little doubt that this car will not perform to the standards to which it is supposed to.
Bill Parham is a 427 expert, period. The man is so knowledgeable it is scary. Granted, my own knowledge on the topic did not amount to a double spaced one page essay, but I had the books in front of me, and the man was reciting them! He kept telling he would take care of me, and kept calming me down all the way. He never got upset, and never made me feel ignorant or inadequate (something my wife can do quite easily
). He would call me out of the blue, unsolicitedly, just to clarify and reassure. Never has the voice of an older Southern motor head ever sound so sweet in my ears
His wife Susan, is just the right teammate. She is soft spoken, motherly, but can talk to you about stroking that engine, port matching this intake, or setting off alarms in a parking lot, while out buying groceries. 75% of our conversations happened in the evening, at my leisure. Never got a "I'll call you right back", which I thought was an amazing statistic all by itself. My engine was EXACTLY what had been described and agreed upon from the beginning. Plus, I got a NOS '68 427 FE Side Oiler (date stamped 1972), and free delivery of my car at my door.
Negatives? I hope the Parhams use my money too up grade their camera
They could use a higher resolution (but I never dared to bring this up
Dennis Olthoff. I have to admit initially I was lured by his last name and pedigree. I am sure it is the same feeling when you hear about Lee Holman and his shop. So much Cobra history! I call Dennis on the phone, or e-mail him (not his favorite mode of communication BTW), and cannot help but to listen quietly, and try to soak it all in. He just raced his dad's old car at Goodwood a month ago, for crying out loud! You want to learn and know about Cobra? This is probably one of the few places that are left. Dennis demeanor, his patience with me (I am sure I must have drove him nuts), and his openness are just impressive. Nothing I brought up caused him to think twice. Reminded me of the tough guy who stands in front of the cannon at the circus to take a cannonball on the gut, and when done, asks for another one... He not only tells you what works in these cars, but more importantly, what does't. Things happened so fast! He does not linger. His team are just that good. My car was delivered by one of Bob Olthoff's old friend (and like family to Dennis)! Here is this guy standing next to me (a nobody in the racing world), sweating it under the LA sun (still hot in Oct.), giving me pointers about the car, and telling me racing stories of Bob and his as partners in crime and co-pilots. I was, like, "Wow". Dennis' wife, sister, and others man the "front desk". They are excellent. They knew exactly what was going on with my car at pretty much any time. Almost like they had a monitor in front of them with the status of each project in the back, being up-dated by the minute (perhaps they DO have it... I'll have to call them and ask
). The end result? The car is perfect.
Negatives? None. BTW Dennis' camera has more resolution than Bill's
There. In times when almost all we hear and/or see seems to be *****ing and moaning, and complaining, I thought I offer a different perspective inspired by two hard working small business owners that give you more that what you pay for, literally and figuratively speaking.
Thank you Dennis, thank you Bill. God's Speed to all
Hector Negron