[ItBites]

Just to be clear, for my commentary: while I would not just go to Jay because everyone on this thread says to, I did not intimate that his services are not value added, especially to the well-heeled and less mechanically inclined. I do not have an opinion as to whether Jay is a huckster (I have no information either way as far as that goes). It just seemed to me that none of your responders have asked for much detail or know squat about the car you're looking at and yet all are saying just go to Jay.

I would recommend that if it seems like a good deal, check it out. You can get a mechanic to do a checkup on the engine health and address the smoking under acceleration concern. If the car is in good shape, has some records, and is the right price, the choice is yours. If your gamble is good, you saved money. If your gamble is bad, you will spend money and maybe be even with buying a used one from Jay anyway, but likely no worse... Again, look at the deal under its own merits and make a decision for yourself.

The market demographics for Kit Cobras (I've been around these longer than all y'all - so don't try to lecture me about kit vs replica) has changed drastically over the past 10 years and is light years from what it was 25 years ago. When I started playing toy Cobra, you had to really be a fabricator and builder to own one, but now most folks are well-off and just write checks and maybe do a little maintenance and some minor upgrades. I am not the type of owner that needs Jay's services and likely could not afford them anyway. If you are not inclined in hot rod construction and maintenance, I would recommend a firm like Jay's, but you have to be able to afford it.