[Dawn@FinishLine]

I was only 12 when I met my dad. Most people meet their dad much sooner I suppose. He married my mom and for the most part filled a role that was left void in my life for many years. He taught me about cars, how to shoot, how to drive, how to fish, how to love and respect speed and power, manners and etiquette, paid for my wedding and walked me down the aisle. Yeah… I’m a girl.

I was about 14 or 15 when he first pulled this strange thing I soon learned was called a chasis into our garage. He told me to just watch and wait and I would see. So I watched and waited and boy did I see. Enzo built his first cobra right there in our one car garage in South Florida with a zero lot line property. He would arrive home from work every day at 6pm after an hour drive through heavy downtown traffic and head straight to the garage. Weekends were the same. Watching that car come together was impressive I’ll admit, but Enzo's attention to detail was even more impressive. When a part would arrive he wouldn’t just install it. He would inspect it, study it and quite often improve upon it. Perfect it even. And if they didn’t have the part he wanted or could afford…..then he made it himself.

I remember when it was finally done (knowing full well now that they are never really "done") and we would go to shows. I rode my motorcycle alongside his Cobra. I am not sure what was worse for my mom (Paula)…..riding with Enzo or watching her daughter ride alongside her, knowing full well that we would both crave speed at some point along the way.

I remember Enzo helping so many other people in the cobra community at shows and on forums during that time and I remember his frustration that the parts and support weren’t available as readily as they could be. He talked for years about changing that in the Cobra industry. And then, when I was 21…..he did it. It started right there in our garage with just a few parts…just like his first cobra did. And I saw that same attention to detail and that same commitment to improvement.

Finish Line moved from our garage to a warehouse where it still is today. Within a few years and Enzo put his stamp of excellence on the Cobra community. He helped lots of guys build their cars. Not the fun way by getting in there and rubbing elbows during the build. But rather by sitting on the phone and spending hours helping guys who needed it and by investing and stocking more and more parts so they would be accessible in one place. Many great years went by like this. I was always always impressed.

Almost 5 years ago Enzo was diagnosed with aggressive cancer. Many of you remember. At that time I also had a 9-year old son (Enzo’s grandson) who was also battling aggressive cancer. CJ told his poppa Enzo when he was diagnosed, “Welcome to the club that no one wants to join.”

Many of you on the forums reached out and encouraged our family and Finish Line during that time. Thank you. Two years later it was bitter sweet when my son CJ was declared a survivor in remission while Enzo’s battle ended sadly and differently. That was three years ago.

My mom (Paula) and other family members have tried to keep Finish Line going ever since. Recently, I came in to help my mom make some hard decisions that many business owners have to face after losing their owner, leadership and hard times. There were several options available to her. Some of which would have done nothing to benefit the cobra community but it would have benefited mom. She could sell and walk away with money in her pocket and peace that she did her best. That option was on the table. But she didn’t do that….because of you!

She looked at all her options and said, “I want to give the inventory to the car community at a reduced rate. So guys that want to build can build. Guys who have been waiting and dreaming of buying those parts can do it now.” And she started big! Way bigger than even I expected. 50% OFF ALL inventory! It was her way of saying thank you for being customers and supporters of Finish Line all these years especially when she had to step out and taker care of her dying husband, its founder. It was her way of looking out for you guys and not just herself as we discuss the future of Finish Line in the industry.

So, for those of you that have expressed your deep thanks for the sale, thank my mom, Paula. For those of you that are frustrated with the process, don’t worry… you will be able to get it at full price very soon from another vendor who may get it to you faster and with less mistakes. For those of you that are enjoying being able to get parts and customize your cobra the way you want…..thank my dad….Enzo. He made this all possible.

As for Finish Line…. we honestly don’t know yet. After talking with so many of you during this sale we are rethinking its future. Most of you beg us to stay and it has made us rethink that maybe the cobra community still needs us more than we realized. We are deciding what that would look like. What parts would be a must to carry and make available to you. How to still do it with excellence but alleviate mom at this stage in her life. We want her to be free to enjoy all her hard work and not sitting in a warehouse from 6am to 7pm anymore. So enjoy the sale and we will let you know what we decide after. We welcome your opinions.