[65snake]

Brings back a lot of memories. I remember seriously looking at cobras in 1965. A used 64 slab side with 289 was $4000 and I bought the used 64 Jag roadster (wind up windows). I was tired of side curtains on my TR3, but still would have bought the Cobra except my new bride loved the Black Jag. So I sold Out (Happy wife Happy life). In 66 I saw my first 427 Cobra at archway Ford. It was a silver street version with no hood scoop, and sunburst knock mags. It had 2 4 barrel carbs and later found out it was a 428. You have to know most of us really didn't know the difference between the 427 sideoiler and the 428PI engines. This was the car I wanted but they wanted $6000 which was almost a third more than a new 427 corvette at $4200. I bought the Vette. After drag racing the Vette successfully for several years i again started looking for a Cobra. My friend Sam Farace had worked as a mechanic for my dad, and started his own restoration shop specializing in Corvettes and Cobras. His neighbor had a black 64 Cobra for $6000 and Sam called me. I set up a time to see it the next day. When I called to say I was comeing over I found that Sam had bought it for $5000. Every day going to work I would pass Sam going to his shop in his triple black Cobra. Also had a chance to buy an original automatic Cobra (I passed on that). Sam ended up salvaging and rebuilding several Cobras. I never pursued Cobras at this time because I was to become a Daddy (life gets in the way). I retired from Bell Atlantic in 94 at 50, and decided to once again pursue my Cobra dream. Real Cobras were way out of my means, but ERA made the absolute best kit (we called them kits not replicas). I do like the classy sound of replica better. So I got a roller #407 and finished it in my newly built house (which I also designed and built). The basement was finished with ground level double doors that opened just wide enough for me to drive my Cobra in. Finished it in heated air condition work shop. What fun it was. I will miss that great experience. It took me one wonderful year to complete. Memories!!! This time Peter P and company will finish mine (they get to have all the fun). I feel that I'm lucky in that I've been given the chance to full fill my dreams after striking out way too many times.