[Cobra Chuck]

A year and a half ago I took the plunge after doing lots of research and visiting several of the kit companies. I read all of Curt Scotts publications and the 12 Golden Rules are great. I bought my kit from Lone Star Classics of Fort Worth, Texas. I am just finishing the kit now. I will be sending it out for paint next week. Iam doing the rough body work myself. I have had the car out for a few test drives, but it is back up on the stands so I can sort out a few problems before sending to paint. It has been a blast, I have never enjoyed anything so much in my life. Particularly the night I fired it up for the first time. I haven't done anything crazy in the car yet because it is not broken in yet. But it is coming soon. Just the test drives let me know that there is far more car than driver. I installed a short throw shifter into the T5 trans and mistakenly got it into 3rd gear at a stop sign. I let the clutch out gave it a little gas and went IMMEDIATELY to 35 MPH without hesitation or smoking the tires, I didn't realize what I had done until I tried shifting into 2nd which was actually 4th and the car balked a little and then instantly shot to 65 MPH. I never had the tach over 3000 RPM. I didn't realize I was doing 65 in a 35 MPH zone for a minute. Then it suddenly dawned on me that I had done the start from 3rd and not 1st. Enough about the war stories.

Don't do the donor car thing unless you absolutely have to.

Use new parts always.

Budget your project and then throw in a 50% contingency line item. If you think a task will take you a month it will take you two. Everyone is an expert in this business and many don't know their ass from a hole in the ground. So ask lots of experts and when you come up with a common answer it might be true. When ordering kits, car parts or services, specify clearly what you want and expect, then inspect very carefully all pieces, parts and services. Two or three of my sad stories on this build go back to ordering something correctly and not getting what I ordered. Lone Star is not guilty on any of these counts. Don't assume anything. Who ever you buy your kit from make sure they have excellent phone and email technical support. Lone Star has some real aces. Dennis is awesome on technical stuff the owner Steve is great to. They answer their phones, get practical answers to you fast are not afraid of the internet and email. The parts department is good also. The sales reps are usually knowledgeable and know when it is time to get the company expert on the phone.

So far I have about 200 hours into the kit. I have done ALL of the work myself (not recommended). I do have a decent shop and equipment. I did have some hot rod experience in my much earlier life. I have rebuilt and built a few engines etc. But I have never done anything this extensive. It can be done in less time with experience and help. There are so many other thing I could say (all are positive). This is something I have wanted to do since my first ride in a real 427 Cobra SC in 1968. My only regret is waiting so long. Do it right when you do it, but don't wait for the right time it will never be the righ time. Yes it is expensive and very time consuming, but it can be the most rewarding thing you will ever do.