Not Ranked
Turk,
Fella, all Steve and I have asked for is that the thread(s) stay focused. We don't need to go so far out of bounds that no one remembers what the original thread even was.
We can discuss "this" issue until everyone simply passes over it to click on the newest and hottest. You say, "we can't even agree on a name," not yet, but that is the whole point of asking everyone isn't it? We will simply take the most appointed names, then break those down, and then take a vote.
The mission, the reason, the goal is simply to help in making all Cobras and home builds safer.
The second mission or goal is to let the insurance company's know that "WE" know there is a problem and that "WE" are going to fix it.
That's it. Absolutely nothing more nothing less.
It's your choice to do this. Period.
This is truly a, You either get it or you don't point.
It certainly is NOT a "either you join us or die" option!
I don't even like the connotations that that brings up!
I have been a member of the "Unofficial Safety Club" for over 20 years. I know other builders in my profession also belong.
My thoughts are that it is time to go national, that's all.
These are the questions and every one of them are and should be debatable.
Do you want a nationally recognized safety committee?
If you do, what "basic" safety issues do you want to cover?
Do you want strictly and for ever more, voluntary inspections?
Benefits: Obviously to make your car safer. This is #1
Get the insurance companies attention that we do care
and that we are good risks
promote our Hobby, and our love of these cars.
This IS the agenda, plain and simple. This is where I say, "you either get it or you don't!" My statement by no means implies a take it or leave it attitude! You of all people know from my heart what I am attempting to accomplish. Safety, safety, safety.
This is getting long, but I feel that I have to make a point. Right now, as we discuss this, I have a gentlemen's Cobra in our shop that he bought used. He is the second owner and brought it in for a few very minor repairs and upgrades. Total estimated time in the shop was two days, or if a lot of phone calls came in, maybe three. As of Monday we will be on week three.
Upgrading a few of his gauges and a leaky rear end has come to this:
His clutch slave cylinder was binding horribly causing the car to launch as if it were on a drag strip every time he moved. The cylinder was on such a bind that it leaks fluid to replacing all the fluid in the reservoir once a month. He thought this was normal.
The car had a light vibration: Tracked down to a bent right rear axle which was also leaking rear end fluid. (This repair alone will cost him over $1,000.00, new bushing, seals bearing and having the rear center section rebuilt.)
Not confirmed yet, but it appears who ever made his brake lines only single flared all the lines. (All the lines to the clutch slave cylinder are single flared and leaking!)
His exhaust system (4 into 4) leaks at every seam. (Is this critical or a safety factor? Who knows, I don't suspect he will be sleeping in his car)
His brake lines have more unions than 3 cars should have.
His brake lines, and fuel lines are NOT hard mounted except for a few, and I mean a few fasteners. BOTH lines run rampant around the headers and there is NOT a clamp insight for over two three feet of line.
He has NO neutral safety switch, or at least not a working one!
All of this without doing a single intentional inspection. These are just the things that one of my guys pointed out while working on the car. I keep hearing, "DV, DV...come here, ya gotta see this!"
"THIS" is what it's all about. "This" is what our Cobra people will either, "get it or you wont" comment.
I will also tell you that all of this is from one of the most prized kits out there. It was not a turnkey, nor a turnkey minus situation, but IT WAS supposedly built by a professional with many years of experience!
DV..lets all be safe out there! It IS so easy to do.
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