[Bathrone]

Hi folks, Im back again after a considerable break.

The story is Im at a decision point. My current "toy" is a 400HP 13BT Mazda Rotary, S2 made in 1982. This is a lively vehicle with alot of power in a lightweight chassis - 1020kgs.

The problems with this car is firstly trying to drive a vehicle that triples in power into the middle and high RPM range through a smallish motor being force fed. The big one is legality and being hassled by the cops / yellow canaries because unlike an ICV I have a modified production vehicle and that means all sorts of rules about modifications. Trust me, emissions and noise limits on an ICV are gravy in comparison.

Anyway the motor is now tired and I estimate I have about $25k to spend on it to get it tip top with everything I would want - new paint, interior, engine etcetc. I would then have about $40k into the car and while it would be a genuine 10sec quarter mile car its not overly "classic".

Ive always liked the Cobras but after having an MGB I just dont know how I could put up with one. Ive got a Hyundai Excel crapbox I drive around in, so its not a daily thing, but to pose some questions please:

1. Do the classic revival and other quality kits, the soft top leaks in the rain?
2. If I buy a quality hardtop, just how do the door "windows" work? how are they designed?
3. Is the visibility while driving ok or is it like trying to see in Countach?
4. Is the vehicle generally comfortable?

I thought perhaps a Daytona body would be more to my liking.

5. Does anyone do a Daytona body in Australia?
6. Would the Daytona body be more liveable?

I was thinking if I sold the Mazda I could use my Autronic ECU and CDI, and some other bits and pieces for it.

I guess my main issue is that I know I like the Cobras, but if I actually owned one if I would end up being a car I never took out in the rain and only on sunny Sundays etcetc. Thats what happened with my MGB MK II, it looked nice, but it was just not well designed for general use - it leaked, the ventilation system was woeful, the gauges were highly inaccurate etcetc

Any thoughts would be appreciated.