[sideoiler10]

My main advice is to purchase one already completed instead of building. You can save thousands that way. Like anything else you start to build, they always end up costing substantially more than you planned. That was the most popular advice given to me about 3 or 4 years ago. I always wanted to build one with a 427 sideoiler. After checking prices for just a really good engine I decided that building was not the way to go. It ended up taking about a year to find the one car that was right for me, but I did find it and it has a standard bore/stroke and only 4,000 miles. The engine was build from a NOS block.

I found the car on cobracountry.com. It is probably the largest single website of Cobras that are for sale. Plus there are lots of other links for information. I would also advise you to purchase the latest edition of "The Cobra Buyer's Gujide" written by Curt Scott. Curt is probably one of the most (if not THE most) knowledgable people concerning Cobras. At any given time you will fine anywhere from 40 to 50 Cobras for sale. It is a great place to start.

The Cobra Buyer's Guide includes write-ups on most of the top Cobra manufacturers and provides a glimpse of what makes each a good product. In addition, Curt only includes manufacturers who have proved to be honest and fair with their customers and who provide a quality product. Tons of information in that little book. Plus it costs only about 15 bucks. You can order it on cobracountry .com.

When I bought mine I found it in Conroe, TX. After many emails and photos, phone calls etc., my wife and I drove down and took a small trailer with us just in case. The car was just what the sellor said it was and we brought it back with us after purchasing insurance (also just in case). Based on what the car is and what they are normally going for with the equipment it has, I know I saved $20 to $25K by buying a car already completed. I have to admit though, I got the car for an exceptional price and have not seen any other similarly equipped cars for anywhere near that price since.

Just take your time and LOOK, LOOK, LOOK. And ask lots and lots of questions.

Good luck and enjoy the process. Bob