My Cobra is totalled

Buzz · #1 (**permalink**) 10-25-2009, 02:40 PM

Well - it wasn't an accident or anything, it is just sitting completely stripped and torn apart. There is a big vintage car show in the second week of December and a local radio host/car nut called me and asked if he could bring the local PPG reps to my home to see the car.

They ended up being a couple of really nice guys. Two brothers, Bobby and Roe spearhead a family run operation with an extensive PPG franchise, auto refinishing and show car history in Canada, the US and the Caribbean. As the main sponsors of the car show, they were looking for a showpiece entry to showcase their products and skills and to make a long story short, they fell in love with the Cobra and offered to give it a complete show car makeover and paintjob.

So now, a few days later; the car is stripped and sanded, with these guys going over every inch of the body correcting gaps, flaws and low spots in an effort to create a perfect base for the layers of paint. They are leaving the color and scheme decisions up to me and so far, I'm leaning towards an awesome dark metallic blue off their specialty paint chart with offset red and white team stripes on the fenders.

The most remarkable thing about all this - besides the meticulous detail going into the bodywork - is that they are doing all this at no cost to me other than some photography, graphics and promo work using the Cobra as their showpiece! I will continue to post updates and photos as the makeover progresses.

PS: I got to drive the Cobra around the shop's backyard a bit after we removed the sidepipes. What an awesome sound!! I was expecting a coarse, ragged blat out of the open headers, but it actually sounded really good - but VERY, VERY LOUD!

Silverback51 · #2 (**permalink**) 10-25-2009, 02:59 PM

What a deal. Congratulations.

Be sure to keep us updated with pictures.

Got the Bug · #3 (**permalink**) 10-25-2009, 03:43 PM

Congrats on the paint job! Thumbs down on your thread title.

Rare Iron · #4 (**permalink**) 10-25-2009, 04:12 PM

WOW! Great deal! See if they want to do a six-pack Cuda next???

Buzz · #5 (**permalink**) 10-25-2009, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rare Iron

WOW! Great deal! See if they want to do a six-pack Cuda next???

Is it an AAR Cuda? I'm sure they would love to do one of those! I'll give you my shipping address, you send 'er down and I will see that she gets a top notch paint job.

Sorry about the title Bug - but it really is in a sorry state right now and this is only the beginning.

I had to sit on the floor with the dash in my lap to move it around today, shifting with a pair of visegrips. The car is a mess but the sound of the open pipes was pure ecstacy.

The plan is to go with no body stripes - just the team stripes, black sidepipes and I am undecided on whether to keep the roll bar or not.

There is some talk about finishing the interior in polished aluminum panels, but there may not be enough time.

Slither · #6 (**permalink**) 10-25-2009, 05:13 PM

Do not remove the roll bar!!!

Jamo · #7 (**permalink**) 10-25-2009, 05:18 PM

Wow...such a deal!

...and you didn't have to blow anyone?

Buzz · #8 (**permalink**) 10-25-2009, 05:27 PM

It actually is pretty amazing. Watching these guys put their all into the bodywork even on their own time on a sunday makes me wonder what someone would have to pay for that level of attention and craftmanship. They even rolled out a barbecue and some coolers so the rest of the family could hang out at the back of the shop while Bobby and Roe did their thing! They are not rushing this - a lot of hours are going into the body prep before we can even think about paint!

Mark IV · #9 (**permalink**) 10-25-2009, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by
[I

...and you didn't have to blow anyone?[/i]

He didn't say that.................

rustyBob · #10 (**permalink**) 10-25-2009, 06:16 PM

What a deal..........how cuold you refuse that.........

Buzz · #11 (**permalink**) 10-25-2009, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamo

...and you didn't have to blow anyone?

Heh - didn't see that part when I originally replied. No Buddy - the only thing I'm blowin' is gelcoat dust out of my nostrils. A timely gust of wind gave me a good faceful when we were cleaning up before calling it a day.

Double Venom · #12 (**permalink**) 10-25-2009, 07:13 PM

Buzz,
I love ya like a brother.... but that title scared the 'ELLLL' out of me!
Keep the Roll Bar.... just keep it padded!

(Cost: Could easily be 20K to 100K)
DV

*13* · #13 (**permalink**) 10-25-2009, 07:53 PM

Great to have connections like that! Gongrats!

Buzz · #14 (**permalink**) 10-26-2009, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Double Venom

Buzz,
I love ya like a brother.... but that title scared the 'ELLLL' out of me!
Keep the Roll Bar.... just keep it padded!

(Cost: Could easily be 20K to 100K)
DV

Sorry Ed! I tried to edit the title to "I'm being Overhauled" but no go. Maybe if 'werks or Jamo stop by, they can help me out.

trularin · #15 (**permalink**) 10-26-2009, 07:30 AM

Dang, will you play some lotto numbers for me?

You really have some luck to get a shop do all this work.

Congrats!!

Ron61 · #16 (**permalink**) 10-26-2009, 01:33 PM

Hey Buzz,

That is great and you are going to have an awesome paint job when it is finished. I too got taken in by the title and wondered first if you were hurt. Congratulations on getting such a great deal. Looking forward to pictures of the finished product.

Ron

lineslinger · #17 (**permalink**) 10-26-2009, 02:51 PM

Really interested in seeing what you decide on as a color scheme Buzz...you lucky bandit.

Way to finesse a deal!

Rare Iron · #18 (**permalink**) 10-26-2009, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buzz

Is it an AAR Cuda? I'm sure they would love to do one of those! I'll give you my shipping address, you send 'er down and I will see that she gets a top notch paint job.

Yep - it's an AAR. I started restoring it in 1991, but then we started our family & everything went on hold/limited progress. A real hardcore gearhead would've had it done within a year considering it's condition. It's ready for final paint now, problem is I don't know any painter I can trust to do a good job for under 20k!

Anyway, I hope they do a good job for you.

PatBuckley · #19 (**permalink**) 10-26-2009, 04:57 PM

Congrats, Buzz!

We don't need to ask for pictures, do we?

Buzz · #20 (**permalink**) 10-26-2009, 06:29 PM

Not at all Pat - pics will be forthcoming! They want to go whole hog and asked me to commission some models to accompany the car at the show so auditions will commence pronto. Stay tuned for the pictures.

Quote:

Rare Iron

Yep - it's an AAR. I started restoring it in 1991, but then we started our family & everything went on hold/limited progress. A real hardcore gearhead would've had it done within a year considering it's condition. It's ready for final paint now, problem is I don't know any painter I can trust to do a good job for under 20k!

Anyway, I hope they do a good job for you.

Those are beautiful cars. That and its cuz the Challenger T/A are way up in my shortlist of favorite muscle cars. Back in about 1980 or so, a buddy of mine bought an AAR for next to nothing at an estate sale and he had big plans to restore and sell it for a huge profit. He was a heck of a character but he had a weakness for recreational drugs and ended up selling it for little more than he paid. Terrible shame. Take your time with yours - they are not so easy to come by.