Headed over to Olthoff's Racing tomorrow. . .

crASH · #1 (**permalink**) 03-24-2011, 04:28 PM

.. and have been threatening to do that for three years. I don't own a Cobra YET, but looking , and thinkin, and countin' my nickels and dimes until I find the right car at the same time I have "spare change" to buy it.

Heard lots of good things about Dennis Olthoff on this forum, so I am excited about finally getting over there. He says he's got two rollers in stock, several used Cobras, a NEW SPF 289 FIA! woo hoo!, and a bunch of customer cars in for service. LOTS to look at. He'll probably have to run me out of there at closing time tomorrow afternoon.

vatdevil · #2 (**permalink**) 03-24-2011, 04:53 PM

There are some nice used ones there. Save some serious dough and buy used. You won't fret over any paint chips then!! Bought mine used and had his guys go over it a few months back.

Stentor · #3 (**permalink**) 03-24-2011, 05:40 PM

It should be a fun and interesting day for you.

Dennis has done some work on my car; he knows what he's doing. It's always fun to see what he has got in the shop (last time I was there he had an aluminum CSX 9000 coupe--which was pretty cool).

Good luck and enjoy.

Blas · #4 (**permalink**) 03-24-2011, 07:00 PM

Dennis is a great guy. Say hello to him for me...
What are you looking for? Color, Engine?
Blas

crASH · #5 (**permalink**) 03-24-2011, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blas

What are you looking for? Color, Engine?
Blas

Depends on what day you ask me. Truly.

I vacillate weekly from the idea of buying a kit and spending the next four years on a build for the pure fun and challenge of it, to just ordering a finished SPF "street" roadster as a daily driver. As hot and humid as I expect it’ll get here again this summer I guess THAT’S just crazy talk. BUT…when I give up my current daily driver for my youngest after he gets his driver’s license in 18 months I got to buy something to drive, and since my office is at the house, I’ll only need my own wheels to get out of the house for lunch, etc.

Blas · #6 (**permalink**) 03-24-2011, 08:00 PM

Lots of good buys out there. What you look at depends on your budget. There's a lot to be said for the instant gratification of purchasing something you can drive home the same day....A used car usually has most of the bugs worked through too. And a good inspection will tell you a lot about the quality of the build. Good luck...let us know what you find...

madmaxx · #7 (**permalink**) 03-24-2011, 09:36 PM

If I had to do it all over again I would look for a well used spf or bdr. Rework the engine and repaint if necessary. All Cobras need work all the time, brand new ones need more than used. SPF are like dump trucks,you just can't hurt them, BDR are the best buy for the buck.

fordracing65 · #8 (**permalink**) 03-24-2011, 10:56 PM

I rode around the track with Dennis a few times, one time he even drove my car, he is so fast and really knows the way a cobra performes, especially a superformance, I really learned alot from that day, plus he set up my car for optimal balance. I have alot of his aftermarket parts on my car. WHAT A LIFE.

crASH · #9 (**permalink**) 03-25-2011, 05:44 AM

Thanks for the good words guys.

It'll be a while before I am in a position to comfortably buy, but I told my wife this morning to take an extra jacket with her today because if I'm offered a chance to drive one, I will absolutely take it. I'm no joy rider of others' vehicles "for sale", but I guess one needs to "jump out the plane" the first time to know whether they really want to take up skydiving as a hobby.

Sminor · #10 (**permalink**) 03-25-2011, 09:32 AM

Dennis is a really nice guy and willing to go the extra mile. One time I needed a seat, so I stopped by his shop on the way back from Daytona. He didn't have a spare seat in stock, so he got some wrenches and took a seat out of one of his race cars. I'm still using it today. I expect you'll have a ball at his shop.

crASH · #11 (**permalink**) 03-25-2011, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sminor

I expect you'll have a ball at his shop.

Indeed I did. Multiple Brock Coupes, a new 289 FIA, several GT40s, plenty of 427 Cobras, and a couple of customer's roadsters with under-car exhaust, which was a great opportunity for me to see and hear.

I got a ride with long time customer (15 years) in his roadster with undercar exhaust. He had seen this thread and walked up to introduce himself shortly after I arrived. It was great to see/hear the difference in the "audio experience" of that alternative exhaust configuration. I like it. His car is 15 years old with 90K miles and you could have convinced me it was brand new had he not told me so. Quite a testimony for Superformance and Olthoff's Racing.

Paul, one of Dennis's great mechanics, also took me for a spin (a 100MPH spin) and took a lot of time from his day answering my questions and showing me around, even though it appeared they had a shop full of work to complete.

Dennis was great, as was his sister (her name just escaped me, so sorry) and they sent me home with even more info.

It was like a day at the fair when you're seven years old. *whew* Now to scrape up enough "jack" to get on with the program. One day soon, hopefully.

PNJSNAK · #12 (**permalink**) 03-26-2011, 10:35 AM

Great family and always willing to discuss cobras even if it is not a Superformance.
Years ago his father took me out for a ride in a roadster on the back roads. Went out on a spirited ride for about 10 miles, Bob pulled over and said you drive it back to the barn. He gave me some pointers and when we got back, I had a big grin on my face and he said not bad. What color and stripes do you want!
If I were to do this again for any reason, Superformance, new or used, would be my choice.
Building my A & C was an experience I'll never forget, but not again, I'm very happy but you can't help but like everything about the roadster they offer. If you have the "Jack" as you say.
Good luck and why wait, jump into the water, you'll love it!!!!!!