American Cobra built in California badge?

apollonater · #1 (**permalink**) 09-01-2011, 03:40 PM

Looking at a car that had some fire damage on the front portion of the car. The owner says that it has a badge on the back saying American Cobra built in California. Does anyone know of this company or who would put this badge on there car. It is not a true "American Cobra" car because it has a vin # and not a csx #. Just trying to figure out if its worth investing in. Thanks

ZOERA-SC7XX · #2 (**permalink**) 09-01-2011, 03:46 PM

It could be anything. Post some photos and maybe the guys here can identify this 'American Cobra'. Be sure to include a photo of the data plate.

SunDude · #3 (**permalink**) 09-01-2011, 03:53 PM

Betcha it was just one of these...

$15 from a long list of vendors...

apollonater · #4 (**permalink**) 09-01-2011, 05:26 PM

You are probably right. How do I figure out what manufacturer it is? $13k and all I am told is that it was a big block car, automatic and from the pictures you can see the entire front is burnt up from fire. Probably not worth it unless it was something really special. The guy who has it now really doesn't know anything about it which makes me nervous too.

SunDude · #5 (**permalink**) 09-02-2011, 05:21 AM

For $13K I can practically guarantee you that it's nothing special. Even the burned-out remains of an original Cobra are worth more than that, as they could be restored into a very valuable car. Unless you really want a serious project, you might want to keep looking...

tcrist · #6 (**permalink**) 09-02-2011, 10:38 AM

If you get some pictures and post them I bet you will get an array of posts on weither it is worth it or not.

Make sure you get enough pictures so someone can figure out the manufacture.

Engine compartment, cockpit and all around the outside. Also some pictures of the suspension if possible. That might also help.

ZOERA-SC7XX · #7 (**permalink**) 09-02-2011, 09:17 PM

Tough to buy a burned out wreck, unless you really know what you're looking at. You'd have to be a glutton for punishment with something like that. Buy something that you can drive, as there are plenty of good bargains out there.

scootter · #8 (**permalink**) 09-03-2011, 09:45 AM

I would like to see some pics. I know there was a fire years ago here in Los Gatos that burned the front of a Superformance that had a big block, but I'm sure it wasn't auto. It was darker blue with black stripe.

tcrist · #9 (**permalink**) 09-03-2011, 10:49 AM

I seem to remember there was one a while back that was burnt up all over because of a house fire and almost everyone told the guy not to even attempt to repair it. He bought it anyway and from what I remember it was mostly cosmetic and turned out rather nice.

Don't know how much $ he ended up putting in it though. You allways have to think about the bottom line. Of course I have a feeling that 99% of us are upside down when it comes to that. I could be wrong. It could be closer to 99.9%

.

SunDude · #10 (**permalink**) 09-03-2011, 12:53 PM

Pretty sure you're thinking of this burned-out Johnex, which some guy east of Toronto rebuilt. Did a great job. Looks like it was lots of work.

tcrist · #11 (**permalink**) 09-03-2011, 01:12 PM

Yep, that's the one. Wonder how it looks now? Should be compleatly done now.

SunDude · #12 (**permalink**) 09-03-2011, 01:17 PM

I dunno what it looks like now. But the owner has posted a build log here. His last entries were in March 2011, and he still had some interior work to do. Maybe more.

Basically this guy and his dad took the car from this...

...to this, in little more than a year. Pretty impressive.