Girlfriend wants an AC Cobra

[Tommy]

IFlyEm,
Does she have her own car now? How many miles between brake pads on her car? Aggressive drivers tend to burn through pads quickly (i.e., less than 20,000 miles). If there are signs she is an aggressive driver, I strongly suggest you build her a car that looks like a Cobra, but accelerates like a family sedan. The last thing you want is to feel guilty for providing her the means to get in a bad accident, even if she asked for it. .... BTW, there is a huge difference between driving a modern safety equipped car designed for the masses, and a car built to emulate a 1960's era race car. If you haven't driven one, you may not fully appreciate the difference.

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by IFlyEm

I have had performance cars all my life. Performance as in 11 - 13 sec cars.

Drag racing is a whole lot different than road racing, keep that in mind. As for the power you want her to "start off with", that sounds more like ego getting in the way (yours,hers,both???). When I've instructed students, I've always told them it is not how fast you can go around a track, but how smoothly and consistently you can do so. Speed comes later once you master the rest......The same should be said about the power levels you want vs what you actually need to start off with at this time. Also, gender does not matter, maturity level and the want to properly learn a new skill is.


Bill S.

[1985 CCX]

Marry her now!
Buy her a top notch 289 car.....
Scrap the Z06 and get a matching 427.......

I know if my wife said she wanted a car it would be a matter of hours before it was in the driveway.......

Do what's right get her what she wants.
When momma is happy the family is happy. True....

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by 1985 CCX

Marry her now! ...

First get a prenup and deal with who gets the car after you all crash and burn (marriage-wise, that is).

[Cashburn]

It's called a governor... like the go-carts at the shore. Give me a call, I gotta meet this girl and sell you a car with a governor. I'll give you a discount if you throw in a Barri burger from AJBombers.

[289FIA]

Originally Posted by IFlyEm

I would like her to start with a decent 300 - 400 hp modern sports car with traction control.

...and ABS, side impact protection, Air Bags, front crumple zones...

[AL427SBF]

I personally would skip driving school and jump right into Drifting 101, you'll pick the other stuff up along the way

Best of luck, it'll be fun and no question in my mind she will do well. Next up, the trials & tribulations of the build. When that time arrives, I think you know to be very careful on how you might ask about 'component selection' lol.

[Buzz]

There are two important points to consider that have not been emphasized and are critical to the success or viability of this decision. Neither is directly related to her gender or the structure of your relationship. They are:

1 - What type of person is she?
Is she a sensible, reasonably disciplined individual who is unlikely to do something impulsive and stupid like driving impaired or driving too fast and beyond her ability in a small, light, powerful car that she has no relevant experience in?

2- Is she conscious of and able to live with the reality that a Cobra is a loud, hot, smelly, and primitive little car whose only concession to creature comfort is a thinly padded seat?

It will blow your hairdos to smithereens and assault you with noise, heat, wind blast and the smells of gasoline and exhaust - and that is only when the weather is perfect. When it isn't perfect, you'll also be treated to sunburn, windchill and being soaked by rain - even when you choose to use the rudimentary and crude, awkward little soft top and fussy, pop-in side screens. A Cobra's idea of climate control is a gradual warming of the atmosphere with radiated heat and burnt carbon emissions.
Regardless of the weather, the sidepipes will burn you painfully and repeatedly until you achieve an uncanny, zen-like state that keeps you conscious of the pipes in relation to your body parts anytime you enter, exit or move around the little monster.

If she is both of the above and a true lover of sports cars, then the entire progression through choosing, buying, finishing and driving a Cobra will be a fantastic, rewarding process that will get better and better as you grow in experience, skill and familiarity with the joys and quirks of these unique cars.

If she is neither of the above, then the entire experience will be at best a frustration and a massive disappointment. At worst it will be a real disaster waiting to happen no matter what driving school she attends or how many yards of chromoly tubing are built into the integrated roll cage.

I say unto thee - know thyself and thy Cobra and thou shalt indeed be rewarded. Know them not and verily verily verily the nasty lil' beast will rise up and bite thee in thine arse.

Have fun and good luck!

[AL427SBF]

Hey Buzz, while you were napping they gave women the vote and now it's even considered vogue in NJ if they light up a petite after dinner cigar. It's a changing world dude, get use to it.

[twin turbo]

I'm not too worried about if she can learn to drive the car, I'm just curious if she realizes how crude these cars are in terms of noise, ride comfort, and smell. Some people just don't enjoy driving these unrefined beasts. For me, my car is a safer substitute for riding a crotch rocket, but I'm kinda warped. No matter what, if you get a Cobra, insist she always use the full harness and not just the lap belt. Cheers.

[Three Peaks]

Originally Posted by AL427SBF

Hey Buzz, while you were napping they gave women the vote and now it's even considered vogue in NJ if they light up a petite after dinner cigar. It's a changing world dude, get use to it.

Al, with all the snarky comments you're throwing around someone would think you have something personal going on here...... so what gives? Did the pic give you a whole new definition of a "qualified driver"??????

The OP asked for opinions and that is exactly what he is getting. Let it go, would ya'?

Bob

[LMH]

Originally Posted by AL427SBF

And what exactly did you learn - be specific, thanks.

Probably the best thing I learned was that what I thought I knew, I really didn't know at all. Ego gets in the way though and that's a hard pill to swallow. You learn the basics and how to be consistant. You also learn how not to be a loose cannon. I'm speaking of road racing, not just everyday driving.

Getting back to the OP...I think a weekend course is a great way to do some learning. It can be a lot of fun too, so I say go for it.

Larry

[Buzz]

Originally Posted by AL427SBF

Hey Buzz, while you were napping they gave women the vote and now it's even considered vogue in NJ if they light up a petite after dinner cigar. It's a changing world dude, get use to it.

Seriously? Well I'll be damned...

[WardL]

Forgive me if this is a repeat, but tell her it is not safe or environmentally green. It is not safe because seat belts and fire extinguisher are only two safety features. No air bags, side protection, collapsing steering wheel, body crush zone, anti-locks, radio or any other modern convenience feature. They have a tendency to go out of control easy and that usually causes the car to flip and instantly kill the passenger (no roll bar) and permanently maim the driver. If you get into any kind of traffic, you can get a little twitchy because you are looking up at every other car/truck. Then mention she will smell raw gasoline and major stinky exhaust, just the kind that produces deathly smog and probably brain cancer too. Since they don't have rear windscreens her hair will be in knots and filthy dirty after a short run on the freeway not to mention her clothes and garage will smell of gasoline. You really need a perfect day to drive it because if it is below 65 F it will be freezing in the Cobra and above 75 F it will be miserably hot. Every owner has burned their leg on the exhaust at least once and have a big old scar to prove it. Little dogs get scorched when they come up and sniff the red hot exhaust in parking lots. Throw in it has to be hand washed because it has no top. I better stop now...

[ratsnst1]

that will tell me everything.

[tcrist]

I thought he just had an ax to grind with me for some reason untill he started on Buzz. Dont know what his problem is. Guess he just likes to stir up sh!t.

Now I am only guessing that it is a he and not a she. Maybe that is where the issue is. Maybe SHE thought that I was picking on her gender.

Which ever, he/she could stand to lighten up a bit. Of course that is just my opinion. Which means nothing.

[PDUB]

Originally Posted by IFlyEm

Like mine? lol



Ironically she's got her commercial pilots license and wants to learn to fly models as well.


Anyway, everything you guys have said we have discussed. Just sounds better when a third party confirms what I have said.

We are going to definitely go through driving school together. I have had performance cars all my life. Performance as in 11 - 13 sec cars. The Z06 will be the raciest car I have driven. Eventually I would love a Cobra. Just not sure I would be comfortable turning her loose in one that I would build to suit me.


I would like her to start with a decent 300 - 400 hp modern sports car with traction control.


Anyway thanks for all the input!

Nice Yak! I take it you have a 3W in it? JR 12X? Looks good...

Originally Posted by mrmustang

gender does not matter, maturity level and the want to properly learn a new skill is.

Bill S.

I'm glad that someone finally brought this up. Bill is on the money here.

It has already been said, but the 289 car with a bone-stock 289 would likely satisfy her without having to be scary. She can learn to drive it if she maturely sets her sights on it. The school idea is a great one. Over time that little motor could be rebuilt to a fire-breathing beast that would impress even you...

It is great that she seems to share your interest in performance cars. As has been posted several times now, the big question is, "Does she really know what this car is like, how un-refined it actually is?" If not, that is the first order of business. You need to get her an extended ride in one. If she still wants one after that, then you need to go for it. Oh..., and skip the Z06, pass go, and collect your own Cobra! Course, she might get a little miffed if you put the Yak in the passenger's seat too often!

[Ant]

I am wondering whether your girlfriend is really interested in AC Cobra's or cars in general or is it a passing fad.?

A friend with me helping built a car for his wifes son who wanted to go racing, because his mother suggested it, this was some years ago he had never raced or driven a car fast, never really had an interest. Went out to the race track and drove the car once scared the crap out of himself, he never thanked us and blamed us for the scary experience.

My advice is go to a driving school and see if its worth going further, and or build or buy a Cobra with Automatic trans and no more than 200bhp something you can just cruise in, with long travel throttle.

To sum it up I couldn't let an inexperienced driver behind my 675bhp cobra with Five speed Jerico, I can't afford the new dog rings and gears or a smashed car plus I would have to be in the car as well and that could be a death sentence.

Take her for a ride in one from a car sales and see if you and she likes it, because a lot of Cobras are sh*t to drive and not that nice to go any great distance, sure if the car is designed well that will make a difference. AC Cobras are for enthusiasts they are not great road cars.

[mdross1]

Let me say this,my wife once wanted to ride one of our Harleys.With a lot of TLC and patience she gave it a go,once the clutch was let out she panicked and ended up on a stone wall.No damage at all to the bike,she from that day on has been happy hanging on to me.Your call,suggestion, build the car you want,the end result could be even better than you imagine.

[tin-man]

Originally Posted by Buzz

Seriously? Well I'll be damned...

Buzz, I'm thinking that too, I'm readin' were women are now in management positions and are running companies, they are even allowed to fly F16's and gasp, race Formula 1 cars and lordy, lordy, we got a female secretary of state, but it is as secretary position, right, and then there are some, oh my, who are president wannabes, what's next, chief of staff?

Be that as it may, after seeing I Fly Em's lady friend, I would be inclined to grant her any wish, providing she was to first drive a Cobra to see if that was really what she wants. I am thinking that's one classy lady who would be more at home driving either a Maserati or an Aston Martin and not driving a stinking, bone jarring, hot, dangerous, totally unpredictable Cobra. But then none of us know her as well as I Fly Em. My compliments to the dude.

Just my two cents, John, AKA, tin-man