Why do people sell their Cobra?

[86Sebring]

I sold my last cobra to help buy a business. Ever since, I have been putting away a little $$ if business and family allows. Once I can afford it, I will get another cobra or perhaps a Cheetah or a Brunton super stalker or something along that line that can do burnouts while going 50mph .

[Ant]

I think people find that they look good sound good etc, downside is road driving they aren't great and this can depends on how the driving position is optimized. There are much nicer cars to drive available but they are not a cobra and don't have that appeal.
Regarding racing a lot of cobra enthusiasts think first time up they are going to play merry hell at the racetrack with all the hp etc and fall flat on their faces, these cars can take a lot of work and development to get doing good lap times. I guess thats par for the course for any car speed costs.
I am on my fourth cobra and have unfortunately sold previous cars and am now finding it harder to complete my current and last build.

TO ME THERE IS NOTHING BETTER THAN SEEING A COBRA CRUISING DOWN THE ROAD, THAT SILHOUETTE IS SOMETHING ELSE.

[c6ae]

I have built several cars through the years and am old enough now to realize that quiet and smooth running are a big part of enjoying the car.
A moderate cam, under car exhaust, insulation under the floormats etc all contribute to make an enjoyable ride for me.
That's not to say my car is "quiet" my wife can hear me coming home about a mile away. The noise just goes out the back of the car and I don't hear it so much...

[601HP]

Originally Posted by JWilly

My guess is that nearly all cars are sold from their original owner sometime. I think a lot of Cobra's that are sold relatively shortly after they are bought or built is likely because the person did not completely understand what they were getting. It is not a boulevard cruiser. It is a noisy, smelly, dangerous, overpowered, not very comfortable, good weather car. I can't imagine having one to be mainly a show car. I plan on keeping and driving mine as long as I can...then I'll propably make a lamp out of it.

Yep.

This July ours will have been with us 18 years.

David

[philminotti]

Originally Posted by JWilly

I can't imagine having one to be mainly a show car. I plan on keeping and driving mine as long as I can...then I'll propably make a lamp out of it.

Now that's what I'm talkin' about!

[psychoSEAL]

Time to move onto something else.

[jwd]

Originally Posted by psychoSEAL

Time to move onto something else.

Exactly. Cobra's are cool and I enjoyed building/driving mine but it came time to move on. To me, there's no "best in the world, end all, now my life's complete" car. I feel sorry for those that feel that way. I know a guy who says "I want to have owned one of everything before I die". That sounds good to me.

[madmaxx]

Viagra killed the cobra market.

[madmaxx]

All u biatchs with ur lame weather excuses shouldn't have bought in first place

[sharpe 1]

I still have mine and my corvette. Had it for 22 years and still enjoy it.

Sharpe 1

[philminotti]

Great discussion! Let me cone it down a bit...what about the high buck CSX and Kirkhams, billet everything...you know, stack injection...the WORKS. Clearly a dream build. They turn up on the market quite often as well, and always sell for a loss. What about those? The folks that build those don't get into financial trouble, i suspect.

[digginfool]

Originally Posted by madmaxx

All u biatchs with ur lame weather excuses shouldn't have bought in first place

Bulooow me.

[sspano01]

i dont know....those super $ builds/csx/stack injection/etc....i dont know how you could drive it after having all of that on it.
i have 2200 miles on mine in the first season, and its amazing how much crap is kicked up on the shiny parts already. and i only take it out when it is sunny and nice! no way could you keep it all clean and nice looking. even my lemans stripes near the front end have little chips in it now.

i think if i had a fancy kirkham or csx, i would need a 2nd replica to replicate it.

maybe that's why they are sold. spend $150k on a car you dont drive too much? but i would still do it

[shelby7]

When my Father passed away, his GT500 Shelby Cobra was in the garage under a car cover. It is in my mothers name and she wants me to help her sell it. It would be better in this situation to sell rather than to give to one family member and the others fight over it. Let's face it, it is an original classic and who wouldnt want to possess it? So now, its for sale. Hard to do but looking for real buyers.

[WardL]

I was very surprised when I went shopping and found so many Cobras less than 2,000 miles. The typical story was the build was "money no object", wanted the best of everything. After delivery and the first few rides, it wasn't what they wanted. Wife or kids would not go with him. It was either too cold or too hot to go for a ride. These were people that would be happier in a Vett. The T-shirt about a Cobra is stinky, loud, uncomfortable, etc is right. It sure helps to keep it if your wife enjoys the ride.

[sharpe 1]

I think many of these cars were built as a challange and not to keep and drive.Some get carried away during the build.I also think a lot of people don't know what a hand full these cars are to drive and own. They are not always a plesure to drive

[mnjts@aol.com]

Hello,

I have a cobra with a Ford Cobra engine 392 with a 4bbl carb. Smells super strong, like running rich at stop signs.....any suggestions?

[Eljaro]

Besides many reasons listed here (money, wife, friends, etc) I think that many have not really experienced the Cobra performance to its fullest and so do not know the ultimate satisfaction it provides.
Racetrack is ok but you have to get there. Much better is the empty curvy roads close to where you live where you can go any time and where you can really slam it and accelerate through the gears to the rev limiter. I mean really go fast.
I admit,that is uncivilized, illegal and also dangerous, but that is what makes for the real Cobra experience. Many are unadventurous und just wont do that.
You need to have driving skills to fully exploit a Cobras potential, and many just do not have that nor the experience of handling really fast cars.
Many also don't keep their Cobras long enough to get to know it and to master its handling. Many also get afraid of the monster they have, because a Cobra is a Monster you have to drive with respect.
I have my cobra for 20 years now and its a keeper. Until I am too old to drive it.

[DanEC]

Originally Posted by RET_COP

How about "Old Age" sad to say, and this is a forced event that we can all see coming. I believe and hope , but not looking forward to, that I have to sell my Cobra because of this [not something that will derail me sooner]. At 53 I hope I have 15 quality years left where I WANT and CAN drive it. I have to push the thought out of my mind.
Can anyone with experience chime in on this.
Lou

Personally, at 61-1/2 I'm hoping for more than 6 or 7 more fun years enjoying my cars. Those are going to go by too quick. But I think I do fit in with the group that probably gets more enjoyment out of the build and repair side than just driving.

[CowtownCobra]

Originally Posted by mnjts@aol.com

Hello,

I have a cobra with a Ford Cobra engine 392 with a 4bbl carb. Smells super strong, like running rich at stop signs.....any suggestions?

Hmmmm....you revived THIS thread to ask THAT question?