Newbie question re buying a cobra replica

[indianamoon]

Been wanting one of these for years. Actually ever since my dad talked me out of buying an original 427 cobra in the early 70's for the astronomical sum of $3500. Anyway, enough crying in my beer.....

Been looking at a number of replicas, kinda bottom feeding, as I want one for a daily driver (spent many years driving TR3's and early Healey's so pretzel ingress/egress, lack of a proper heater, rough ride, constant tweaking, female chastisement, are all no problem). Looking for one that doesn't have gobs of horsepower and isn't in showroom condition, that might keep me from driving it in potentially inclement weather.

That being said, some of the specimens that I have looked at are older, have been thru a few owners, and the history of the cars may have been lost. Some owners do not even know whose body and frame, build books/sheets have been lost, tops, side curtains (I live in northern indiana and we get lots of lake effect rain from Lake Michigan) and tonneau's may be missing.

The question is, should I worry about these things? Can this information be dug up somewhere, somehow? How will I know what brake pads to put on the 25 year old car that I am likely to end up with?

Links to previous threads, advice, encouragement, ideas, and your favorite chili recipe are all appreciated.

Thanx in advance,

Pat

[Dwight]

For years we had a local ma & pa parts store where we took parts and layed them on the counter then asked "what is it?". Last year he (Larry) retired and closed up. So we started doing business with O'Rielly's part store. Mostly young people working the counter. The first thing I told them was they were going to have to take Larry's place and most of the time we have hot rod parts and don't know what they are but need to buy a new one. It's been a little over a year and they are doing great. Last week I took a motor mount in from my Cobra and asked for a new one. He asks me make and model. I replied maybe a 70's Ford truck. He checked the computer and looked at the pictures of the parts. Not even close. So after ten minutes he took a large book off the shelve and turned to the motor mount section. About a minute we found the mount for a '73 - 75 Volvo. $6.24

I think all the stores have a set on manuals with pictures.
You will have to find a parts store that can help you.

Dwight

[Rickd]

Cobra Country web site is the place to monitor cobra replica offerings. And then jus do some "googling" as you never know what will pop up. Found my first cobra .. a used Unique small block FIA car that way. Sold it 3 years later on Cobra Country. Buy with resale in mind .. one of the solid build chassis that don't leave it up to every "kit builders" interpretation. Maybe an older ERA or Superformance .. those are the ones that I feel comfortable would do the "daily driver" trick as they are well built cars from chassis on up. The small block cars are (in my opinion) outstanding as you can - with a 5 speed tranny - have fun going through the gears yet still attain 20+ MPG on the highway in 5th gear. Their HP comes on in a higher rpm band so cruising at 80 mph on the highway is a 2200 rpm situation (depending on your 5th gear)...and when you want some hp and acceleration ... "depress pedal".

[Paul F]

Yes, you should consider spares when deciding what to purchase. Go with one of the better known manufacturers that have plenty of support on the forum and by the manufacturer.

[indianamoon]

And who is best to ship a car?

[Tommy]

indianamoon,
The thought that came to me as I read your thread is the challenge of routinely driving a Cobra in the rain. Even with a temperate engine and driver, it can be a challenge to keep such a light car on the road if you run the wide, dry weather tires commonly found on many of these cars. The tires are widest on the 427SC style cars. Pay attention to the tires on the car you buy and equip it with tires that both look right to your eyes, and can handle the occasional heavy rain. ... Good luck with your search.

[indianamoon]

Probably wouldn't take the car out if it was raining, but here on the east side of Lake Michigan, you can head out on a nice drive up the lake and have the rain come in off the lake unexpectedly. Also want the top for cooler weather, lots of great places within a couple hours drive that need to be explored, even in the spring and fall. Hey, I'm gonna use this thing!!

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by indianamoon

And who is best to ship a car?

Finished cars, I suggest Reliable, Intercity, Classic Auto carriage.


As for buying a used Cobra, if you cannot identify the make and manufacturer, your best bet is to walk away from the car in question.


Check the link in my sig line for the basics of buying a used Cobra.


Bill S.

[Mr Jody]

You may have already done this, but as part of your search, since you are in Indiana, you may want to establish some points of contact with the Ohio Cobra Club, and the Kentucky Cobra Club, You may run across someone who knows someone, who knows someone (etc.), who has one for sale and knows the history behind it, or could help in identifying replacement parts for one that you find elsewhere. And just getting the word out there through these clubs that you are looking, you could be that someone who someone knows (etc.) who is looking to buy, and they have been thinking about selling but just not ready to go through the hassle. Or you might run across one that is “almost” finished. It sounds like from your experience with cars, you probably have the ability to finish an unfinished project if you don't mind taking that route.
Ohio Cobra Club | Home
Kentucky Cobra Club.