Why??

[rodneym]

I could definately lose some around the mid section. That's why I got those Paxtons.

The wheels are waiting for the BBs....
Taking forever. They're now hot off the molds from Goodyear, shipping to Carroll Shelby Enterprises this week, mounted/balanced next week at Vintage....and then in my hot little hands.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by rodneym

I could definately lose some around the mid section. That's why I got those Paxtons.

The wheels are waiting for the BBs....
Taking forever. They're now hot off the molds from Goodyear, shipping to Carroll Shelby Enterprises this week, mounted/balanced next week at Vintage....and then in my hot little hands.

So, maybe, between the extra weight of the Paxtons and your mid-section, I might have a chance in the power-to-weight ratio contest? Come on, just say I have a chance. I swear, I'll go away happy and never bother you again.

So what you're trying to tell me is that old story about tires being out of stock, er, aka "the dog ate my homework."

[rodneym]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

So, maybe, between the extra weight of the Paxtons and your mid-section, I might have a chance in the power-to-weight ratio contest? Come on, just say I have a chance...

Uh........no.

[RACERAL]

My Factory 5 small block
was the most reliable car I owned for 10 years of ownership. Sold it, planning on building another... this time with a big block. Why, because I got tired of everyone asking me if my old car had a big block in it.

[PSB]

Well, I'm a bit late to this thread...but here goes.

I sold my Cobra with about 5000 miles on it. Why? I loved driving it on short trips on back roads, it drew a crowd everywhere I went, and I would frequently go out in the garage to just admire it, but driving on an interstate was pure hell. Loud (engine noise wasn't bad, it's the wind and road noise that gets you), miserably hot in the summer, bone chilling cold in the spring/fall. Stiff suspension beat the crap out of you if the roads aren't good. Having to check the weather before driving anywhere to make sure it wasn't going to rain was getting old also.

Another reason I sold was the safety factor. There's nothing between you and the mega SUV driven by a texting soccer mom but 1/4" of fiberglass. It seems like there's been a rash of fatal Cobra accidents in the past couple years. Maybe it's not any worse than usual, but we just hear about it more because of the internet.

So, you guys who love your Cobras - good for you, it just wasn't for me.

I still liked the idea of a raw, lightwieght, high HP performance car I can build myself, so I'm building a RCR Superlite Coupe with a roof, A/C and heat, and a full rollcage with side impact bars.

Big block vs small block - my Cobra had a small block because it was significantly cheaper, more reliable, less maintenance, easier to find parts, and it still sounded pretty dang good. I will admit, if money was no object, I would've had a aluminum block FE.

Pete

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by PSB

Well, I'm a bit late to this thread...but here goes.

I sold my Cobra with about 5000 miles on it. Why? I loved driving it on short trips on back roads, it drew a crowd everywhere I went, and I would frequently go out in the garage to just admire it, but driving on an interstate was pure hell. Loud (engine noise wasn't bad, it's the wind and road noise that gets you), miserably hot in the summer, bone chilling cold in the spring/fall. Stiff suspension beat the crap out of you if the roads aren't good. Having to check the weather before driving anywhere to make sure it wasn't going to rain was getting old also.

Another reason I sold was the safety factor. There's nothing between you and the mega SUV driven by a texting soccer mom but 1/4" of fiberglass. It seems like there's been a rash of fatal Cobra accidents in the past couple years. Maybe it's not any worse than usual, but we just hear about it more because of the internet.

So, you guys who love your Cobras - good for you, it just wasn't for me.

I still liked the idea of a raw, lightwieght, high HP performance car I can build myself, so I'm building a RCR Superlite Coupe with a roof, A/C and heat, and a full rollcage with side impact bars.

Big block vs small block - my Cobra had a small block because it was significantly cheaper, more reliable, less maintenance, easier to find parts, and it still sounded pretty dang good. I will admit, if money was no object, I would've had a aluminum block FE.

Pete

A straight-forward, honest answer. . And I think the OP has already come to his senses and given up the pie-in-the-sky, stupid idea of owning a Cobra.

[DanEC]

Originally Posted by PSB

Another reason I sold was the safety factor. There's nothing between you and the mega SUV driven by a texting soccer mom but 1/4" of fiberglass. Pete

IMO not enough is said about this. Different people deal with this differently- it worries some of us more than others. Also depends on where you live and your driving environment. There are only a few hours in the day that I'm willing to get out on the street in either my 66 Vette or my ERA. I watch other drivers like a hawk but it's difficult to judge those big SUVs roaring up on your tail while I'm sitting at a light or that I'm passing while they are waiting to pull out into traffic. I love my old cars but my advancing age makes me more appreciative of the years I have left and I limit driving them to try and improve my odds.

[RodKnock]

You should also be careful of stepping off curbs, eating too much, not exercising enough, etc.

You're more likely to get into an accident as a pedestrian or develop heart disease than get into an accident while driving your Cobra.

[DanEC]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

You should also be careful of stepping off curbs, eating too much, not exercising enough, etc.

You're more likely to get into an accident as a pedestrian or develop heart disease than get into an accident while driving your Cobra.

I beg to differ around here. People drive like idiots. One swoop lane changes across 3 lanes of traffic at the last second to exit the freeway and running red lights are spectator sport around here.

[PSB]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

You should also be careful of stepping off curbs, eating too much, not exercising enough, etc.

You're more likely to get into an accident as a pedestrian or develop heart disease than get into an accident while driving your Cobra.

Well, I've never been hit as a pedestrian, and I don't have heart disease, but I have had two vehicles totaled in accidents caused by other drivers. One turned left right in front of me and the other ran a red light doing about 50mph. I walked away from both accidents, but if I'd been driving my Cobra in the first one I'd have had serious injuries, and the second I'd be dead.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by DanEC

I beg to differ around here. People drive like idiots. One swoop lane changes across 3 lanes of traffic at the last second to exit the freeway and running red lights are spectator sport around here.

RodKnock just enjoys being contrary.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by patrickt

RodKnock just enjoys being contrary.

Actually, I'm more of a statistician.

The fact of the matter is that nearly every one of us use our Cobras so infrequently (most are bought, used and sold with very little mileage) that pedestrian accidents and heart disease would be greater risks to the general Cobra owner population.

[cycleguy55]

FWIW, not once, but twice in the past six weeks I've had someone nearly collide with me while I was driving the Cobra. In both situations I was turning left into a parking lot (Home Depot, then Staples / Costco) across two driving lanes, while the miscreants were both exiting the parking lot and attempting to turn left into the same path I would have been on, had I continued straight. In both cases I had my turn signal on (and yes, I checked to ensure they work) and both times it appeared they were looking over and behind me. It was as if their motoring paradigm was 1/2 ton trucks and SUVs which, by the way, we have a lot of around here. Notwithstanding the fact my Cobra is a pretty bright red with a hint of orange, it would seem to be nearly invisible - at least at that height. Almost reminds of the two summers I rode a murdercycle...

Maybe I should jack the Cobra up and put it on 32" off road tires. Anyone know where I can get a lift kit?

[PSB]

[cycleguy55]

So that's what it would look like!

I'm told there's a Cobra body in our area w/o a frame - I could pick up an old Jeep or Exploder Sport, take a few inches out of the wheelbase and voila, Cobra 4x4. The really twisted part of this is it would probably be easier to get safety approval on that than it did for my freshly imported, but previously owned, West Coast Cobra. Not that I'm bitter about that experience or anything.

[cycleguy55]

While the primary reason I went looking for a West Coast built Cobra was the longer wheelbase and (slightly) increased legroom, the more robust frame (Cobra Chassis Information) was also something that appealed to me. I'm certainly not looking for a collision, but the additional structural members in these cars is certainly some comfort should such an unwanted event occur. The downside, of course, is a car that weighs significantly more than many other Cobras, but that's something I am quite prepared to accept.

[RET_COP]

My Cobra and others alike is the closest thing to a full fledged race car with plates, able to, and looks comfortable at the Drag Strip, an Autocross, a Road Course, and makes people old and young wave and point. It is pure and simple an adrenaline release. Is that for you... It is for many of us, and it is for me. I like working on my car and taking pride in doing so. My only worry is getting too old for it all...

[*13*]

Small blocks beat ferrari.