How many people work on their own Cobra?

[michu]

Does gas count?

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by michu

Does gas count?

No but oil, transmission fluid, brake and clutch fluids do

Cosby couldn't figure it out, he just poured it on and it found its way in

[Luke427]

I do things myself even if sometimes it can end-up being a painful learning experience, as long as it doesn't require too specific tooling (such as replacing bearings).
So far on my Cobra:
- replaced front dampers
- replaced rear wheel bearings (after investigations and diagnostics)
- installed original ignition distributor with MSD box
- rebuilt fuel line, adding a regulator.
- installed original Ford riser with twin 4-barrel carbs (still problematic)
- fluid changes

I agree with what some mentioned, to own a Cobra is the opportunity to work on a high performance, yet simple machine with little or no electronics to get in our way

[Snake2998]

Yes - also wife and I built it starting some 30 years ago - finished it after 5 years.

[Tommy]

I prefer not to do body work (too tedious), paint (too important to leave to an inexperienced amateur like me) and engine block internals (the Butcher's story showed me there were too many ways for an amateur to get it wrong). But I did everything else when I disassembled my Cobra and rebuilt it about ten years ago. It took me about eight months and my goal was to have it back together in time for a three day track event. One of the biggest and most pleasant surprises of my life was when I finished it five days before the event and it ran flawlessly for all three days.

In addition to the Cobra, I did a body-off restoration of my 1963 Corvette in my garage, and I'm currently building a Cheetah replica starting from a partially completed tube frame and raw fiberglass body pieces. I've also restored/rebuilt two boats and the old, derelict school building I now call home.

[dallas_]

I built my FFR including the paint and body work and am working on a SL-C now.

I admire the scratch build guys. That's impressive.

[lnfletcher]

The only work done on mine other than me was the front end alignment and mounting and balancing tires. I didn't build the frame but did weld the roll bar and a few mounts onto it.
The first response I get when people look at the car is how cool it looks, the second best response it when I tell them I built it myself!

Not perfect, but wouldn't trade the experience for the world!

[Blue66]

Originally Posted by mrmustang

Cobras and so much more, just as long as it is not computer controlled or fuel injected, those two items I leave to the professionals

Did all my work in the 60/80s. Then 1985 moved on to computers/fuel injection/and turbo cars. My "new" Cobra was put the key in it and drive. Still do small stuff to it but not much. Simply don't have the time. Still can do the turbo stuff though.. Kind of a sickness.

[mdross1]

Have done near a dozen muscle car body off restorations, built my Cobra originally for racing now strictly street. My passion for over 10 yrs now has been restoring antique John Deere tractors and implements.

[Bartruff1]

And I mean nothing....I don't even wash it.....when it gets dirty or about once a week I have " The Naked College Girls" come up and wash and wax it.

Their motto is " We will do it at your place."....it only costs about $300 and sometimes my neighbors will even chip it.

We do what we can to encourage young girls to pursue a college education.

[keezling]

I'd say no other hands have touched my car but mine, but the number of fingerprints I'm endlessly cleaning off the body prove otherwise...

[Tim7139]

If it's mechanical, will do it, have done it on a variety of old/new cars and motorcycles.
Got lots of scars all over my hands for fond memories down the line.

[bwcobra15]

I started with this... yeah, I'd say i've been hands-on. The only nuts I haven't turned so far are on the engine build.

[RodKnock]

I check the Battery Tender from time-to-time, which requires me to lift up the car cover and then I get some dust on my hands. That's pretty dirty work.

I also have to use tools to R&R the license plate frame when I get my new registration sticker from the State of CA. Phew!

That's gotta count.

[G-Pete]

Yeah, my hand is up too....

[jhv48]

Originally Posted by Bartruff1

And I mean nothing....I don't even wash it.....when it gets dirty or about once a week I have " The Naked College Girls" come up and wash and wax it.

Their motto is " We will do it at your place."....it only costs about $300 and sometimes my neighbors will even chip it.

We do what we can to encourage young girls to pursue a college education.

What part of Washington are you in?

[Three Peaks]

Yeah, I've done a few things on my car, too.... in fact, it seems like everything I did had to be redone at least 3 times so I feel like I've built at least 3 cars....

Bob

[eschaider]

I bought an SPF roller so I didn't do any of the original chassis or body build work, SPF did. However, I do all of the engine, transmission and rear end / suspension work including removal of the Australian Dana and installation of a Ford Explorer IRS.

The engine work and build is entirely my own efforts including numerous one off pieces that I design and cut out of billet aluminum and sometimes steel. Mechanicals and engine building I am good at, the rest would make a grown man cry when he saw the carnage I wrought. Like Flint Beastwood said a man's gotta know his limits — or something like that.


Ed

[YerDugliness]

I bought mine running, but since then I have done everything that did not require a lift. Routine maintenance pays off!!

I would like to get myself some sort of drive-over lift...that would make tedious jobs like rotating the tires easier.

Other items that require special machinery (balancing tires, machine work, rebuilding the Traction-Loc, that sort of thing) I leave up to the shops...but I do provide all parts. I buy premium quality parts and want the warranties in my name.

I must say that I do enjoy building engines...and rebuilding them.

Cheers!!

Dugly

[era cobra]

I do all my own work except for paint.