Can you help direct my search?

[maytag]

Good morning y'all!

I'm here to learn. using the search function, I haven't seen this specific query used here, so I'm going to hope you'll indulge me a bit, and help direct me to applicable threads, if any.

I'm looking to purchase my first Cobra, and I need to know what the right things to know are. I don't know how different all of the various builds (and builders?) are, really? Or how much it really matters?

Here's what I think I'm looking for, in some sort of ordered-list:
1. I think i want it to be registerable as vintage. My county has tough emissions laws, and I need to be sure I can drive it legally.... what do y'all do about this?
2. it needs to sound incredible. I'm a gear-head and the sound of a motor is more important to me than its specific HP output.
3. it needs to handle really well. I'm a licensed club road-racer, and a track instructor for the local Porsche Club of America. I'd like to take it to the track once or twice a year and not hurt myself in it trying to make it do something it's not good at. (Who else here tracks your Cobra? what do I need to know?)
4. reliable. We just bought a historic home with a mini-farm, so I won't have much spare time to do much more than regular maintenance on this. (I don't want a project)
5. Are heaters / defrosters standard on most builds? that'll be important, but maybe not a deal-breaker. teach me.
6. I'm not rich. I want a good value, and I want it cheap. haha. But I'm willing to pay for more, when it makes sense. I'd think my current budget is under $50k-ish.
7. Looks are last in importance. I think they ALL look good, frankly. It needn't have perfect paint, or excellent interior. I don't like black, but I'm pretty good at vinyl wraps.

So; given this list..... what do I need to know? What features should I look for? What questions should I be asking?

Thanks in advance!

[strictlypersonl]

Are you looking for a pre-built car or are you going to build from a kit? I'm told that used cars are going for a premium right now.

[1985 CCX]

Welcome

There are a few threads on this topic.
Use the search function on toolbar....

Where are you located?
Use forum (also in toolbar) in your area to find others with cars, learn from those that have them.

I say there are three owner types: (pic one then search for your dream)
a) Wants a hot-rod that looks like a Cobra (lowest cost generally)
b) Wants a Cobra reasonably concerned with period correctness
c) Want the period car, a full-on tribute (most $$)

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by maytag

Good morning y'all!

I'm here to learn. using the search function, I haven't seen this specific query used here, so I'm going to hope you'll indulge me a bit, and help direct me to applicable threads, if any.

I'm looking to purchase my first Cobra, and I need to know what the right things to know are. I don't know how different all of the various builds (and builders?) are, really? Or how much it really matters?

Here's what I think I'm looking for, in some sort of ordered-list:
1. I think i want it to be registerable as vintage. My county has tough emissions laws, and I need to be sure I can drive it legally.... what do y'all do about this?
2. it needs to sound incredible. I'm a gear-head and the sound of a motor is more important to me than its specific HP output.
3. it needs to handle really well. I'm a licensed club road-racer, and a track instructor for the local Porsche Club of America. I'd like to take it to the track once or twice a year and not hurt myself in it trying to make it do something it's not good at. (Who else here tracks your Cobra? what do I need to know?)
4. reliable. We just bought a historic home with a mini-farm, so I won't have much spare time to do much more than regular maintenance on this. (I don't want a project)
5. Are heaters / defrosters standard on most builds? that'll be important, but maybe not a deal-breaker. teach me.
6. I'm not rich. I want a good value, and I want it cheap. haha. But I'm willing to pay for more, when it makes sense. I'd think my current budget is under $50k-ish.
7. Looks are last in importance. I think they ALL look good, frankly. It needn't have perfect paint, or excellent interior. I don't like black, but I'm pretty good at vinyl wraps.

So; given this list..... what do I need to know? What features should I look for? What questions should I be asking?

Thanks in advance!

Originally Posted by maytag

Hello All! I'm a new member who has just begun my search for my first Cobra. I don't know near enough about which one I want, or why some are $35k and some are $120k. So I'm here to learn, first, then to shop.

I just sold my Ferrari F430 Spider, but it's full winter here so I couldn't drive it anyway. But come spring, I'm going to really miss it, unless I've pulled the trigger on the cobra already.... so that's my timeline.

Thanks in advance for all of your help!

Start by educating yourself as to the different brands of Cobra, ERA, SPF, CSX, Unique, Backdraft, Factory Five Racing, and a host of others.

Next, decide on which body style you want, 427SC, 427 street, 289FIA, 289 street.

Finally, before anything else, decide on how close a look and feel you want to an original.

Start your quest by CLICKING HERE

Everyones tastes are their own, take your time and learn the differences, do not get caught up in the sales hype of this vs that.

Hope you find this helpful.

Bill S.

PS: A cobra, real or replica, will be unlike anything you have ever driven on the street or the track. No matter your driving experience, as soon as you sit in the car, even before you turn the key, it will try it's best to kill you. Yes, really.

[twobjshelbys]

Twice???

[twobjshelbys]

You'll search long and hard for a 50K cobra. Consider that the power train alone can exceed 20K...

Whatever, resist the temptation to "build a kit". I'd lay even money that in a year little or no progress has been made and that in two it'll be for sale here. Buy a completed, sorted out car.

Like I said in the other reply, start with Cobra Country to see what the offerings are in your price range.

[twobjshelbys]

Being able to register as an emissions exempt car will absolutely depend on the rules where you live. Check here for other experiences in your state. There is a whole subforum dedicated to registrations.

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by maytag

4. reliable. We just bought a historic home with a mini-farm, so I won't have much spare time to do much more than regular maintenance on this. (I don't want a project)

Oh well, that pretty much excludes a Cobra.

I think everyone here will pretty much confirm that a Cobra is a Tinkerer's Dream (or nightmare, depending on which side of the fence you sit.)

They are mechanically a 60's race car. Lots of things to tweek. The engine is a 60s engine.

Don't be tricked into putting a modern (Coyote) engine in a Cobra. It's an orphan and will be hard to sell later. (Of course, if that's what you want they show up every now and then.)

I'd suggest you look for a Corvette.

[maytag]

Originally Posted by twobjshelbys

Twice???

No, not twice.
First thread you replied to was in the introductions, which the rules say I was required to make, and it wasn't intended to be anything but that. This post was in what I felt was the most correct forum, and actually laid-out the questions and the criteria.
Every group has their own unspoken protocols that new guys have to contend with before we 'fit in'. I'll get there.

for the record: I've built many, many cars, Bikes, motors, etc etc. None of it scares me, I just don't want to buy something that I'll need to work on more than drive (like a classic jaguar, for instance). And I can't buy a corvette; I'm bald, so no hair to develop into a mullet.

Everything is subjective, right? My threshold for "enough hp" will be different from others'. What sounds good to me will likely piss off some of the neighbors. etc etc. But these sorts of responses in the thread so far will be very helpful in weeding through and learning what I can from them. Eventually and ultimately, there will be several voices who rise to the top of my attention who will undoubtedly see ownership in the way I think suits me, and I'll gravitate towards their advice. this is the way.

thanks for your comments so far, and for the rest, too. I'll monitor and reply as I'm able to. Y'all are an active group and I appreciate this! I'll hope and plan to be an active contributor as I get deeper into the passion.

[maytag]

Originally Posted by strictlypersonl

Are you looking for a pre-built car or are you going to build from a kit?

Prebuilt only. Not interested in a project right now.

Originally Posted by 1985_CCX

I say there are three owner types: (pic one then search for your dream)
a) Wants a hot-rod that looks like a Cobra (lowest cost generally)
b) Wants a Cobra reasonably concerned with period correctness
c) Want the period car, a full-on tribute (most $$)

Of these choices, I guess I might be closest to 'a'. I was friends with Larry Miller and heard him say repeatedly "they were either there or they weren't".
I've ridden shotgun at the racetrack with Bill Murray in the real deal 289 and 427 cars. But frankly, I couldn't give two hoots about period correct or original vs whatever. I don't need somebody to think that I'm driving something that's pretending to be something it's not. I want a performance car that looks bad-a$$....

Originally Posted by twobjshelbys

You'll search long and hard for a 50K cobra. Consider that the power train alone can exceed 20K...

A quick search nets literally 50 cars in the U.S. either for sale currently, or sold recently, for under $50k. Hence the question I've posed regarding what distinguishes those from the $100k-plus builds? I've no doubt there's something to that, but what is it? Maybe it's stuff I don't care about (see above).

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by maytag

Prebuilt only. Not interested in a project right now.



Of these choices, I guess I might be closest to 'a'. I was friends with Larry Miller and heard him say repeatedly "they were either there or they weren't".
I've ridden shotgun at the racetrack with Bill Murray in the real deal 289 and 427 cars. But frankly, I couldn't give two hoots about period correct or original vs whatever. I don't need somebody to think that I'm driving something that's pretending to be something it's not. I want a performance car that looks bad-a$$....



A quick search nets literally 50 cars in the U.S. either for sale currently, or sold recently, for under $50k. Hence the question I've posed regarding what distinguishes those from the $100k-plus builds? I've no doubt there's something to that, but what is it? Maybe it's stuff I don't care about (see above).

Attention to detail, and quality of build.

In your case, and budget, I see a well built, IRS equipped Factory Five in your future.


Bill S.