Cobra build on TV circa 2000

[zekespeed]

I don't think anyone believes me that there was a series featuring a kit Cobra built by a female host/mechanic/race driver and a helper. It was on History or Discovery, IIRC. I have looked and looked, no love. It was not "A Car is Born" with Mark Evans. I first saw Mark Evans when he restored the XKE.

I'm not trolling. I'm Zeke on various Porsche forums but now out of the game.

Now what's bothering me at my age (late 70's) is that the object TV car maybe was not in fact a Cobra. So, does anyone remember a skinny brunette that built a car on TV back then? Was it a Cobra or something else?

I think everyone here knows the Cobra is the biggest selling kit maybe only eclipsed by the various VW floorpan kits/buggies. And IDK about that.


Note: I joined here to help solve this mystery that has been in the back of my mind for years. I used to watch all those shows like "Shade Tree Mechanic" with Dave Bowman and Sam Memmolo. They helped me relaunch an interest in working on cars that has grown to a couple dozen since I was 50. All gone now.

In an earlier life I worked for Mickey Thompson and others and was on a F5000 pit crew. I had Corvettes and VW's back in that day (the 60's).

[Harpoon PV2]

Originally Posted by zekespeed

I don't think anyone believes me that there was a series featuring a kit Cobra built by a female host/mechanic/race driver and a helper. It was on History or Discovery, IIRC. I have looked and looked, no love. It was not "A Car is Born" with Mark Evans. I first saw Mark Evans when he restored the XKE.

Yes you are loosing it! Just kidding! The show was All Girl Build, Watch bellow, it does have commercials, but we are all old enough to remember those. Cheers, Dennis


https://www.powernationtv.com/episod...ll-girls-build

[PDUB]

...that is not the show, Dennis, though I will be sure to watch it!!

Zeke,
Yes that was a real show, and you saw it on the DIY channel. It was Butch Capps of Mid-South Gear building a Unique Motorcars 427 car. Incidentally, he builds all of the rear ends for Unique. The show/network gave away a completed Unique Motorcars 427 car at some point, too!! It wasn't the build car. Some people have all the luck...

I have been after him for years to dig that up because I have yet to see it, as well. I need to call him anyway, so I will tell him that others are asking about it, too. I know it was multiple episodes. It sounds interesting, from what I have heard. Maybe I can build a little bit of a fire under him. I think he only has it on a VHS tape, so the quality isn't great. I told him it was way better than nothing! As I recall, he loaned the tape and needs to retrieve it.

I have search for it on YouTube and have yet to find any reference to its availability. I will let you know if I hear anything.

[zekespeed]

I should have mentioned it was not the "All Girls Garage" and not Jesse Combs or any of the others. I wrote out a post for my first thread here and it didn't make it past approval.

Definitely a woman host so that leaves out Butch. BTW, I never saw the Butch build. And I forgot about the DIY Channel and didn't mention Speed Channel.

[zekespeed]

I should have mentioned it was not the "All Girls Garage" and not Jesse Combs or any of the others. I wrote out a post for my first thread here and it didn't make it past approval.

Definitely a woman host so that leaves out Butch. BTW, I never saw the Butch build. And I forgot about the DIY Channel and didn't mention Speed Channel.

[PDUB]

I will find out the woman's name when I get to call him... if I remember right, there was another guy on the show, at times, as well.

[Thor maine]

I would love to get the Cobra build that was on Last Chance Garage with Brad Sears! It was on PBS over I think around 10 episodes in the late 80's or early 90's and was a Contemporary Classic build. Anyone have the series?

[zekespeed]

Wow, TV show series' are more than I heard about and I watched every home improvement and most cars shows. Some I couldn't stand. Stacey what's-his-name was barely tolerable and the trucks show missed the mark for me.

Mark Evans was excellent, but as I said I didn't watch his Cobra build show.

Now here is the weird part, I'm thinking the female host did her show and it was called "A Car Is Born." I'm really confused but this was all 25 years ago. I've searched but there does not seem to be any connection with Evans.

The home improvement shows took up most of every Saturday afternoon. YouTube started in 2005 and of course it was pretty limited at first. So DIY and show-how TV shows were abundant. Seems to me that this Cobra build was on a weeknight.

Who knew there were so many Cobras built for TV. So far I have unearthed Danielle Trotta and Courtney Hansen, neither of whom I am thinking.

[zekespeed]

double post due to slow forum speed

[Imlumpy]

Originally Posted by Thor maine

I would love to get the Cobra build that was on Last Chance Garage with Brad Sears! It was on PBS over I think around 10 episodes in the late 80's or early 90's and was a Contemporary Classic build. Anyone have the series?

I saw this as a teenager and never forgot it . I guess that’s where the cobra bug got started with me , I’d love to find this series somewhere .I remember when they finished it and drove it , loved when they jumped on it and it gave a perfect puff of black smoke out of both side pipes . I knew them at some point in life I’d have to have one . Bought mine in 2020 ! Goal reached . I’ve searched last chance garage but can’t find a single mention of it .

[Harpoon PV2]

Originally Posted by zekespeed

Wow, TV show series' are more than I heard about and I watched every home improvement and most cars shows. Some I couldn't stand. Stacey what's-his-name was barely tolerable

I don't like Stacey Davis Gears, because, when he was talking abought the Cobra, he dismissed the AC Ace as just a girls car! If a girl was driving an Ace, she was showing her tail to the other drivers! The Ace won the SCCA championship, five years in a row. Starting in class E, three years running, then they bumped them up to class D, and finally to class C where the mighty little 2 litter Ace's won again! Plus, the same thing happened over in it's home country! Carrol was pretty lucky to get AC to make the Ace cars for him! Cheers, Dennis