Contemporary Year ?

Denny S. · #1 (**permalink**) 03-04-2002, 10:39 AM

Can the age of the car be determined by the Contemporary
Number.. IE CCX33345 ?

John McMahon · #2 (**permalink**) 03-04-2002, 11:55 AM

Denny,

Since the records don't really exist anymore (Burtis didn't even want them!), I think the only way to determine is one of the following:

- Look up serial number through DMV to determine the first year it was regeistered.

- Find other Contemporary owners with 'near' serial numbers and determine through them.

- Does the car have a coil over or torsion bar front end? I believe Contemporary switched all cars over to a coil over front end in 1992.

I know the lead mechanic from the Contemporary factory and if it was a factory built car, there is a slight chance he may remember it, but that's highly doubtful.

Denny S. · #3 (**permalink**) 03-04-2002, 01:28 PM

It's a coil over front end. But I know that Canaska in Fla. did alot of suspension work on it. Installed the AMP rear with the quad Koni's and eilbach springs up front with remote oil resevoir Penske's. I'm kinda remembering that somewhere along the line I heard 94, but I can't remember where or when.

Al Zack · #4 (**permalink**) 03-04-2002, 05:58 PM

Denny,
I have CCX33845, took delivery of the kit in spring of 1994. It has coil-overs in front. At least that sets the high end date.

Al

Denny S. · #5 (**permalink**) 03-04-2002, 07:36 PM

THats cool, My car is exactly 500 younger than yours.. Must be 92
or 93 maybe older..

skibum2 · #6 (**permalink**) 03-04-2002, 09:06 PM

having a contemporary from the 80's, I really can't find a serial number...is this car not one of these? I know that the make no longer exists, but there are quite a few "contemporary" in the club..any info. would be appreciated. thanks

John McMahon · #7 (**permalink**) 03-05-2002, 07:27 AM

skibum.....

All Contemporary's had their serial numbers stamped on the Driver's Side main tube rail under the shock tower. It is a faint imprint, so you'll really have to look hard.

skibum2 · #8 (**permalink**) 03-05-2002, 09:45 PM

thank you for the info...I will check it out and post the numbers to date this ride...the car was first registered in '97, but was bought in the 80's, now it is registered in Wash. state as a home built.....I could have told them it was a pinto replica and they would not have cared...as long as they got their tax due....no inspection on out of state cars anymore...thanks again.. Finally found the numbers, 3092.....on the frame....any idea when this was made?... larry

Rolling Thunder · #9 (**permalink**) 03-07-2002, 09:37 PM

Mine is so old, it doesn't have the CCX prefix. The fenderwell tag simply says S/N 3042. I'm the third owner, and have some receipts for the original owner going back to 1983. But it is possible that the car was delivered earlier than that. It took him several years to put it together.

Not much help, but interesting trivia. Too bad there isn't a registry for the Contemporaries. I know there is one being worked on for the SPF's.

Anyone know what Peter Bayer went on to after selling the company to Burtis? Did he completely disassociate himself from the hobby and remove himself from contact?

Keith

John McMahon · #10 (**permalink**) 03-07-2002, 09:43 PM

P. Bayer now owns Nisonger Automotive dealing with Smith guages.

Jack Mack · #11 (**permalink**) 03-10-2002, 04:05 PM

Denny, I have Contemporary serial # ccx-33806 and it left the Mamaroneck N. Y.shop on June 7th 1993.
Jack

48 IDA · #12 (**permalink**) 12-07-2002, 05:27 PM

I PURCHASED MY DELUXE HOME BUILDERS KIT FROM VANCE
MORRISON, THE N.J. CONTEMPORARY DEALER IN JULY OF 1982.
CONTEMPORARY DID NOT HAVE CCX # AT THIS TIME. THE N.J.
DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE CHASSIS # WAS THE DATE IT WAS
MADE. EXAMPLE JULY 17 1982, WAS 071782. THE BODY ALSO
HAD A SEPERATE # ON A FOIL SQUARE, GLUED TO THE TOP OF THE FIREWALL BEHIND THE DASH.
CONTEMPORARY DID NOT OFFER ORIGIN OF MANUFACTURE PAPERS AT THIS TIME. WHEN TIME CAME TO TAG THE CAR, THE DMV INFORMED ME MINE WOULD BE THE LAST CAR TO BE TITLED IN MARYLAND W/O ORIGIN OF MANUFACTURE PAPERS. I PASSED THE WORD ON TO CONTEMPORARY. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE
COMPANY STARTED OFFERING CCX #'S AND PROPER PAPER WORK
AFTER THIS.

THERE WAS A REFENANCE MADE TO A REGISTERY FOR CONTEMPORARY CARS, HOW MUCH INTREST IS OUT THERE
FOR THIS?

DON.

A Snake · #13 (**permalink**) 12-07-2002, 06:32 PM

My Contemporary #CCX33868 was ordered in kit form in June 1994. It arrived the first week of Sept. same year. Coil over car. Was told at the time that it could be ordered either way.

What was new in '94 was the watts linkage for the rear end as an option. It was a $2,500 addition, but I did it. Came with special hub carriers which later proved to have a poorly thought out center pivot bolt which broke because it was only 3/8" on the threads and 1/2" on the shank and hardened. One on each side and I had both of them break.

Al

wtcobra · #14 (**permalink**) 12-07-2002, 07:57 PM

CCX3-3715 was delivered 12-20-91. Had Watts Linkage set up. Deluxe home builder's kit with front coil overs. Paid 28K including shipping. Received it Christmas Eve 1991. Replaced center pivot bolts with 5/8 ones. Car is streetable and will run in the high nines. I have run a 10.2 with DOT Hoosiers and a full windshield. Stills looks like a new one and yes it has a FE although a slighty tweaked one. I have had a number of people tell me that they had a Contemporary when upon examination it turned out to be something else. The Contemporary is probably the most copied replica in existence.

wt

wt

A Snake · #15 (**permalink**) 12-07-2002, 08:08 PM

Thanks for the correction on the watts WT. I guess that was one more of many lines of BS I got from that jackass.

How did you keep the pivot linkage freed up without a shouldered bolt? Thread depth or what? I've heard other guys putting in bigger bolts, but never bothered to ask what they did.

Al

A Snake · #16 (**permalink**) 12-07-2002, 08:21 PM

WT,

Just noticed you're from Evansville! I'll bet you and I met while I was there. I lived in Boonville in '98. If I remember right, you had it at the Sonic Cruise in late summer of '98. I had the white w/blue stripes Contemporary that they put on MCC. Also had it at Autofest '98.

Seems like there was a Midstates there with you or another Contemporary. Your brother's?

I also think I talked to you on the phone when I learned there was another Contemporary in town. I forget now who put me in touch.

How's Green River Rd? Still got kids cruisin? Does that black sprint car still run around town?

Long time no see! I came back to Oregon in Feb. '99. That's why you haven't seen the car around. If you see Dennis Gage, tell him hi for me.

Al

wtcobra · #17 (**permalink**) 12-07-2002, 09:57 PM

As I recall I put a small shouldered sleeve in the carrier after machining it for the larger bolts. A friend thru bolted his Watts. I remember speaking with you on the phone. It was my brother with a blue M.S. and his friend that you probably talked to at the Sonic cruise in Newburgh. The other Contemporary was Scott Richey's FIA, which is the first FIA Contemporary built and was recently featured in Kit Car Magazine. It is truly a small world and I shall tell Dennis Gage you said hello the next time I see him. He has become quite a celebrity.

wt

bmalone · #18 (**permalink**) 12-07-2002, 10:03 PM

I have # 33446, which should be 11 cars newer than yours. Mine was built in 1990.

A Snake · #19 (**permalink**) 12-08-2002, 02:41 AM

WT,

If you haven't already, offer Dennis a ride in your car. I had lunch with him and took him for a spin in mine out on the Lloyd Expressway. You should have seen the grin under that mustache! He really does like Cobras. Neat guy.

Al

John Montgomery · #20 (**permalink**) 12-09-2002, 08:45 AM

Denny:

My Contemporary's SN is CCX-3-3344...the one just before yours. Mine was built in 1989. 472 SO, Jag front & rear, 4-speed top loader, guardsman blue with white stripes.

See also the 12-08-02 thread from RACER X-99. He's compiling a list off all CC owners.

Hope this helps....

John