HELP PLEASE is this a good price?

cobra123 · #1 (**permalink**) 03-09-2003, 07:35 PM

i have a friend that is selling his cobra. 1965 cobra replica, needs some work, engine 350 chevy, i don't know the tranny or other specs.. needs new top, interior few minor detials and i would change the wheels, but i guess what i am asking is it a good investment for 10,000. i am not sure who put it together or any info yet. please let me know what you think.....

thanks ... soon to be cobra owner ....maybe

ST · #2 (**permalink**) 03-09-2003, 08:41 PM

From what little info you posted...........I'd pass on it!
Sounds like there's way too many unkowns.

RACERAL · #3 (**permalink**) 03-09-2003, 08:49 PM

post some pic.. it could be a good deal.. for the fix her up her

KobraKarl · #4 (**permalink**) 03-09-2003, 09:08 PM

who made it !! ? what kind of suspension? stick or auto? how is the paint? gauges? Interior? Is it complete?

Could be worth $20.000 or $2000

JimsGems · #5 (**permalink**) 03-09-2003, 09:10 PM

Cobra123;

Any additional info would be helpful, specifically which replica, and any other info you can find out and a photo or two would help too.

I'm in Orange, anything I can do to help, let me know. Jim

cobra123 · #6 (**permalink**) 03-09-2003, 09:15 PM

i want to thank you for the replies. i hope to get more info soon. but from what i have seen so far, the car does need some work fiber glass has some cracking around the trunk and hood but very little. i need to look more in dept at the car but runs resonably well no leaks or pings, has overheated recently but will post more info as i get it. thanks for the replies again. i think the engine maybe a 351 but still not sure. what numbers could i get on the block that could tell me more and where on the block are they located. the owner does not know who built it but i will hopefully soon find out.

Excaliber · #7 (**permalink**) 03-09-2003, 09:18 PM

10K is, generally speaking, a good price. But what a ton of unknowns to sort out. This really requires someone with experience on Cobra's. Asking the RIGHT questions is the key here. As far as the group goes, working from a distance, detailed pictures, lot's of specs, etc. would be your only hope on getting accurate information.

Might make a good race track car. Title and registration would number 1 on my list of things to look at. If you can't title it, you can't street drive it. And the title could be a nightmare!

Ernie

SCOBRAC · #8 (**permalink**) 03-11-2003, 01:28 AM

I bought my car the way you are. As it happens a little knowledge was a good thing. If I knew what it was when I bought it I would have likely given him more than I did.. Knowing nothing, or next to nothing about the maker can be a good thing.. It was a little more than what you are paying but as it turned out it was probably worth three times what I paid.. Of course I needed to improve it so I have pretty much doubled what I paid for it. Even so it will be worth a good deal more than I have in it when it is done.

Assume the worst.. Find the lowest priced Cobra you can and compare them.. Is your car better? Likely if you can do this more than a couple times you will get an idea what they are selling for.
Another simple way to determine value would be to put a price on each component, engine, tranny, rear end, fiberglass body, frame. If the value of the parts put in a pile is about equal or more than the price you are paying for the car you will likely come out ok.. Assume 2000 hours for a "from scratch" build.. Put a price on that.. That is the "cost" (maybe not the value, but what it would cost to build your car.. If your time is valuable 10k is cheap for a running car..

There are very few Cobras that can be built for under 15k.. Factory Five might be the best example as they use a Mustang 5.0 donor.. You take the price of the 5.0, allow for reselling the unused components, figure about 8k for the kit depending on the options.. You can probably build a running Factory Five for about 10k, plus your time, that doesn't generally allow for rebuilding the engine or tranny but if you invest more in a newer doner those things aren't likely needed anyway.

You couldn't build a Contemporary or an ERA for less than 50-55k and likely you would have more than that into it when done. Other Marques fall in between depending on whether you build a big block or small block, Ford or Chevy...

Shelby wanted to use a small block Chevy when he started.. You can build a nice 350 chevy for under 3k.. An original 427 side oiler can set you back over $10,000. for a used running example and as much as $20,000 for a 550hp example. New 427 aluminum side oilers from Shelby American are $35,000. By contrast a 502 Chevy crate engine can be had for $8500. new.

Good Luck,