Newbie here..need some advice!!

[sapphire blue]

Hey guys...This is my first time on this board and I have a question I was hoping you could answer. I have admired Cobras for many years and want to eventually buy one. I don't know where to start. Is there a good book out there so I can educate myself first? I own a 2001 Viper RT/10 and I'm looking for a Cobra to put in the other side of my garage so my wife's daily driver has to sit outside next to mine. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!!

[RallySnake]

Sapphire,

Do you see that little blue button on the right side of the screen that says "search"? Click on that and type in "best cobra". Give it some time to find the hundreds of pages that have been written in response to that question. Then, sit back and absorb.

Enjoy,
Paul

[sapphire blue]

Originally posted by RallySnake


Sapphire,

Do you see that little blue button on the right side of the screen that says "search"? Click on that and type in "best cobra". Give it some time to find the hundreds of pages that have been written in response to that question. Then, sit back and absorb.

Enjoy,
Paul

Thanks Paul...I'll start there!!

[mattr762]

This is a good book to start with: Complete Guide to Cobra Replicas

Also check out THIS PAGE. It has links to most all the Cobra manufacturers in the U.S.A. Study everyones websites and spend hours upon hours reading the forum.

[mj_duell]

Hi sapphire,
Well it depends. You are just going out and buying one completed or are you planning on building one? If you are buying a completed Cobra, then it depends on how much you would like to spend. You can by a duplicate of a real 427/SC if you have the means. If you want to build one follow the instructions below:

1. Ask around at Club Cobra "Who makes the best kit?" This will cause a flood of flame posts that will cause the server to have a stroke.



2. After deciding that you liked one users answers and thought he has pretty pictures of his motor, ask "Which motor should I use?" this will again cause the server to have a stroke as well as the administrator.



3. Finally go out on your own and research all of the various manufactures websites and posts here at Club Cobra. You will find that each manufacturer says "Were the best!" at which point you may decide to go back to Club Cobra and ask "Is this Company the best?" That may cause the server to smoke like an FE with a valve cover leak.



4. After deciding on the Company to go with place your order and send off your money. Then wait....................and wait................and wait....................... Then get a call from the manufacturer saying that it may take a little longer that expected. Go to Club Cobra and complain. Others may join the weeping.



5. While waiting for your kit, make a budget for the parts you will need. Then double it..........and say "Wouldn't it be nice to have....." add 10%. Continue to add 10% for every month you are building. If you are married and your wife asks you how much it will cost, double it again.



6. Find someone to build you a good engine. Ask on Club Cobra "Who builds the best engines". You know what happens next.



7. Your kit arrives and you start your build . Say good-bye to the wife and kids and head for the garage. Oh, I forgot to mention...add 30% more for all of the extra tools that you now need. Oh, and 30% more for the out of garage expenses like welding, powder coating and the like. Buy beer and stand in front of the giant pile of parts and say...... "I don't think I can do this".



8. Sell the kit for a loss and buy a completed Cobra like you first intended.



---Just kidding.


Let me know an approximate range you would like to spend and if you want to build or buy a completed car. It would also be helpful if you told us what you want to do with the car when you have it. Like racing or show car or Sunday driver.


Thanks,

Mike

[sapphire blue]

Originally posted by mattr762


This is a good book to start with: Complete Guide to Cobra Replicas

Also check out THIS PAGE. It has links to most all the Cobra manufacturers in the U.S.A. Study everyones websites and spend hours upon hours reading the forum.

Thanks Matt..I'll order it today and start the learning process.

[Bud Man]

KIRKHAM MOTORSPORTS...

Great Car (Authentic to the original)
Great People (The Best)
Screamin Deal Thru January 17th ($39,900!!!)

What else do you need to know?

Bud

[sapphire blue]

Originally posted by mj_duell


Hi sapphire,
Well it depends. You are just going out and buying one completed or are you planning on building one? If you are buying a completed Cobra, then it depends on how much you would like to spend. You can by a duplicate of a real 427/SC if you have the means. If you want to build one follow the instructions below:

1. Ask around at Club Cobra "Who makes the best kit?" This will cause a flood of flame posts that will cause the server to have a stroke.



2. After deciding that you liked one users answers and thought he has pretty pictures of his motor, ask "Which motor should I use?" this will again cause the server to have a stroke as well as the administrator.



3. Finally go out on your own and research all of the various manufactures websites and posts here at Club Cobra. You will find that each manufacturer says "Were the best!" at which point you may decide to go back to Club Cobra and ask "Is this Company the best?" That may cause the server to smoke like an FE with a valve cover leak.



4. After deciding on the Company to go with place your order and send off your money. Then wait....................and wait................and wait....................... Then get a call from the manufacturer saying that it may take a little longer that expected. Go to Club Cobra and complain. Others may join the weeping.



5. While waiting for your kit, make a budget for the parts you will need. Then double it..........and say "Wouldn't it be nice to have....." add 10%. Continue to add 10% for every month you are building. If you are married and your wife asks you how much it will cost, double it again.



6. Find someone to build you a good engine. Ask on Club Cobra "Who builds the best engines". You know what happens next.



7. Your kit arrives and you start your build . Say good-bye to the wife and kids and head for the garage. Oh, I forgot to mention...add 30% more for all of the extra tools that you now need. Oh, and 30% more for the out of garage expenses like welding, powder coating and the like. Buy beer and stand in front of the giant pile of parts and say...... "I don't think I can do this".



8. Sell the kit for a loss and buy a completed Cobra like you first intended.



---Just kidding.


Let me know an approximate range you would like to spend and if you want to build or buy a completed car. It would also be helpful if you told us what you want to do with the car when you have it. Like racing or show car or Sunday driver.


Thanks,

Mike

That's a lot of info Mike and I appreciate your response. I would be buying one completed and it would be a Sunday driver with little racing other than some laps around the tracks in this area. Price range would be between 30 and 40. I'm gonna order that book and try to educate myself. I've looked at the ones for sale on this site and it's all Greek to me right now....but hey....Ive got to start somewhere.

[rdorman]

"sapphire blue" forgive me..........but is it just me or does anyone else recall some one by this name headlining at the Doll House?



All kidding aside, I think spending your time here is one of the best moves you will make in your purchase.

Rick

[sapphire blue]

Originally posted by rdorman


"sapphire blue" forgive me..........but is it just me or does anyone else recall some one by this name headlining at the Doll House?



All kidding aside, I think spending your time here is one of the best moves you will make in your purchase.

Rick

Rick, I've never heard of the Doll House, but it sounds like an "interesting place". FYI...the name is the color of my Viper and nothing else

[John Gramcko]

Hello Sapphire Blue,
I was in your predicament recently, I looked around and decided to buy a complete car built By Hall Fabrication & Racing, Inc. they are a Kirkham dealer in the Bay Area. Their doing a great job on my car. Their phone number is 510-724-9102, it's is working for me. Good luck with your searching.
John

[rdorman]

It is an interesting place! But leave the cards at home.

By the way, you pass. The 'skin thickness' test by the way

Call DV, you can have a viper powered cobra to go with that viper!

Rick

[grumpy]

Sapphire Blue,

The start question/answer for elimination on a COBRA would be;
1. Buy a finished car ready to go?
2. Buy a roller type car, plug my engine tranny and go?
3. Have what I want built to my specs and go?
4. Build it in my garage and not scratch up the Viper!

Base/unsolved Search Answers;
1. They can run from $16k to $120k!
2. They can run from $9k to $39k!
3. Thy can run $26k to $120k!
4. They can run from $7k to $17k!

Bottom line you can complete a sharp BigBlock for under 20k.

grumpy

[tfarhood]

Sapphire Blue,

Look in the For Sale section of this forum, lots of good cars here. If I didn't already have my engine and tranny, I would have called Jeff Karnitz about his Unique FIA for sale. Unique is a great kit/replica, Jeff has built many of them, there are less FIA's at any cobra gathering, and his car looks sooooHOT! Dollar for dollar his car is about as good as it gets for a NEW completed car.

You could also do what I did and buy a Backdraft roller, only in your case you could have the dealer make it Turnkey for you.

Both choices are in your budget listed above.

Good luck.

[USrowboy]

Look in the For Sale section of this forum, lots of good cars here.

I can't get into that part of the website. Has there, is there a problem?

[USrowboy]

nevermind, it's the cc main menu pulldown that doesn't let me in.
The "cobra's for sale" sectionworks.

: )