Want opinions before I buy

want2bcobra · #1 (**permalink**) 01-09-2004, 12:24 AM

I am very interested in purchasing this cobra. It is a Shell Valley completed kit. Please let me know if you think this is the right direction to go. I have a limited budget that I want to spend on the car. Also I want to drive it more than build it that is why I was looking for a car that was ready to go. The car was finished in Jan. 03 and only has a few hundred miles on it. It has a 351W and a Tremec 3550 5-Speed. Thanks for helping me make this decision.

http://i11.ebayimg.com/01/i/01/0d/4d/60_3.JPG
http://i3.ebayimg.com/01/i/01/0d/64/a8_3.JPG
http://i5.ebayimg.com/01/i/01/0d/41/d2_3.JPG

mrmustang · #2 (**permalink**) 01-09-2004, 04:51 AM

I'm just a little biased as I too have a Cobra for sale. However, the paint looks nice, the body sits a little too high, the seller really is not too sure what he has on his hands, as he lists an "Electronic Weber carb", when in fact he has an edlebrock carb on the engine (some are marked weber on the side) with an electric choke. The HP figures thrown around are not substantiated by any dyno testing, so is not factual at this time either. Read the description again carefully, notice that while he states he has halibrad knock offs, he also lists them as "4 lug"............Just some of the items that stand out from this sellers original auction listing:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2450272125

Personally, I do not know the car, but I would have someone look at the car before purchasing.....As I would suggest with any Cobra replica, as there are some really nice replicas in the 20-30K range, and some really crappy ones.....No two are the same, especially when they are hand built by others...................

Hope you find this just a bit helpful.

Sincerely,

Bill S.

want2bcobra · #3 (**permalink**) 01-09-2004, 09:03 AM

Thanks for the reply. From what I know the car was built at:
http://www.theshoppeisus.com
They are a replica shop in AZ. I am really looking for as many opinions as I can get.

I did read that most Shell Valley cobras ride high, so I think that is normal. Also I think he is just writing the specs down from what he has as he does not seem extremely knowledgeable about the car, but then again he did not build it (which is good).

Would anyone know from the description what the HP might be? I mean could it be 407? I am going to ask about a dyno sheet as well.

Thanks.

np

Shell Valley · #4 (**permalink**) 01-09-2004, 09:04 AM

That is a nice looking car, but, judging from the pics I don't think it's a Shell Valley. The gas cap, rear fender flares, and door panels just don't look quite right. That's not to say these things couldn't have been changed but I would guess that it's not a Shell Valley.

Hope this helps!
Dana

want2bcobra · #5 (**permalink**) 01-09-2004, 09:16 AM

Wow, that would be very suprising if it was not a Shell Valley because the please that built it told him they used all Shell Valley parts. I will check into this as it is something that I would really like to know.

Thanks.

avanti-176 · #6 (**permalink**) 01-09-2004, 10:05 AM

I don't remember where but I do remember that when I was doing research before I bought my car I recall seeing an article or thread on another site that was not very complimentary about the
guys that built that car. I think it was in referance to one of their lambo kits but either way I would be careful before I plunked down $25,000.
The gas cap looks funny,the way it sits looks horrible IMHO but that is in the eye of the beholder as they say.The other thing that strikes me as funny is that on their web site all of the important pictures that I would like to look at (chassis set up,frame ect.) don't seem to work. Maybe its just me but I find that suspicious.

Other than those gripes it LOOKS (and I stress ) LOOKS like a nice car but I would heed MrMustangs advice (as he seems to buy and sell Cobras at a much greater pace than your average individual

) I guess after all that rambling all I am saying is be very careful before you throw down the cash.

Good luck,
Dan

p.s. You might try calling Shell valley and see if they know anything about these guys building their cars.

avanti-176 · #7 (**permalink**) 01-09-2004, 10:11 AM

I have to recant my gripe about the pictures on their website not working as I just tried again on a couple of the other cars and they worked fine.

Have a good one,
Dan

mikiec · #8 (**permalink**) 01-09-2004, 11:13 AM

According to their web site, the car is a rattlesnake 427.

From their site..

RATTLESNAKE 427
(Click to enlarge picture)

Our Cobra 427 replica is made of a combination of robust handlaid and chopper-gunned fiberglass, complete with core mat reinforcements. The frame is composed of sturdy steel in a 2" x 4" box-steel format. The mounting points can be tailored to fit various engine and transmission configurations. Our frame design supports a Mustang II, Jaguar, coil-overs, as well as various other parts. You can also choose which engine you prefer.

You can build the kit yourself, or have us build a turnkey for you--to your specifications. We specialize in all facets of the automobile industry--mechanical, fiberglass, and auto body--so you can be assured you're receiving the highest quality available. Building replicas is our specialty. So, if you don't have all that extra time to build your own car, let us do the hard work for you. You select the parts you want to use--whether it be a Mustang II, Jaguar, Cougar, or other compatible part. We do the rest! You can have a custom Cobra 427 replica built to your exact specifications.

The average build time is between two to four months, depending upon the current demand. You are welcome to visit our facilities at any time during the build process to see your car progress from kit to turnkey.

KIT PRICES:

EXTERIOR $ 4,500
INTERIOR $ 500
STEEL FRAME $ 1,995
PACKAGE DEAL (includes all the above) $ 6,500 (save $495)

ROLLING CHASSIS: $18,595

TURNKEY VEHICLE: Please call for base price

*All pictures are property of The Shoppe. Unauthorized use is prohibited by law.*

NOTE: All prices subject to change due to market conditions and customer selection of materials.

want2bcobra · #9 (**permalink**) 01-09-2004, 11:19 AM

Yes, I have checked out the site, but they are not around anymore I don't think. The number is not in service and no email replies.

I just looked at the Street Beast kits after talking to Dana at Shell Valley (thanks Dana, you were VERY helpful) and it does look much more like that body then the Shell Valley body.

What does everyone think of that?

Nathan

goaztecs · #10 (**permalink**) 01-09-2004, 11:28 AM

I think you will be happier with a car that is based upon a kit from a company that is still in business. Aftermarket parts and advice have proven to be a major factor in my project. There are about 5 or 10 makers that compose about 80% of the cars out there, and I would stongly suggest buying one (Shell Valley, Superformance, FFR, B&B, Kirkham, ERA, others). I believe that this will also help your resale. This is my strongest advice. Where are you going to find a forum for a Rattlesnake Cobra if you have questions about the car?

avanti-176 · #11 (**permalink**) 01-09-2004, 11:32 AM

do a search on streetbeasts here and you will find some interesting and spirited threads. I will second what GOAZTECS
said.

Dan

want2bcobra · #12 (**permalink**) 01-09-2004, 11:33 AM

From what I can tell the place that built it just buys the kit from someone like Shell Valley, builds it and sells it for a profit. I am trying to find the kit builder because then I would be able to just buy parts and get help from them as you stated. At this point it seems to be a Street Beast, but I am trying to verify this from the seller.

Thanks and those are good points.

want2bcobra · #13 (**permalink**) 01-09-2004, 11:35 AM

WOW, avanti-176 thanks for tipping me off on doing a search for Street Beasts. Seems like they are not to highly regarded here by any means. I will keep this in mind.

avanti-176 · #14 (**permalink**) 01-09-2004, 11:49 AM

You might also try looking around here:

http://www.cobracountry.com

lots of useful info plus plenty of nice cars for sale.

Dan

mrmustang · #15 (**permalink**) 01-09-2004, 11:52 AM

The joke used to be "Bill's Mustang of the month", with Cobras, it does take me a bit longer to buy something and get bored (when there is nothing left to tinker with, it's gone in my book, I like to tinker) with it

. Thinking about a FFR Spec Racer next.....But with me, you never know what I'll show up with at the next Tri-State event

....

Bill S.

Quote:

Originally posted by avanti-176

I would heed MrMustangs advice (as he seems to buy and sell Cobras at a much greater pace than your average individual ) I guess after all that rambling all I am saying is be very careful before you throw down the cash.

Good luck,
Dan

want2bcobra · #16 (**permalink**) 01-09-2004, 12:59 PM

Found out some new info:
He is the 2nd owner. From what he tells me it was used for a UPS commercial or something and then he bought it and added springs to lift the body 2" because he liked that look better. I am getting a photo of the VIN plate to see what it says. I called Street beasts and they said they put a VIN plate on every car they ship that says Innovative Street Machines.

avanti-176 · #17 (**permalink**) 01-09-2004, 01:25 PM

I don't know but.......
If it is the commercial I'm thinking of it has the right colors but that car looked more like a superformance, and I am fairly certain the car in that commercial had an oil cooler and associated plumbing visable. I could be wrong,maybe someone else here remembers the commercial I think it was for the us postal service though.

I'm not sure I trust this guy anyways if he likes that stance over the normal one

no offense but this thing is starting to sound fishy to me. Of course it could be that he was fed a load of s**t by the original owner and just doesn't know any better.

Dan