House of Cobras <--- Very Honest

[HowardV]

I just dealt with Dave at House of Cobras in purchasing one of their consigned vehicles. As I was very anxious, I pulled a real stupid move which would have allowed them to rip me off, but they didn't. They proved themselves to be very honest people and an absolute pleasure to deal with.

In my anxiety to purchase one of their consigned Cobras, I went down there and paid them in full. I made the check out to House of Cobras and they gave me a bill of sale. They didn't have the title yet, and had requested it from the owner. In order to take the Cobra home, I agreed to pick up the title later (and I already knew they were closing down). This was a STUPID move on my part, since they could just keep my money, close shop, declare bankruptcy, and not give the money to the owner. Then the owner, since he still has the title, could come and take my car back. To boot, the owner kept stalling on sending the title.

Needless to say, I was a wreck thinking I've been screwed since the title was being delayed. I didn't know what to do if HOC closed their doors immediately. They could have easily pocketed the money and ran.

But they didn't. Dave got the title from the owner and I just picked it up yesterday. What a sigh of relief!!!

So in summary, these are very good and honest people. I wish they weren't closing down since I wanted them to performa all service and repairs in the future. They will definately be missed.

A big thanks to Dave and House of Cobras.

Howard

[RedBarchetta]

Howard, good luck with #995!

So, was it already SB100 compliant or are you going to camp out come January?

-Deano

[HowardV]

No, it's got Nevada plates :-( It was too good of a deal since HOC was closing down. I just couldn't pass it up for the price.

So I'll be standing in line come January 2, 2005 for one of those very special SB-100 numbers.

Howard

[RedBarchetta]

Go to DMV and try to get a temporary registration. Maybe they will let you go to the CHP and let them put on their VIN tag. You won't be able to go to B.A.R. until you get your '05 sequence number. Just make sure you have a "clean" Nevada title to go with the plates. The CHP will also make sure your car is not hot....they do a frame check all over it.

Regarding the factory SPF plate on the firewall, CHP will remove this, too. If I were you, I'd drill out the rivets myself and remove it in advance. CHP will also remove the VIN tag from the front crossmember and that's where they will affix their own. If they do a clean job, they will leave one hole in the crossmember (from the original VIN tag) and you can fill it with black RTV and no one will notice it. After you go through the whole registration mess, then rivet the firewall tag back in place (that's what I did "temporarily"). I'm now thinking of actually getting a blank "Shelby" plate from Finish Line and having my new CA VIN engraved onto it. That way the CHP (or any other officials) would never be able to hassle me about different VINs on the car. For now, the factory SPF plate just covers up the four holes in the polished firewall.

Good luck, Howard, and keep us posted! And speaking of "post", put some pics of your car on here!

-Deano

[Randy Rosenberg]

I don't understand why a new VIN must be assigned. Can't Howard use his existing "good" VIN as already documented on his Nevada title?

[RedBarchetta]

Randy, I think to the DMV it's more of a matter of control nowadays. My car had a 17 digit VIN as issued by the Superformance dealer that originally registered the car. Along the way, the last owner (in Texas) was able to officially register the car with a period correct "11" digit (early) VIN code by using the last 11 digits in the 17 digit string. The car was also registered as a '65 Ford convertible. Well, CA DMV noted a "VIN verification" and sent my azzz to the CHP. That's when I had to go the full SB100 route (hindsight...so glad I did!) and they removed the old tags and assigned their own. The CA VIN is a unique 8 digit code - "CA" followed by 6 numbers.

Boy, sorry for taking this thread so far off topic. HOC seemed like a nice group of guys. I figured if anything serious happened to my car they were local and would be the obvious guys to go to. Not anymore!

[flipper35]

Mine had a VIN assigned by Iowa and the state of CA left it on. They verified the VIN and sent me a new title. But in '98 they didn't have SB100. Once I was told the proper way to register, it went slick and easy. Is registered by the state as a 71* by the way. The * means it is registered by the year of the block. Can they still do this nowdays?

[Robert T. Faust]

Just my two cents on HOC as I believe they are getting a bad rap. I've spoken with the people at HOC a few times in the past, and sent a few people there. In all interfacing, there was nothing but positive responces. They provided me with assistance when asked, and the people I referred to them were very happy with the information they received and especially liked the no pressure sales attitude of the people there. They were treated more as friends than just possible buyers. They were never pushed. And, most importantly, the people who worked there liked what they did and where proud of their cars. I know in the end they will come out as "stand up guys". I wish them the best of luck and hope all comes out well. What's the old saying "there but for the grace of God go you and I"?

[Excaliber]

It's unfortunate the owner of HOC has been caught up the in the DMV dragnet. I wish him the best.

It looks like we are FAR from the end of this mess and HOC may be the tip of the ice berg, Calif the FIRST state. More to come? I think so..........