Average Age?

A question from my wife. Is building and owning Cobras an adult thing or just a mid-life crisis kind of thing?

I'm 40, how about the rest of you?

[This message has been edited by Scott S (edited 02-11-99).]

I'm 32 and have been planning my cobra build since my late 20's.
I think that the reason many of the cobra owners are over 40 is the cost of building/buying a cobra. Until Factory Five came along it usually took at least 25K to complete a cobra. Between working up the corp ladder and raising kids it's awful hard to come up with that kind of disposable income, as well as the total impracticality of a 2 seat open roadster.

jeff

Scott, I'm 56 and have been working on my Cobra since 1991. Jeff do you think that FFR is less expensive to build than say a Shell Valley, Classic Roadster or any number of cars using live axle rearends and a small block. I know when I searched in 1991, there were a number of companies that were selling reasonably priced cars, they just did not have IRS suspensions,etc. WT

[gpatterson84]

Originally Posted by wtcobra

Scott, I'm 56 and have been working on my Cobra since 1991. Jeff do you think that FFR is less expensive to build than say a Shell Valley, Classic Roadster or any number of cars using live axle rearends and a small block. I know when I searched in 1991, there were a number of companies that were selling reasonably priced cars, they just did not have IRS suspensions,etc. WT

I'm just starting to review all of the companies with Cobra kits for sale. Any word, positive or negative, about Street Beasts, FL? I was concerned about stability and road comfort (suspension) when I saw your post. Is IRS the way to go? Any other things to watch out for? It appears there are plenty of ads on this site for engines, trans, etc. Can you recommend a good place to start (I am reading as many of these threads as I can)?

GP

[wtm442]

There are many unhappy owners of Street Beast Cobras. Do a search here on CC and read.

Here is list of manufacturers.
List of Manufacturers

.

[This message has been edited by Neal Jackson (edited 12-31-2000).]

My dad and I always wanted one, but when it comes to cars, making a decision is not something he's good at. He's got a 66 1/2 Mustang convertible he's been telling me he'd restore since 1977. It was the first sport utility vehicle in the world, as he regularily hauled kids & baseball gear to games when I was younger, and today it still gets him back and forth to work, and the garbage to the dump.....Yeeesh!

Anyway, I'm 28 and fulfilled our dream by purchasing a descent car for a great price in October of 98. What a blast!!!!

Brent Mills
Club Cobra

Gee Wiz...

I think I need to go find some older company! You young guys are doing what I forgot to do at that age. Good for you! I am 54, going on 30, kids are grown, and I recently came to grips with the concept of mortality. Brent knows this, but in '95, I had open heart surgery, and thru a long series of errors, a drug reaction cost me my left leg, and a lot of other damages.
For many years, I have done volunteer work for various organizations, some I have refered to in posts. In the last ten years, I have been involved a little with Jaguars. Cobras? Well, being an original Shelby fan in real time in the '60's, I have always wamted a Cobra. The ultimate expression of individualism and the driving experience. Interestingly, I had only seen one Cobra in my life, was generally unaware of the kit business, and had forgotten about ever owing a Cobra. After I got out of the hospital, I saw my second Cobra, when a friend who brokers Porches brought me one to see that was "left over" from a multi car deal he had done. He had no use for it, so he told me to take it, and I could name the terms later. That's how it happened! Sometimes it is just meant to be. Since then... well you know the general gist of my posts, and what the car has meant to me, and the others that share it.

My thanks to Brent for a web home, and to Carroll for the memories.

Regards, Art.

Scott,

I'll be 40 in May. Yes and no about the mid life thing. I have always been into cars and if I was not, I'd be living in a huge mansion based on the money I would have saved from avoiding cars, but that's not the case.

I was previously a Chevy man owning three Camaros. I then researched Corvettes and realized that too many were fakes and I was not going to get burned on a '67 TriPower Vette that was a fake. It was extremely difficult for me to change my allegiance to Ford, but I'm glad I did. I still love Chevys and all makes of cars.

It was back in 1995 I decided to get a Cobra. I was going through a divorce, I had to sell my 69 Indy Pace Car Camaro to consolidate my debt. I then said, when the smoke clears, I'm getting a Cobra. I bought a pre built Unique in 1997, rebuilt it in 1998 and I'm selling it in 1999 to build my new Cobra, a 289 FIA.

I agree with the general consensus, it's a love for the car and the need to wait to get the bucks. I am fairly good at creative financing and put together the deal on my first Cobra in about 3 weeks. I must be good, because I am now financing TWO Cobras.

So, Scott, mostly its an adult thing because most folks need to free up the time and money which doesn't happen for many before age 35 to 40.

John

.

[This message has been edited by Neal Jackson (edited 12-31-2000).]

I'm 52 years young. Seems like the age is all over the place. That is what I really liked about bracket racing. 60 year old rich guys, 18 year old kids, B-52 pilots, transmission repairmen, all coming together with a common interest!

I agree - it's both. Most of us "Dad" types that were (are) car guys usually have to put our dreams and desires on the back burner for a few years while were growing the family. I'll be 40 in August. We started our family in our early 20's and are starting to free up some time and $$ now. Our GT Convertible will turn into a Cobra once the back seat is not needed as much. FFR and Burtis' new F8 cars head my list - hope to be a Cobra owner soon. In the meantime, I'll just sit back and keep listening and taking notes - thanks !!

Dave - Wakefield, MA

I'm 39 years old & have wanted a Cobra for over 10 years (saving my pennies for a while).I'm awaiting delivery on Sunday for my new Superformance Cobra. The anticipation is killing me. It'll be in the garage for a while waiting for me to finish with motor & transmission. I guess I'll just have to get a fan to simulate the wind in my face effect until I get it going, but that's half the fun.

I'AM 43 AND FELL IN LOVE WITH COBRA'S WHEN I WAS A TEENAGER AND THERE WERE TWO IN THE SMALL TOWN OF 5000 PEOPLE WHERE I LIVE. I ALWAYS WANTED ONE AND AM WORKING ON THE BOSS TO LET ME GET A KIT. I WISH I HAD DONE IT SOONER BUT REALLY CAN ONLY AFFORD IT NOW. NOT TO MANY YOUNGER PEOPLE HAVE THE MEANS ARE THE EXPEIRENCE TO BUILD A KIT, MAYBE THAT IS WHY MOST ARE OLDER. GREAT SITE YOU HAVE HERE.
D G

Scott, First of all great thread! a lot of really good stories! I am 37, I started researching cobras about two years ago and one of the first books that I got was Curt Scotts book on cobra manufacturers, don't worry I know your not Curt Scott, since I already had a 1987 mustang 5.0 and couldn't afford to spend 30k plus it limited my options. I went with the factory five because it seemed to offer the most bang for the buck. I ordered the kit and then my wife and I found out that she was pregnant. For most that would be the end of the story, but I guess I married well, my wife said come hell or high water you are getting the car! How great is that! So now everyone asks me which will come first the cobra or the baby, well as of right now it's to close to call, my wife is due the end of March and the cobra is about 70% complete. I wish everyone sunny days and straight, or curvy roads, whichever your in the mood for! Steve D.

[Lawler]

I am 41 and have been planning my build since 1988. Damn I feel old. Nevertheless, I recently completed my LS 427 and will have it out of th epaint shop next week. Can't wait.

Link to a video of my car just before paint:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...arch&plindex=0

Kinton

[My Dream]

Most of you are soooo young. I first wanted a Cobra when I was about 15. I lived in England and saw them race against the likes of Lotus Cortinas and the other little UK cars. The little cars would buzz all around the Cobras and then there would be this thunderous noise and the ground would shake and the Cobras would disappear into the distance. That sound has stuck with me ever since and now I have it in my garage. I am 57, going on 18!!

[Roger Vincent]

Originally Posted by Lawler

I am 41 and have been planning my build since 1988. Damn I feel old. Nevertheless, I recently completed my LS 427 and will have it out of th epaint shop next week. Can't wait.

Kinton

Hi Kinton,

I enjoyed your video, and I predict you are going to enjoy your Cobra thoroughly! Please don't say you feel old, you will depress about half of us on this forum! I am 57 and turn 58 next week!

Roger
SPF 2080
FGT 1490

[GlynMeek]

Kinton...I agree with Roger...don't say a thing about YOUR age, or (at 57 here!!) we oldies will all turn on you and gum you to death! LOL...btw, GREAT build, looking forward to seeing the paint job, AND the car when you're up here in Austin!

Glyn

The stories have been great! I started with my little brother planning a Cobra project about 5 years ago, with the Classics bunch out of Florida. We planned to build one together until he killed himself about a yea r and a half ago in a 94 Mustang Cobra. The FFR kits came along and I just could'nt part a mustang out in my driveway(the tow company stored my brothers car about 2 blocks from my house for 2 weeks).

I wish things were different but life goes on. My boys and I drove about 30 miles today in the car with no paint and ugly, God was it Sweet. Oregon allowed me a specialty plate with that name, SWEET.

Thanks to all, give your honey's a hug , don't forget the flowers.