Mixed emotions with the #21

Clois Harlan · #1 (**permalink**) 02-06-2008, 06:40 AM

I am getting ready to send my little girl off to finishing school, so to speak. After 8 years of being thrashed on various race tracks (including a few off track excursions), highway and city driving she is going off to get a new makeover. But, this time it is different!

When I built my B&B Cobra in 2000 I put on every nut and bolt. I aligned or mis-aligned in some cases every door, hood and trunk. I sanded every surface and re-sanded and then I sealed her all up with a R&M catalysed primer. More primer surfacer, more sanding and finally a sealer before the top coat. Then I layed her lines out to my specifications and layed down some beautiful Viper blue R&M basecoat clearcoat accented with some GM Bright White lines. Removed all the tape to reveal the stripes and then put on 4 coats of increasing thickness of clearcoat (tack coat, thin coat and 2 medium coats). After allowing the paint to set up for a couple of hours I removed all the masking tape and moved her out into the sun for a natural drying for about 8 or 10 hours. I brought her back in for the night and then back out in the sun on day 2. Back in the garage for days three thru five and then I performed a light block sanding with 2500 grit wet or dry sand paper and dawn dishwashing soap and warm water. Then a light buffing using 3M products. The result has been 8 years of flawless service. No cracking, no pealing, no fading (noticable), no flaws what so ever that were not created by road debris or hot pieces of rubber slapping her nose at a race track.

So, here is the difference. My little Cobra has never been away from home in 8 years except when she was taken to the playground (race track) and we brought her carrier (enclosed trailer). This time she is going to have to get used to sleeping in some unknown place and then she will have someone with unfamiliar hands rubbing all over her. This could be a very traumatic time in her life. I might just go ahead and schedule some counseling for when she returns.

The #21 Cobra should be finished by April 1st and in the meantime I will freshen up her heart and soul (427 that we may have made a few upgrades). In a previous exam we determined her rearend was fine but she might need some new bearings, seals and gaskets and a new pair of shoes for the street...probably some Goodyear Billboards even though they don't last very long. By Shelby Fest in June she will be ready to go and probably have a nice bounce in her step since she will be all dressed up for the first time in 8 years. These kids sure are fun!

Clois

RICK LAKE · #2 (**permalink**) 02-06-2008, 07:07 AM

Clois You didn't sell her.

She is just going for some better TLC.

The way you wrote this I thought the car was sold.

I was going to call the airline or send flowers.

Find your old blue baby towel, hug the wife, kiss the dog

nevermind.

She will be back in a couple of weeks.

If this doesn't help, call Lew P and have him come and visit until the shock and trama is over. Lew can make you a couple of for-get-me drinks that should keep you in a fog until MAY.

Look at the other side of the pillow, now you have more time to spend with the other women( wife )

Rick L. Ps kitchen almost done, I think the Kitcar editor hates me

Not sure what the little story under the picture means?

I guess will have to wait until next mag comes out. Talked to James Y. will both laughted about going from the front cover to the dugout on the last page. At least he was still higher than me on the page. My feeling are HURT>

Rick

Clois Harlan · #3 (**permalink**) 02-06-2008, 08:07 AM

Quit your complaining ...my car wasn't even in the article and I helped put it together with Dean. We are making progress with the 2008 Run and Gun. George Anderson is planning on coming this year and Bringing his Cobra and possibly his Shelby dealer display for our Manufacturers Row. We also have a few surprise participants from previous Run and Guns. We will be opening Registration in June for discounted entry fees.

This is going to be GREAT!!!

Clois

Ron61 · #4 (**permalink**) 02-06-2008, 08:39 AM

Clois,

When I saw this I was about ready to send you flowers as I too thought you had sold her. I really wanted to go hide for a few days after I saw mine leave for good last year. At least you have something to look forward to as she will be coming home. Now is the time for you to build that nice carpeted and heated stall lin the garage for her.

Ron

Michael P. Wole · #5 (**permalink**) 02-06-2008, 09:34 AM

Clois: I am pleased that you are pleased with your B&B..I have an LAE that was built in 1995. Brian and his crew has been fantastic in helping me in upgrades and general questions as I make the changes that my wife just cant understand the need for(in her words"I thought you bought your dream car, why are you spending so much money on it?").
My 13 yo has no stress cracks. The paint finish is not quite what I want, but that will be next years project. I have the old 351W(mild cam) out and putting in a little more motor, still a 351W. Got new motor on engine stand rite now and just putting finishing touches on it.
What is Shelby fest and where?
I am doing the Hot Rod Power Tour(again) and the London Show this year(again).

Yes these babies are worth the effort to watch them grow up and become somebody!!!

Clois Harlan · #6 (**permalink**) 02-06-2008, 09:50 AM

Until this year it was called the Mid-America Shelby Meet and it is held here in Tulsa June 12-15, 2008 (Fathers day weekend). Usually have about 2000 cars and over 30,000 spectators, Here is a link:

Mid America, Ford, Team Shelby, Mustang, BOSS, Shelby, Fairlane, Galaxy, Falcon, Car Show, Drag Race, Road Race, SAAC, Hallett

If you decide to come look me and a lot of the others that post here up at the Texas Corner (SW Corner of Marriott Parking Lot 71st & Lewis).

Clois Harlan · #7 (**permalink**) 02-06-2008, 10:00 AM

My link only said MidAmericaFordMeet"

Juggernaut · #8 (**permalink**) 02-06-2008, 11:05 AM

Wow, Clois, sounds like she's going through a life changing experience! Can't wait to see her.

So in April she'll be ready for a TACC cruise?

I'm not saying if mine'll be done or not.

See ya,
Randy

jdean · #9 (**permalink**) 02-06-2008, 01:44 PM

Clois,

What is the plan.....is the car going out for new paint while you build a new engine? If so are you changing colors?

My hat's off to you and #21, 8 years is a long time to last especially when a lot of it was on the track!!

Naumoff · #10 (**permalink**) 02-06-2008, 02:00 PM

Clois,

The car looked good at the RNG. Are you changing color?

turnpike boy · #11 (**permalink**) 02-06-2008, 03:02 PM

#21 is a SHE??

Are you sh*tting us? Short of those go-karts advertised on this site, there ain't no SHE-Cobras to be found ANYwhere. That means NOwhere.

These is hairy-shouldered, testosterone-driven, big-testicled, bulging quadricept MAN cars, dammit. The only SHE that could kill you quite as spectacularly as a Cobra is Aileen Wornos, and she bit the bullet some time ago.

So, JEEZ, c'mon......

Clois Harlan · #12 (**permalink**) 02-06-2008, 05:42 PM

Tony,

Color remains the same. Deans painter needed a trailer and my Cobra needed a paint job and I want a 24' trailer. Traded for $$$$ cash and the paint job. New trailer will cost me about $2000 difference.

Well I am setting here with Dean Lampe we both agree were not going to pull into the pits and say something like: "How do you like my little BOY over there". My thoughts are that we would probably be all by ourself the rest of the event.

Plus if some guy can make a song about how sexy his tractor is I feel pretty comfortable referring to my Cobra as a lady.

Clois

jayscobras · #13 (**permalink**) 02-06-2008, 06:04 PM

one of my painters told me...paint chit you get shiney chit

I will be that 21 is at least one mile an hour faster at R&G 2008

less wind drag. Put a lot of vasoline all over the front! won't help but will go into the trailer a lot easier. CONGRATS BROTHER!

Jay

Madmiles442 · #14 (**permalink**) 02-06-2008, 07:05 PM

Hey Clois,
I'm so glad you aren't selling her. With a leadup like that , usually the next paragraph describes how some high-tech, money-stupid guy offered you a suitcase full of cash for your baby.
New paint, huh? I must admit, a little bit of a question mark over my head - you're not an originality buff nor a waxer, more of a bloody-knuckled wrencher upon which every knick in the paint was hard earned by a quick lap around the track. Believe me, I say that with the utmost respect as I'd not want to have anyone else in the pits. Just seems a little fru-fru for ole #21.
As for your car being a girl, mine is too. I think most boats, cars and planes are thought to be females. Not sure where that originated, maybe from the pin-up girls WWII crews put on their bombers.
Mine's name is Annie. Got her from a guy near Columbus, OH and turns out Annie Oakley is from near there. And she sure is a pistol!
Can't wait to see the "new" #21.

turnpike boy · #15 (**permalink**) 02-06-2008, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clois Harlan

Well I am setting here with Dean Lampe we both agree were not going to pull into the pits and say something like: "How do you like my little BOY over there". My thoughts are that we would probably be all by ourself the rest of the event.

Clois

Mmm......point taken. Still, calling it your little GIRL just somehow seems...ah....well, out of character. Just one opinion.

And we all know what they say about opinions.

ROUSHAC · #16 (**permalink**) 02-06-2008, 11:40 PM

Scared me with the title for a minute there, Clois.

Can't wait to see "her in her new clothes" next October.

Naumoff · #17 (**permalink**) 02-07-2008, 04:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turnpike boy

Mmm......point taken. Still, calling it your little GIRL just somehow seems...ah....well, out of character. Just one opinion.

And we all know what they say about opinions.

Well he could say "How do you like my little SLUT over there" because he rides her hard and puts her away hot and wet!

I couldn't resist!

Clois Harlan · #18 (**permalink**) 02-07-2008, 05:20 AM

Some guys buy their cars on a whim, but mine was a life long dream. The value in the #21 rest solely with me. I will clean er up with a new dress, new shoes, and I will have her back on the track in April. If by some chance I get a little to ambitious and go off track, well that's ok too (as long as I don't hit some wall or something). Not that I am made of money which everyone will tell you I am not but because of everything my Cobra means to me. Cobra's are a life style and I like the foul smelling exhaust and noise.
For me owning the Cobra is the fun it brings and the friends I have made...I would never have met some of the best friends I had ever hoped to have without my Cobra. The Guys and Girls (Ladies if you will) I have met here on Club Cobra and at track events are priceless. I would mention everyone of you but for the fear of leaving someone out. You all are the greatest.

By the way in a moment of disappointment (ran out of gas, broke this or that) the #21 I refer to as my girl immediately becomes a B_itch. But, she is soon forgiven! Besides at Run and Gun last years just about everyone else's cars were so beautiful I felt mine needed a little updating so the others would let me park next to them.

Clois

Madmiles442 · #19 (**permalink**) 02-07-2008, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clois Harlan

Some guys buy their cars on a whim, but mine was a life long dream. The value in the #21 rest solely with me. I will clean er up with a new dress, new shoes, and I will have her back on the track in April. If by some chance I get a little to ambitious and go off track, well that's ok too (as long as I don't hit some wall or something). Not that I am made of money which everyone will tell you I am not but because of everything my Cobra means to me. Cobra's are a life style and I like the foul smelling exhaust and noise.
For me owning the Cobra is the fun it brings and the friends I have made...I would never have met some of the best friends I had ever hoped to have without my Cobra. The Guys and Girls (Ladies if you will) I have met here on Club Cobra and at track events are priceless. I would mention everyone of you but for the fear of leaving someone out. You all are the greatest.
Clois

AMEN BROTHER!!

Bill Bess · #20 (**permalink**) 02-07-2008, 06:56 AM

Clois, I for one appreciate your feelings for #21 "your life long dream"..after all you have the number one sexiest machine developed in the 20th Century. I know the thing is Nasty, Rough, Scary, Fast and Uncomfortable....but so much fun. You gotta just treat (her) like your best little friend you ever had, and nothings too good for her.

My Hurricane is my best friend too..I hope I still have her in 8 years and I can still drive her fast and hard.

Best to you, Bill