House of Cobras in Orange, California?
 

Had lunch with somebody yesterday who talked about a dealer in SoCal named House of Cobras. Quick search of the internet seems to indicate that at some point they existed, but finding nothing that is current.

Does anyone know if they are still around?

Thanks,

Bob

Bob,

I am not sure how everything turned out, but here is a link to some archives on here that may help you find out more. I never read all of the posts but I do know there were some questions about some things concerning them.

http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/arch...p?t-12812.html

Ron

I think House of Cobras got caught up in the whole Titles Unlimited mess. Weren't they an early SPF dealer?

Bob,

House of Cobras did exist, but from everything I have read they have closed down several years ago. I'm not sure of the exact reasons why they went out of business.
I did some research on them when I purchased my (second owner) SPF as the 418 was built by HOA. Most of my information was gathered after I purchased the car.

My general understanding is that early on they build fantastic engines, but in there final years they may have had questionable practices putting used parts in New engines. I can't speak for all the rumors, but I do know of one other person with a HOC 418 who rebuilt his engine with few miles on it to find many used parts and discrepancies.

I recently (Dec 08) pulled my engine out and tore it down to find the same thing. My 418 had 4000 miles on it and it would burn over a qrt of oil with each gas fill up.

This may have been way to much information, but let me know if you want more.

Dan

Thank You...
 

As always, appreciate all of your responses.

Bob

Bob,

If you can find a copy of the video 'Bitten by the Snake' you will see one of the company owners who speaks at length on Cobras. I just cannot think of his name. He was the principal of House of Cobras.

A curly hair guy.

Bernie

Thanks Bernie...
 

Will see if I can find a copy...

Bob

Dave Radtke.

House of Cobras built my first spf #995. The business does not exist any longer.

Bill Meyer outside house of cobras in 03. Doug was right, They were involved in the Titles Unlimited mess.


http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...test_drive.jpg

bdeustch

Bob,

I will take a copy of my original for you if you cannot find one. PM let me know. I think the video format is the same.

Ooops here goes copyright...:LOL:

Bernie

Bob

You have a PM regarding the Bitten by the Snake. It is available at Finishline - on site here.

In the for what it's worth category...It has been a good while since I have seen the BBTS video but as I recall, the curly haired guy from House of Cobras was from Miami. Also, it was my impression that the HOC was something of a used Cobra business and not a specific brand dealership.

Yes they were deep in the "Titles Unlimited" legal fiasco and had thier files raided. There were issues with some cars having incorrect VIN's on them.

Yes they were deep in the "Titles Unlimited" legal fiasco and had thier files raided. There were issues with some cars having incorrect VIN's on them.

Bought SPF 243 from HOC. I was one of their first SPF customers. The "crate 351" they sold me turned out to be a used boat motor. The threat of legal action quickly remedied the problem & a new "Stage Whatever" 351 was swapped in. It was an unpleasant experience - but strangely, I liked Radke. B.J. not so much. Since they dealt in a lot of used stuff, it was a good place to be able to see & drive the difference between the various manufacturers. They just got in over their heads financially & got into a huge mess taking downpayments on a raft of Johnex cars they couldn't deliver. Dean Woodruff took over the facility and started installing his 418 strokers - the motor I still run. Dean had the best intentions & tried to untie the Johnex knot - but when Hillbank among others got caught up in the titling fiasco (more a result of sales tax avoidance than titling according to what I heard at the time) the whole industry - including hot-rodders like Boyd Coddington had the DMV come down with both feet.
Dean & his partner simply couldn't keep up with the debt load, lawsuits left over from Radke and the tainted paper & VIN numbers on their stock. They went under at least 6 years ago. It was a good group of people for awhile - Stephen Johnstone running his Cobra University - and having the HOC trailer & crew on hand at COCOA events at Willow Springs was a hoot. I threw a rod at one of these events - and Dean ... true to his pledge to fix any of his motors as long as you owned it, rebuilt it free of charge. I personally liked Dean very much and miss the connection.
Other folks might have a different take - but this was my experience.

I visited HOC when I was beginning my quest to understand Cobras, replicas, etc. (CC wasn't around at that time) I flew down and spent most of the afternoon with Dave then went to a bar close by and had some wings and beer. He was a great source of knowledge and that day was very pleasant and informative.

I ended up buying a Johnex directly since I live in Canada. I got quite a bit of second hand information fron Johnex about their dealings with HOC which more or less confirms what Durt said. However, Johnex claimed at that time that HOC was living off of deposits on Johnex cars that were not even ordered. Something sure wasn't Kosher. Johnex ended up going under, supposedly due to the HOC deal.

HOC had the greatest T shirts with their name and the picture of a Cobra on the front, while on the back in big letters they had "Vibrating, Throbbing, Testosterone filled". :LOL::eek::LOL::eek:

Wayne

Visited HOC in May 1999 looked like this in front of the work shop and inside........

Westcott:cool:

House of CObras went through several names.

First it was "Dayan house of cobras" owned by used car salesmen Dave Radke and BJ.

BJ was forced out, Dave renamed it "House of Cobras", same general staff and location.

Dave got too deep, sold it to Dean (good guy) who named it "Woodruff's House of Cobras"

When it became more work than fun, Dean closed up shop.