What was it like? The day you finally got your COBRA! - Page 2

RICK LAKE · #21 (**permalink**) 05-04-2009, 01:05 PM

JB in Alabama Saw one in 1977 and started saving. Went and picked up the basic car in Jan of 1995. Snow and rained the whole day. 370 miles round trip. 3 years of collection the best info on building the car. Completed in 1998 for Run & Gun. If you deciede to build a car, have that company do the blocking of the body and painting. This will save you alot of time unless you do this for a living. Over build the car where ever possible. This will pay major dividends in the long haul. Get alot of info from many different sources before to start the drive train build. Once you have your build sheet, stay with it. Don't get crazy about having 500HP in the car. This is like no other car you have driven before unless you own one. You may have power steering but doubt you have antilock brakes, traction control, or A/C. This is one car where you don't get to sleep behind the wheel. Cobras are fun, brutally fast, noisy, great handling, and very unforgiven if you don't respect it.

Rick L.

cal.cheesehead · #22 (**permalink**) 05-04-2009, 01:29 PM

JB, my UNIQUE Roller kit was delivered in Jan. ThoughIt's not finished yet it's been the most fun project I have ever been involved in. The day It was delivered I had to rush home early from work to meet the driver. Never did make it back. I can't immagine what it will be like to finally fire it up and drive it. My wife gets a kick out of the fact I'll just hang out in the garadge tinkering with something or just sittin having a Bud lokking at it.
Good luck

Got the Bug · #23 (**permalink**) 05-04-2009, 02:25 PM

I flew to Reno in June 2007 to do a shake down test of my completed car. It was blazing hot that day and I kept doing multiple circuits on the freeway and the foothills around Dynamic in Reno. I stopped to get something to drink and was mobbed by people wanting to know about the car...wasn't really ready for that the first time out.

My first real stint behind the wheel is when I drove it home from Sacramento to Santa Cruz (about 150 miles). Crystal clear that day going across the Sunol Bridge.

joe g · #24 (**permalink**) 05-04-2009, 04:39 PM

Mine was unregistered till the next day so i drove it around the neighborhood-- could not sleep all , was at dmv first in line the next day, registered by 8:45
joeg

mpanten · #25 (**permalink**) 05-05-2009, 09:23 AM

I was actually pretty scared of it. (still am in some ways). The very first drive I opened it up briefly only to see a COP in my rear view mirror. At the next stop sign I stalled it twice beacuse all I could think about was that I had not driven it 5 miles and was already going to get a ticket!!. No ticket, he just waved and I was on my way. It's been a lot of fun the last 3 years, other cars have come and gone but I have kept this one and dont plan on getting rid of it.

Snakebit · #26 (**permalink**) 05-05-2009, 10:03 AM

Received my roller from ERA 3 years ago on the Saturday before Fathers Day. My 3 boys came over and we oood and aaahd the whole day. I had to pinch my self a couple of times to remind my self it was real, and no longer a dream sitting in my garage waiting for me to add the finishing touches.

Archrms · #27 (**permalink**) 05-05-2009, 11:29 AM

The day the Cobra arrived and the trailer door dropped open, it was like being a kid at Christmas all over again. As soon as the transporter left, I fired her up and took it for a ride - no registration, no safety inspection, no insurance - totally worth it.

sparks · #28 (**permalink**) 05-05-2009, 12:23 PM

My pants got allot tighter and could'nt wipe the smile of my face for days.

Stinson Pilot · #29 (**permalink**) 05-05-2009, 09:39 PM

Got it on my birthday, as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.
Didn't even have the shop done yet:

Dangerous Doug · #30 (**permalink**) 05-05-2009, 10:18 PM

How'd I feel? Elated! Even though it was a bunch of boxes of suspension parts, gauges, wiring, and a body mounted onto a powder-coated frame, it was just a thrill to actually see some visible progress in achieving my dream.

3 years later, I just finished registering it and have shaken out most of the details. I have yet to paint it, but it looks "50/50" good (looks good going by at 50 mph from 50 feet). I can live with the gelcoat, for now. I've been driving it much more than I thought I would.

Paint is likely this summer or early fall. Then, install the carpet kit I'd purchased about a year ago, and I'm "Done." (Cobra veterans will tell you you're never done. I believe them.)

DD