N.A.F Cobra

[coinop101]

I have a 1985 N.A.F. cobra . Does anyone have the history and info on this
manufacture ?
Peter

[mrmustang]

What would you like to know?



Bill S.

[coinop101]

Bill
As a 1985 registrated / built , I can only assume the quality and engineering is not like todays cobra's .
As far as I can tell the 427 and the 9'' rear are orginial ( 2:25 rear )? The trans was replaced with a new 5 speed . When I did some work to the front end , I was told it came out of a 1975 Mustang ll . The fiberglass is strong and held up well for 24 years .
I guess I'm looking for some history on the manufactor and maybe how many of these N.A.F. cars are out there . How they may be setup and what problems other N.A.F. owner / members have had .
Thanks for replying
Peter

[Old Phart]

Hi Peter, I used to have a 1985 North American Fiberglass 427 Cobra replica, red with white stripes, which was their brochure and calendar car. It also had a NOS side oiler, top loader, and all the period correct parts. Sold it around 1990 and still have lots of paperwork and literature.
Please PM me for more info.

Bill

[coinop101]

Bill
Is the N.A.F. cobra worth upgrading and investing in ? I did the front end ( New bushings , ball joints and coilover shocks ) made a world of difference . With the new eagle ll goodyears and alignment , she rides and handles great . Now I have to look at and invest in upgrading the single piston disk brakes . Maybe do the carpet too .
I just wonder how much better the newer cobra's are ? I love the older 427 and still like to work on her .
How did you rate your N.A.F. and why did you get rid of her ?
Peter

[dblbarrel]

I have been driving a NAF for about 5 years. A 351w 5 speed.
Replaced steering rack, put disc brakes on the rear.
The paint, body and suspension are doing fine.
Some comfortable seats would be nice.
Those drives from NW WA to Reno are butt breakers.

[berzerko]

I'm in atlantic beach and have a year old hurricane if you want to compare construction
pm me and i can show you the car

bobby

[Karl Bebout]

I've had my NAF for what will be 13 years this August. As you mentioned, it has real thick fiber glass and it doesn't flap in the wind, like some real popular manufacturers'. I've seen other NAFs that were much nicer than mine which is due to the skill and thoroughness of the original builder. I bought mine from a guy that had been messing with it for seven years. I had some major fitment improvements done prior to a repaint six years ago and it looked real good until I took it for a spirited ride out through the desert last Feb. The man that originally owned the NAF company lives in the very small town of Superior, AZ and is in the process of building a new body for me. I'm to take my chassis to him Tuesday and he'll do a custom installation with a dropped foot box to give more foot and leg room. I'm sure I'll wind up with a nicer car than what I used to have.

[cab]

While at the knott's show 2008 this old guy and his friend were all over my car checking it out,said it looked like a N.A.F. I said I thought they where gone ,Old man said no there not thats me he said the hurricane looked like his old cars.

[mhas2009]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi, my name is Juan and I have a question for you.



I have a NAF Car cobra 427 with number chassis NAF42700200300J**. I would like to know to that year of manufacture concerns this number. Some instrument exists to know this information of year of manufacture?



I need help, someone might help.



Thank you very much.

[frdfver]

The year of manufactuer should be the 2 numbers after the J in the serial number where you have the 2 asterics.....

Paul T.

[Rick Parker]

I believe the letter prior to the last 2 numbers is the Month (?)

[frdfver]

Not sure on the letter, mine ends in F89, Ordered June 16, 89 and picked up July 21, 89....

Paul T.

[Rick Parker]

With F being the 6th letter of the alphabet, and June being the 6th month of the year that seems to make sense?? . Maybe the creation of the MSO at time of initial order or chassis build by NAF themselves.

NAF was quite popular in the 80's. Their body was hand laid glass that incorporated the interior, foot boxes, fender liners, trunk & floor, all attached to form 1unit. The glass is quite stout. There are a couple of warts but otherwise, overall the body construction is pretty solid. Chassis is fabricated primarily from 4X2box tubing. They for the most part used a live rear axle, with a front subframe, brakes and steering column sourced from a Mustang II. In my opinion NAF was a mid entry priced kit at the time they were being offered. But can be made buch nicer with some chassis changes and attention to detail in interior fitament. Not the best engineered in standard form but very solid, they generally used a lot of readily available doner parts to allow for ease of construction and to keep the costs down. The standard chassis exibits a fair amount of twist when pushed hard and benefits from additional bracing.

[mhas2009]

Hello again.

My name is juan and already we speak by post previously. I need that someone of your club solves an easy question.

I would like to know if two you finalize numbers of the number chassis of the NAF, they identify the year of manufacture?

Example: NAF42700300200J88. Year 1986.

Can someone help me? Thank you very much

[SoTxButler]

The year would be 1988 based on J88, according to the previous posts.

[Larry Spillman]

Hello I have a 1986 Naf Cobra 427 bodied its great in fit and finish but hand brake isnt working and rear Lincoln brakes are a problem on right side.Engine is a bored 351 C 60` over ,trans is toploader 4 speed car is solid and fast but really too loud I may have to go to side mufflers,Cal cops dont have a sense of humor. I have owned and built many cars in the last 55 years and feel this car was done right the first time.Good Luck with your project.Larry spillman

[my427cobra]

Hi all. I too have an NAF (#427008060J85 with the number 143 bead welded into the frame near the left/drivers side motor mount). Well buildt car.

I , like Larry have a 351c (aluminum heads, hyd roller cam and roller rockers, custom made 2 - 4 barrel intake, and custom made valve cover adapters to mount the 427 valve covers. But my car has a C6 automatic.

I also have the Lincoln Versailles Ford 9" rearend with the disc brakes.

Larry, what problems are you having witht he rear calipers. They do need some TLC. They are a sliding caliper design, which slide on pads at the top and bottom of the caliper. I took my calipers off and polished the heck out of the slides, lubed them with high temp lube, and they are great.

People often think these calipers are a fixed design, because the slides are most often corroded/siezed and when the calipers don't slide, they can flex and crack the rotors. Bad!

Once set up well, great rearend and brakes!

I also modified my car to a street version: no hoodscoop (glassed over), no roll bar, no sidepipes(custom made s.s. undercar exhaust), and gassed over the comp gas cap indentation and put on a street gas cap. I also replaced the dash with an alum street dash from Cobra Restorers.

The crowning addition though, Sunburst wheels!!!!!!!!!! Long story how I got those many years ago.

A few pics in my gallery.

Greg

[Larry Spillman]

Greg My right rear brake dosent work at all When I apply the hand brake it comes all the way up nomatter how much adjustment is done to it and it wont hold.Lincoln Vers rearend.
Thanks Larry S

[RODGARCIA]

Hi i need some help im trying to purchuase a cobra 1985 N.A.F KIT 1966 with a small block, it has the fenders with a big lip front and back compare to other n.a.f cobras.
anybody know why? where there 2 diferent bodies? PLEASE HELP i dont want to make a $20k mistake!!! THAKNS ROD

I UPLOADED SOME PICS IN MY PROFILE OF THE CAR.