A Few Cobra Owner Questions

Argess · #1 (**permalink**) 08-24-2009, 03:20 PM

OK...a few questions please.....

1/ Who has actually purchased a roof for their Cobra? I only drive in nice weather and I did get the tonneau cover in case it started to rain and I could cover it up and wait inside a store or restaurant for a bit until it stopped. I sort of want a top..just to have....but with no intention of using it, but at about a $1000 option, I let it go....for now.

2/ How worried are you about a break-down where the car has to be left unattended or towed by a tow-truck? I can just imagine the damage caused by either. I don't even have a spare tire as it takes up room and it would be a pin-drive affair which is ...er...well, what size would I use.... I think this question is really about the tow-truck damage....

3/ Is it that common for these cars to be affected by various wind conditions? At highway speeds, it can feel a bit squirelly with even low winds if they hit right. Is this normal?

4/ As I have pin-drive wheels, I drilled a small hole in one ear of each of my 3-eared wheel nuts with the intention of adding loc-wire. I never bothered with actually installing the loc-wire. Never had a problem yet, but.... So, is the norm to use loc-wire,, or not to use loc-wire?

kayakjack · #2 (**permalink**) 08-24-2009, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Argess

OK...a few questions please.....

1/ Who has actually purchased a roof for their Cobra? I only drive in nice weather and I did get the tonneau cover in case it started to rain and I could cover it up and wait inside a store or restaurant for a bit until it stopped. I sort of want a top..just to have....but with no intention of using it, but at about a $1000 option, I let it go....for now.

I have one for my Superformance. Nice to have. I put it on for a couple of winter months. The top along with the heater makes it a year round car.

4/ As I have pin-drive wheels, I drilled a small hole in one ear of each of my 3-eared wheel nuts with the intention of adding loc-wire. I never bothered with actually installing the loc-wire. Never had a problem yet, but.... So, is the norm to use loc-wire,, or not to use loc-wire?

My wheels came with the holes in the ears. I always have lock wire installed. I check all four wheels (visual) each time I get in the car. Have not had any issue with the wheels trying to loosen.

Jack..............

patrickt · #3 (**permalink**) 08-24-2009, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Argess

OK...a few questions please.....

1) A soft top; I use it maybe once a year on the last drive of the year before I put her away until spring.

2) I've been towed home. Flatbed only. I drove it up on the flatbed because the clutch linkage had broken (and had to kill the engine before driving in to the cab of the tow truck

). I carry a tow strap; ERA's are best pulled up on a truck from behind.

3) The wind does not noticeably affect my car.

4) It is the norm to safety wire spinners.

SAFETY WARNING -- If being towed home via flatbed and your car is facing the rear, make sure the driver goes slow. The wind can catch the inside of your windshield and cause problems.

Argess · #4 (**permalink**) 08-24-2009, 04:05 PM

Thanks for the responses so far.

Oh...on the wind thing....it's only a slight thing ( I dont' think the passenger even notices), and occurs in crosswinds when the highway is very exposed and the speed is 80 mph or more. Just wondering if it was normal due to aerodynamics, or should I check my alignment. I do think my toe-in decreases a bit at higher speeds and might make it a bit more re-active to wind.

Tommy · #5 (**permalink**) 08-24-2009, 04:36 PM

I had my Cobra towed home once on a flat bed (transmission linkage locked up). I expected the worst, but was lucky enough to get a very experienced and very concerned tow truck driver. He did a great job.

I strongly recommend you safety wire the knock-offs. It's not so much to keep them from coming loose as it is to quickly and easily tell if one is starting to get loose.

rustyBob · #6 (**permalink**) 08-24-2009, 08:08 PM

I have a hard top for mine and side curtains and a heater because in the midwest a storm can blow in quickly and i always check the weather before i go anywhere........

Archrms · #7 (**permalink**) 08-24-2009, 09:29 PM

1. My SPF came with a soft top, but I never use it. Good insurance tho.

2. Been towed a few times on a flat bed. Make sure they know about the extremely low ground clearance when you call them.

3. No problem with wind on highway.

4. Use the safety wire.

saki302 · #8 (**permalink**) 08-25-2009, 01:52 AM

I'd toss a water proof car cover in the trunk if you have one. I live in CA, so I pretty much never have to worry about rain.. you really see it coming from a long way here.

-Dave

Got the Bug · #9 (**permalink**) 08-25-2009, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Archrms

1. My SPF came with a soft top, but I never use it. Good insurance tho.

2. Been towed a few times on a flat bed. Make sure they know about the extremely low ground clearance when you call them.

3. No problem with wind on highway.

4. Use the safety wire.

Same with me. The top that came with my SPF is sitting in the garage. My guess is that I'd be soaked before I even had a chance to assemble it and put it on. I've been caught out in the rain twice, but didn't get too wet and the car was no worse for the wear.

My car had to be towed once so far. I told the AAA dispatcher that I was driving a Lamborghini that was extremely low. The AAA guy that showed up seemed a little confused at first, but he didn't ask. He definitely knew what he was doing.

Like others mentioned, it's probably a good idea to install the safety wire to monitor the knock-offs.