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[dls141]

I bought mine this year. I'm trying to determine when it was built. At first I was thinking 1999-2000 but as I work on it I'm realizing the components are quite a bit older than that. Either the builder used 1979-80 parts or the car is 30 years old!

Anyway I've already rebuilt the front end, struts, control arms, brakes, rotors, replaced the radiator, all the hoses, the carb and now I'm on to the rear end. I just dropped the axle and am replacing all the control arms, bushings, brakes... By the time I'm done it will basically be a new car - except for the engine and transmission.

The price was right and it is sporting an original -but rebuilt - 1968 427 SO and 4-speed cobrajet top loader trans. Engine now has alumnium Edelbrock heads but I have no idea what's under them.

Does anyone know how I can find out when it was built? The tag number is LA Exotics 80750. Thanks

Don

[ebiggs1]

Mine is going on 3 years old and is 80% complete.



It has about 2000 miles on it and is a blast to drive.

[RET_COP]

Bought mine from a local guy with 2500 very easy miles on it in 2009. The car was built in late 2002. Its silver with Black stripes, .040 351w, 8.8 straight axle, tremec 3550, higher hood scoop, gray interior, T style dash, matching hard top. I have since made changes to my engine, turned it into a roller with KC Brodix heads.
I have a question that brian could not answer and it is important to me. I asked him who built my engine. He said Southside or southern something to this effect. Does this sound right? can someone shed some light on this, and how is the reputation. He thought they may have gone out of business. He may have had a lapse in memory. Also what about John York. Can someone shed some light on this picture. I would really like to know, it's driving me crazy.
A hint may be that the engine had World Roush 200s and made about 425 HP with a Comp Cam XE284 cam in it KB flat top pistons, Ford crank and rods.
Lou

[lnfletcher]

Originally Posted by RET_COP

Bought mine from a local guy with 2500 very easy miles on it in 2009. The car was built in late 2002. Its silver with Black stripes, .040 351w, 8.8 straight axle, tremec 3550, higher hood scoop, gray interior, T style dash, matching hard top. I have since made changes to my engine, turned it into a roller with KC Brodix heads.
I have a question that brian could not answer and it is important to me. I asked him who built my engine. He said Southside or southern something to this effect. Does this sound right? can someone shed some light on this, and how is the reputation. He thought they may have gone out of business. He may have had a lapse in memory. Also what about John York. Can someone shed some light on this picture. I would really like to know, it's driving me crazy.
A hint may be that the engine had World Roush 200s and made about 425 HP with a Comp Cam XE284 cam in it KB flat top pistons, Ford crank and rods.
Lou

Lou this may be who you are looking for.
Southern Automotive Engines homepage
They advertise big on Cobra Country.

[RET_COP]

That just might be it!!
Thanks Larry

[cadguy]

Hey guys! I just got my B&B cobra from Bryan this past weekend. What an awesome guy. I love this car and how well laid out it is. I am just starting my build with just a body kit and frame. I am very impressed with the construction of the frame. So far Bryan has responded same day with my questions. Super people to deal with. I will be posting pics soon as I begin the build process. This is a project for me and my boy. Hope he learns something. Lol!! I can't wait to drive it but I am planning to enjoy the journey of the build.

[Bryan Anderson]

Thanks for the Post William, it was very nice meeting you and your Family Saturday, Please let me or Ron Know if there is anything you need for the car.

[lnfletcher]

Great to have another fellow B&B owner out there!
Congratulations and It's a fun journey!

[RET_COP]

Cadguy, Congratulations and welcome to the club. A solid cobra, have fun.
Lou

[la cobra]

Good car you and your boy will have alot of fun when it hits the road,congratulations.

[RET_COP]

Cadguy let's see some pictures.

[dfitzgeralds]

Purchased a older unfinished B&B and completely redid because I am a little pickier the the previous owner. As a fabricator and welder building many cars, I was impressed with the heavy built frame and thick fiberglass. It is not a piece of aluminum between you and road or motor. B&B has been great to work with and will have the Cobra finished this winter. I am running a 450HP 302 with a 5 speed and can't wait to drive it. Hand making and rebuilding a lot of rusted out classic's, my first "kit" has be very fun and quicker to build, and still is a great investment.

[Rodney D]

I am the proud owner of a B&B Replica that I purchased in August. It's Red with white stripes and was professionally built. It is equipped with a 302 EFI engine with a high performance cam, a 5 speed Tremec manual transmission, and a ford rear end with 3:08 gears. Power rack and pinion steering and 17" tires for nice handling. The dash has Stewart Warner gauges a speedometer, tachometer, oil pressure, oil temp, water temp, and fuel. My seats are leather with competition 3” seat belts. Its Titled in NJ as a 1965 Shelby Cobra.
BTW B&B is great to work with, had some questions and needed a trunk catch which they responded quickly!

[COLOR="Red"]This car is a blast to drive, and I'm really looking forward to next spring! I'm still working on getting more comfortable seats with lumbar support. [/color]Any ideas, recommendations? Please reply.

[Bob Crabbs]

Had my B&B about 4 years. Purchased the Carlisle show car (turnkey minus) from several years back. Completed with 393 stroker engine, GT40 heads, big cam, 400+HP, Tremec 3550 trans, Ford 9 in rear, 3:73 gears. Completely satisfied, Bryan a big help in the completion process. Superb fit and finish. Driven over 13K miles, no issues except fun. See pics.

[grabber blue]

About 10 years ago, I purchased a very nice, used B&B after lots of research. Way back in the day before the purchase, I went to the Knotts show and talked to all of the manufacturers for a solid day to really do my homework. At the time, LA Exotics (now called B&B - same car and company owner) was one of the largest manufacturers. Even these days at the Knotts Ford shows, there are a good supply of their 20-year old cars running around in great shape.

Anyway, I really liked the B&B frame setup the best because of the cross brace for extra rigiditity. More importantly, I am 6 ft tall, 210, and have so much legroom that I can stretch my leg out completely straight when the clutch is depressed. They mount the floor under the frame for a few more inches between the wheel and my lap, otherwise my legs would rub the steering wheel. Go figure, being able to fit inside is a significant plus!

The car is completely reliable - I have never had a problem with ANYTHING mechanical, structural, electrical, cosmetic...litererally nothing. OK, a little knurled steel knob vibrated off of my VDO odometer reset, big deal. I also put on a little larger front disc brakes and 4 piston calipers as they help on the california freeways when people stop short in new cars with ABS. My car has a built 302 and my mechanic says it actually runs too cool...mostly 175 degrees.

The car corners totally flat without needing swaybars. The body is flawless...I have one of the early gelcoat color cars...and there is no gelcoat cracking or fading (w/ clearcoat and wax.) Everywhere I go, I get compliments on it. Last week a guy in a new Ferrari waved at me, haha. But the biggest kick I get is when the bikers all give me the thumbs up because I also ride. This car is every bit as fun as riding my motorcycle.

Bryan was kind enough to speak with me before my used purchase back in the day, and now again years later, when I very recently ordered a few different accessories from B&B. The parts are all in stock, will be here in a couple days, and are competitively priced. Their follow-up service is stellar. To those thinking about a brand of roadster, please know that parts and service (and advice!) after the sale is very important - and 10 years later, they are still here, kind, helpful, and professional.

My education is in both mechanical engineering and transportation design and I have experience in OEM automobile product development. There are lots of brands out there, some good, some not so good. The most important parts of a kit car are the frame and the body in my opinion, as the buyer determines most of the rest of the specs. Consequently, I would recommend a B&B without hestitation.

I'll try to attached a cell phone foto from the coast in Redondo Beach.

[Bryan Anderson]

thanks for the nice post, I really like that Grabber blue, I don't think you are on my owners group section at *B&B Manufacturing - :::: - Feel the Thunder - :::: - Hotrods from Kit to Turn Key - :::: please send over a few pictures and I will get you up on the website.

thanks again.
Bryan anderson
B&B

[WHTNUKL]

I bought my LA Exotic (now B&B) off a used car lot 15 years ago. I cleaned it up and showed it for about 8 year, got 4 trophies, and decided I'd rather track the car instead of cruise it. After re-setting up the car for open track racing, I've been having a BLAST running at speed. The stoked 351C with 3.08 gears puts 405 HP on the rear tires, which can be a riot coming out of turns at over 100.

The car continues to be a work in progress. I keep learning more and more about the finite details of configuring a car for road racing. My latest project is another suspension upgrade. Then it's some front aerodynamics. Thanks to Brian for working with me over the years on unconventional upgrades.

Here's youtube link of how much fun you can have in these cars:

WHTNUKL Chasing a GT40 at WSIR - YouTube

[DustinJ05]

Hey Guys!

I purchased an '05 B&B from a guy in Austin, TX in Feb 2012. He bought the kit, mounted the body, and installed the motor and then lost interest. After a bit of negotiations, we loaded it on the trailer and headed home. My Dad worked with me to get the motor going and got it straight into paint/body. We decided on a '65 Ford Champagne Beige Metallic since I wanted something different, but still from the time period. In August, I took it with me to North Alabama and met up with the North Alabama Cobra Club. Great bunch of guys and learned a whole lot! At the end of October, I headed back to Texas with a new transmission, the trunk completed, seats re-padded, exhaust coated, carb tuned, updated to HEI distributer, and a new dash. Yesterday, I ordered a set of American Racing 427's, Nitto 555's, and Yukon 3.73 posi to complete the exterior. Hopefully by the end of the Winter, I'll have the interior finished too. You can see in my album where it started in Feb and how it looks now.

Club Cobra - DustinJ05's Album: 2012 Project - B&B 66'

As it sits:
'05 B&B titled as 1966 Cobra
302 with a T-5 and pro 5.0 shifter
8.8 rear with 3.08 (soon to be swapped out)
No radio or heat/ac
Average 20 mpg and a blast every single mile

[pepes]

Bonjour, I just bought my B&B in USA. i am leaving in France. It is titled 1966, guards red with white stripes. it is equipped with a 351ci Windsor. I expect to meet B&B owner and to learn on B&B history in order to facilitate the registration in France. Can some of you help me? I am very enthusiast to drive it.

[1948]

My B&B is titled 1966. Built in 2002. Purchased in Chicago a couple of years ago. Much work done on the car since purchase by my good friend Dwight in North Alabama. The list is way too long to print here but the big parts are aluminum radiator, tires, Tremic T5 5 speed, Keith craft 408 stroker, 530 HP, hardtop, side windows, heater-defroster, the list goes on and on. Looking forward to Ohio again this year.