Help for new owner of CR II Cobra 427

jimhurtt · #1 (**permalink**) 02-06-2009, 09:24 PM

I just bought a used CR II 427 Cobra. It is titled as a 91 in Indiana but I have no idea what year is was made. I was told it was a turnkey made by CR. My VIN is 4CRDBK121MF000141. Can anyone tell from that when they made it? I have no history on it other than it was owned by an Indiana dealer who took it to an Indiana auction where a dealer in Ky bought it then sold it to Lancemotors.com in New Jersey. I bought it from them and shipped it back to KY. I also have no idea what displacement the engine is. I suspect it is a 289 or 302. Also no idea what the running gear parts are from. I have heard CR II has gone under. Any ideas where I can buy parts? Forntunately it is in great shape and runs excellent. I have an oil leak but I am hoping it is the loose tube for the oil dipstick. I would appreciate any replies.

Jim

Ron61 · #2 (**permalink**) 02-07-2009, 07:28 AM

Jim,

You might contact DV who posts in this forum a lot. He is the most knowledgeable person on here about Classic Roadsters and I think he still builds cars for people from time to time. But if anyone could tell you about your car and where to find parts you need, I would bet on him.

See this thread which was right below yours at the time.

That other guy named Ed and DVs CRII build

Ron

Double Venom · #3 (**permalink**) 02-07-2009, 08:15 AM

Jim.
you've got a great start but... chances are yours is a "CR's" original cobra and not a CR II. Title is too old. Unfortunately the date of the VIN number or the number will tell you nothing about the date of build. 2nd thing CR II did not normally build factory cars where CRs did. Absoluytely great cars but by todays standards a little out dated with new suspensions and all. Most likely a 302 (?) Does it have a catalytic system? IF it does have "cats", you definatley want to get a hold of me!

If I can try to help don't hesitate!
DV

jimhurtt · #4 (**permalink**) 02-07-2009, 10:36 AM

I appreciate the comeback. I have loved Cobra's all my life and this is finally my first. I paid $23,900, which seems a lot less from what they have always been priced. It must be one of the original cars built by the original CR. Was that isn Fargo, ND? What years did it exist? Was it sold and then became CR II? CRII has not built turnkey cars? I thought they did. I guess I will have to search this forum and e-bay for parts, huh? This car seems really well built. Plus it is somewhat roomier than the other Cobra builds I've seen. Right now I have to jack it up and see if the oil dipstick tube being loose where it goes into the block is what is causing an oil leak. I hope that is all the problem is but have no idea how to fix it yet. Also it has no trunk or hood hold up rods. Any idea where to get those? Thanks

Jim

jimhurtt · #5 (**permalink**) 02-07-2009, 10:39 AM

DV: I forgot to add that it has no cats (thank goodness). It has straight chrome side pipes. Has that unmistakable Cobra growl.

Jim

Double Venom · #6 (**permalink**) 02-07-2009, 11:56 AM

Jim
Excellent, Don, owner of CRII built very few turnkeys if any. A lot of time he would buy used CR's, go through them front to back, update most of them and then sell. Gary Rutherford, original owner of CR's was starting around '79. Don bought the company from Rutherford very late '90's or early 2000-I've got to find that date. Don & I were going to buy the company together but since my forte was designing and building, Don did it by himself and I was to build all the turnkeys at the time plus sales of the Cobras. Don was going to handle the rest of the sales. Very, very long story in there but that is the gist of it..........

Hood prop rod: go to NAPA and ask for part # 819-5298. It's what GM used on the corvettes and the corvairs. A little modification, you will see how almost immedately and it will work just great. The trunk uses just a steel rod that reaches all the way into the left sidewall of the trunk, swings up and fits into a 'self drilled' hole in the trunk lid.

Although Enzo at Finishline sells tons abd tons of Cobra parts, check here before buying! Many of Enzo/s parts do not fit the CR!
DV

jimhurtt · #7 (**permalink**) 02-07-2009, 02:35 PM

Thanks for the great info. Gives me some feel for what I have. I've been told running a car fax on these Vins is fruitless. Can you buy the rod for the trunk support or is it something you have to fashion yourself? I just jacked the car up and crawled underneath. Very well made and fortunately very clean. Only problems I have discovered so far is the three piece lower radiator hose leaks at clamps. I will remove the whole thing and see if I can luck out and find a one piece with the proper curves. Also definitely have an oil leak where the oil dipstick tube goes into block on front of engine. It is broken loose there. I am hoping that tube is replaceable and not welded to the block or an integral part of it. Looks like a previous owner tried to epoxy it. Also appears trunk latch cable is broken as lever by seat does not move latch. I can't wait for a sunny, dry and warm day here in KY to get it on the road.

Jim

tcrist · #8 (**permalink**) 02-07-2009, 03:10 PM

Jim,
Is that actually the trunk latch or door latch cable. Normally the trunk is opened by the trunk handle or a small lever underneath the body below the trunk.

Terry

Double Venom · #9 (**permalink**) 02-07-2009, 04:03 PM

Jpm,
Terry is right that cable should be your drivers door latch. The CR's has a manual release in the middle of the trunk, below the body. If is is a cable it has been added later.
DV

jimhurtt · #10 (**permalink**) 02-07-2009, 07:47 PM

Well there are two cable release levers on the left side of the driver's seat. The front one is the driver's door latch and the second one (to the rear) does nothing now that I have tested it, as when it is levered the cable/latch in the trunk does not move. My trunk lid does not latch. So it bears further investigation when the garage warms up. Thanks.

Jim

Double Venom · #11 (**permalink**) 02-07-2009, 08:29 PM

Ahhh.......
A custom install, or one that wasn't finished? Who ever thought of customizing these cars!?

DV

HI Cobra · #12 (**permalink**) 02-07-2009, 09:44 PM

DV - I'm guessing Don started CRII somewhere around 2003 or 4. I got
mine from Rutherford in '99 and didn't finish it until late 2000. I got a
lot of advice and some parts from Don right up until his doors closed.
Said to see it happen - Don was a good man, always ready to help.

On the trunk lid - mine has the prop rod on the left, and a latch that
is low, center and you just reach under and move it to the left. The
lid stays down without the latch and I just grip the bottom of the lid
to raise it. Simple but it works.

MaSnaka · #13 (**permalink**) 02-07-2009, 10:12 PM

I think HICobra's timeline is about right. I acquired my CR in '04 from a private party sale and soon thereafter had a conversation with Pete at CRII who indicated the company had changed ownership and location about a year earlier.

My trunk is operated from underneath the lid, below the body with a lever that releases the latch. Then once the lid is opened there is a rod on the left hand side that holds it open.

Jim is it possible that 2nd lever of yours is to open the passenger side door? That would be a cool mod if it is. I always have to explain the procedure to new passengers. "WATCH your legs on the side pipes" first, then "push the lever straight down". My door levers are up behind the seat, not down on the floor. I have a picture in my gallery if your interested in seeing it.

John