Contact Info and Random Thought

[Brose]

Don and D.V.

The information you provide to Classic owners is invaluable. I thought it would be appropriate for you both to list your contact information and the services you provide so users of this forum can reward you by sending you business.

Have either of you considered hosting a Classic build clinic? I've read of other people doing this -- What a great way to learn the ins and outs of a build. Don - I'd be happy to organize one in MN (I'm in Minneapolis). Would anyone else be interested in something like that?

[dscott]

Brose, Thanks for the compliment! I try really hard to please my customers and customers of Classic Roadsters. You will find I am an honest person that sometimes turns down business or sales if I think I can't do a good job or if the customer doesn't need to spend the money. Over the years I know I've lost a lot of money on sales of items I can't sell with a good conscience. I think some people may think I'm stupid for doing this but I know I can sleep at night knowing I've done the right thing. I don't think this forum is the place to try and promote my business unless I'm willing to pay for advertising. Buy the way Brent, I am interested in advertising please send me some info.

I will give you a little background on my business. I started in 1990 in Minneapolis and moved to a small town 1 1/2 hours NW of Mpls 5 years ago. I built a shop behind my house last year. It's 4,000 sq ft and works great for me. It is well equipped with a lift, welding equipment, just about everything else you can think of. We do all of our own engine building in-shop and have an engine dyno made by dynomax which allows us to do alot of experimenting for power and torque. It also gives me peace of mind in knowing an engine I ship is broken in properly and everything is set. I provide all levels of support and parts sales. I sell all suspension components, rear ends, engines, trannys, steering, wheels and tires, and anything else a person might need for building a car themselves. I also provide service on customer cars and will complete a car to any level. I have built about 100 kits over the years with about 75% being Cobras. I have built the Sebring MX and 5000, MGTD, 36 Mercedes, 36 Jaguar, 29 Mercedes, Lamborhgini Countach, 55 T-Bird, and a few street rods.

When I built my first kit I was very frustrated in finding parts so I decided to sell packages, My front end package is complete down to the nuts and bolts, my engine packages include everything so all you need to do is hook up the hoses and wires and it's ready to run, no timing to set no carb to adjust, no cam break-in. I think this helps the average builder complete their car without the frustration of locating parts.

For the past year I have been helping Classic with tech support questions. I am very happy to do this and many people that call think they are wasting my time but this is not true. I love helping. I am still like a kid with these cars so I love sharing my knowledge and expertise even though I'm not making money on most of the calls unless I sell something. It's my way of giving something back. Not very many people can work at home, do what they love and make money at it. I can and it's great. I'm not getting rich by any means but there's more to life than money. Happiness and family are at the top of mine.

I have had several customers build their cars in my shop which is kind of a 1 on 1 clinic. I would be interested in holding a clinic if enough people were interested.

Sorry to ramble on so long but as you can see I like to talk. Somedays that's all I do! My phone and address are:
Minnesota Classic MotorSports
39342 Co Rd 185
Sauk Centre, MN 56378
1-888-722-6272 voice
1-320-352-3841 fax
Don

[JBlake]

I'd second Brose's sentiment about your value to the cobra owner community. As a newbie to this world, I've experienced many frustrations (and I'm not even building, just trying to fine tune). The value I recieve from your posts is second to none. Your integrity comes shining through in your posts. Although I'm based in New England and unable to attend the clinic, based on my limited experience with you, I'm certain it would be worth the price of admission. Good luck.

[BrianR]

I too would like to express my gratitude to Don & D.V. for thier participation in this forum, I feel very fortunate to have this level of technical support at our disposal.
I live in Little Falls Mn. and have visited Don on a number of occasions throughout the process of my build and have decided that my favorite thing to do is to visit Don & Chris! Don't worry guys, I'll try not to over do it!
At any rate....if there is any kind of Cobra activity in Minnesota please count me in! After going to the D.V. Spring Fling I have the "Cobra Bug" worse than ever!
Many Thanks,
BrianR

[Double Venom]

Fellas,
I could just about copy Don's coments all over. Been doing this as a hobby/business since '72. Build just about everything with a motor.

I too don't like to "advertise " here either because not being fair to Brent. We have years of R&D on CR's Cobras and some of the upgrades we have talked them into is the Griffin radiators, Blue Coil Springs, the new frames for small block cars, etc.

Wait until you see the new independant rear end that has actually been "engineered" for the CR's Cobra - not a modified, but a totally, from the ground up, sheep-skin engineered rear double wishbone suspension! (First test with straight axle, best "G" at Honda's TRC testing grounds in Marysville, Ohio was around a.72 G, after three weeks of testing and modifying. New rear end, one incomplete test, with the same street tires, the car pulled a 1.2 G, destroying the motor in my own DV. Seems Viper motors can't pull over a 1G without baffeled oil pans!


We are bugging the crap out of them weekly to change steering columns*, and to install an additional brace just for a 4-point seat belt system.

I can't tell you some of the changes Don has had them implement.
Don has been instrumental in getting new motor mounts allowing the lowering of the motors, which is critical for those using the hi-rise intakes!

You would think that Don & I would be doing battle with each other, since we basically do the same thing. Doesn't happen!

I send many customers to Don, and vice versa. His motors, rear-ends are the finest available. His knowledge and experience is vast and worth a fortune.

As far as holding a school, I would be glad to. School starts when you get here! I've even let guys use my shop for free when they just weren't able to figure out which way is "up" on a shock! (easier on me to instruct in house than to travel a couple of hundred miles to help! )

What I think is really cool, I don't think anyone on this board has asked a question that Don or I haven't been able to help with! I may eat those words, but I think we are batting 100%!

If you read the last few posts about shocks and springs you will see that I made a boo-boo on a spring rate. (We had just installed this light weight spring at a customers request and re-posted it as the spring to use.

Don read it, knew it wasn't the norm, instead of bringing it up here, he called me at the shop and very, very tactfully told me I was full of crap! Actually he simply asked if I had re-read my post suggesting maybe I made a typ-0!

The bottom line, Don & I both love all these cars! Either one of us will do what ever it takes to make your job easier, so please do NOT hesitate to ask! If we have different opinions, it is usually posted here, along with the reason / choices why. Occassionaly you might even see a debate between us stating the why's and the how's. This is only to your benefit!

If this ever turns into a job...I quit!

Classics by Elite, Inc.
3212 Old Columbus Rd.
London, Oh. 43140 --
740-852-5280
http://www.cobras.com
Proud home of the "Double Venom Spring FLing!"
"Yesterday's Classics - Today's Technology" TM.

DV

* our new steering columns eliminates the extension tube, the nylon grommet used for a bearing, and "Collapses" upon impact!

[Don]

Don and DV:


It bit early, but........if both of you were to attend the 2002 Spring Carlisle Kit Car show and select the Motel of choice, then it might be possible for all the CR Cobra owners attending the event to meet both of you ? Might get CR ( hope someone from CR reads this posting) to sponsor a meeting room, etc.,etc., and also actively participate

I have a CR Cobra built by Don.......like wow !!!!!!!!!

[Double Venom]

Don,
I like that idea a lot! I don't know if I will be there next year, but lets assume yes.

I was supposed to be there this year to represtn CR's, but due to my car being down, DVII not being finished and a work lot that is, well lets say amazing-we just couldn't make it!

I know I let CR's down and a lot of the CR guys. I apologize for that!

Don S. .... what do you think? Can you make it? We can have a dinner some evening where we can meet everyone!
DV

[jwinkler]

I have to chime in here and say that these two guys and this forum were invaluable for me when I swapped the 302 in my CR for the 351, and encountered subsequent wiring problems. It's also pretty exciting to hear about what they're coming up with!

JLW
("Honey, I think I need to put an independent rear suspension in the Cobra...")

[Don]

Don & DV

I sent the posting to Classic Roadsters a few weeks asking them to respond on the possibility of sponsoring a meeting at next year's Spring Carlisle Kit Car Show.........has anyone heard from them ?

Don

[dscott]

I haven't heard a thing. I'll call on monday and see if I can get a response. I think the Carlisle show idea is a good one also. Does anyone have the dates of the show. The other option would be to arrive a day early for the DV spring fling. I don't think I can do both and I would like to attend the fling instead. Any suggestions or comments?
Don

[Double Venom]

J,

I haven't heard a word from "Roadster's" either, but they can be kind of slow answering their e-mails!

I think Don has a great idea. This way we could utilize the shop, show you what we do and how we do it. I'm game if you guys are.

Start writing your questions down now! Bring camera and even a video camera if you want!


Next years DVSF, although not advertised yet, bill be June 21/23rd. We will also be getting together that Friday night- so much more to come on the DVSF II !

DV

[Art Burtt]

Don,
Got the drive shaft yesterday. UPS guy delivered it and five minutes later it was in the car. Thanks a lot. Oh by the way great price too. Check was sent out this morning.Have agood one.
Art