Classic Roadsters Opinion Needed

wwolfe · #1 (**permalink**) 08-21-2009, 09:43 AM

Hi -

Very serious on a 93 built classic roadsters built 427 cobra replica. Car was refreshed last year with 351 and all other drive train rebuilt. Killer paint job and detail through out car. Not familar with Classic Roadster and understand they are no longer in business. Only familaiar with Factory Five, Back Draft, etc kits. I know the doors on the CR are different from most kits and the interior i guess is more spacious?

I am looking for open and honest feedback as if i drive and like it tomorrow i am buying it. The car is show quality and detailed nicely.

I will be interested in putting Halibrand Knock-Offs either lug style or pin drive on car as it currently has Foose wheels on it.

Ron61 · #2 (**permalink**) 08-21-2009, 10:27 AM

I had a 1996 one that I did a lot of modifications on and I loved it. I set it up for road racing and it wasn't a show car, though I did enter it in a few shows and won a few times. I had a 351 stroked to 418 that put out over 500 horse and it was a blast to drive. I put QA1 12 way adjustable coil overs on all 4 corners and put on large disk brakes and some other suspension upgrades and that car handled better than any I have ever owned. I had to sell it because of health and it was the only car Im ever sold that I almost cried when it left.

Ron

rustyBob · #3 (**permalink**) 08-21-2009, 12:54 PM

wwolfe dont fall for the fancy paint job........chack the mechanicals first,engine, trans, brakes, look for loose wireing, check lines(brake/fuel)hoses make sure you look a reciepts and ask questions about everything.Remember it dosen't make any difference what color you paint a turd it's still a turd.

CobraEd · #4 (**permalink**) 08-21-2009, 01:54 PM

I have had mine for 10 years and love it. A teriffic car!!!!

sdfletch · #5 (**permalink**) 08-21-2009, 01:57 PM

Usually, cars that are show quality to the eye need little else unless there is fraud involved. It may be a circumstance sale. Just know the seller and be comfortable. Bring a mechanic if you like. Just don't pay 80k for a CR. IMO

Double Venom · #6 (**permalink**) 08-21-2009, 04:04 PM

Fella
To be up front I am a builder of ALL Cobras, I have built more CR's than any other brand. Not by my choice but by my customer choices. The two Cobras you picked to compare to a CR's is really quite unfair. They're like the old apples and orange debate, ya they're both about the same shape and basically size, but in all honesty that is where the comparison ends.

Look in the trunks see how many are truly a one piece trunk-weather tight, or how many kits have simply a hole in them they drop a gas tank into. I have seen cobras with nothing but "air" and a tank in the back.

How many cobras have DOT approved double locking door mechanisms-maybe EM OR WestCoast Cobras?

How many Cobras have a 4" steel channel running through the interior of their doors?
'How many Cobra have ALL structural components bolting into STEEL?
How many Cobras have a fuel tank that is totally enclosed in the frame and not hanging down below the frame by 4 or 5 inches!?

At least go into the same family and compare, my personnel and professional opinion is to find a Mid STATES, ( Although they have been out of business for years.) Unique, ERA, EM, Superpreformance, West Coast.

Pick a kit, any kit, open the doors and see how much play is built in? Some are so far out you have to manually hold up the door to get it to close without hitting the body. Gentlemen, please don't tell me it's the builders fault! That is BS. I have spent hours and sometime days rebuilding some company's hinges so the door would at least work with one hand.

Look at the hinges! Tube-ultra thin just bent to make a hinge? Or in some cases even worse?

Yes, I build and used to sell them all (Now retired), as far as I know off I am/was the only commercial builder that refused to stick to one company.

Between your choices with nothing else to go on but price you can see where my choice would lay. In fact you are more than welcome to call me at 231-869-4608. I will be Glad to try and give you an honest open opinion.

DV

capteddie · #7 (**permalink**) 08-21-2009, 06:57 PM

DV....

Not sure where this fellow is (I've been busy at work and trying to keep our schedule intack in my off time

), but he has about a week to stop by and see my CRII while it's in MI.

Its a REALLY good example of a CRII. As much as this build has been a challenge and really stressful with the closing down of CRII in the middle of the project. I'm not disapointed in the least. And I haven't even driven it yet.

7 - 10 days DV.... sweating yet?

by the way I'm sitting in a bar in Muskegon right now, so I'm only a half hour away. See you in the morning!!!

Double Venom · #8 (**permalink**) 08-22-2009, 12:48 AM

What ME sweat

?
I just kick things and wait for my toes to heal

DV

wwolfe · #9 (**permalink**) 08-22-2009, 07:23 PM

thanks for all the feedback. I looked at the car and drove it and bought it today. as described and drove and handled great. not the latest technology suspension, but not racing it a watkins glen. detail is great, paint is great and runs great plus the 100 shot of nitrous in the trunk does not hurt matters. very happy and very fair price. will post pics soon. just need to get the foose wheels off the car and polished halibrands on ASAP.

wes

sdfletch · #10 (**permalink**) 08-22-2009, 09:22 PM

wwolfe,

Did you get a chance to hit the nitro button?

wwolfe · #11 (**permalink**) 08-22-2009, 09:24 PM

not yet...need to get used to the car first. Bottle is full though!

rustyBob · #12 (**permalink**) 08-22-2009, 09:55 PM

cool, glad to hear that it was up to your strict requirements.....you own a Cobra.........its in your garage.........YOUR COBRA IN YOUR GARAGE.....thats cool.

jdean · #13 (**permalink**) 08-22-2009, 10:00 PM

Congratulations...you wont be disappointed with a well made CR....OK how bout some pics of it?

MaSnaka · #14 (**permalink**) 08-22-2009, 10:55 PM

Yeah, what jdean said...don't make us wait too long for pics. What engine do you have in the car?

John

HI Cobra · #15 (**permalink**) 08-23-2009, 01:26 AM

I think in the first post he said it was a 351. Don't think you need to mess
with that nitrous stuff - at least for a while. These cars have a way of
getting your attention if you get a little careless with the right foot - don't
need no extras!

wwolfe · #16 (**permalink**) 08-23-2009, 08:23 AM

motor is a 351 with edelbrock aluminum heads, intake, carb. Have the Dyno sheets. 396HP at 5400RPM. Nice street motor. Will not mess with the NOS for a while. I will post pics in a few days.

Don't worry, Foose wheels will be gone soon! Looking at a set of polished 427 cobra wheels from American Racing

Double Venom · #17 (**permalink**) 08-23-2009, 09:13 AM

wwolfe,
By the way, glad to have you on board! I for one can't wait for you to hit the bottle button

.....

Got a roll-bar camera for a video by chance!? I'd love to see that puppy really fired up!

DV

MaSnaka · #18 (**permalink**) 08-24-2009, 02:42 PM

Take the roll bar camera and point it towards your face so we can all see the expression when you do hit the button for the first time. It sounds like you have plenty of power without it though but what the heck. Be careful and make sure you have good tires between you and the road.

John

rustyBob · #19 (**permalink**) 08-24-2009, 08:43 PM

that has got to be a white knuckle ride with the nitros........that lends new meaning to the turm HOLD ON.

wwolfe · #20 (**permalink**) 08-25-2009, 06:13 AM

drove it home last night..about a 70 mile trip with no issues. very well mannered and heater cranks! it was down to about 58 degrees and getting cold. car is everything i was looking for and no nitrous yet...it will be a while. took some pics last night and will post tonight. thanks again for all the support and info.

two things
1) looking for halibrand style wheels for the car
2) anyone know who sells the rear fender guards for these cars. paint is really chipped up there and want to fix and protect there...rest of the paint is mint. was thinking of getting that clear plastic to goes over the body like they use on hoods of cars or on dually trucks.