Owner built on a budget;

[spl310]

I don't get over to Clubcobra often, so I just found this today. WOW!!! That is AWESOME!!!

[Hray]

Wow, cant believe it has been 4 months since a visit here.

cobra is doing well, still not driving it like I should, got a temp permit 60 days ago so i could get the bar sticker on it. have not moved the car. shame on me big time.

sort of found the need to sell a couple of my other classics, put the 27 t up for sale, did get a sb100 for it and got the bar to place sticker on firewall, but for the life of me I can not find anyone that wants a hot rod for even as low as 7500.00 guess times are tough.

Craig and I have moved on to do a full on custom 62 chevy for a friend, my part of the labor is I got a free 57 belair out of the deal. Craig gets the cash.

so hopefully, once the 27 finds a new home I will begin to put a few miles on the cobra. Glad to read everyone posts and see you guys are still providing good insights to those in need. I will try to not stay gone so long next time.

Ray

[James Stern]

Nice to hear from you Ray. It has been a long time. For you the build was the most important thing. I like to go. I hope you sell the Hot-Rod and get some wheel time in the Cobra.

Jim

[Hray]

Jim: I think you are right, I must like building them more than driving them.

I have an entire barn full of cars, hardly ever get them out to drive. I told myself once retired that would change. It has a little, but not near enough.

I was sort of waiting for my haggerty policy to expire, then get another policy which includes the cobra. so telling myself that it would not have been that good of an idea to drive it without insurance anyway.

take care, and I will not be gone so long next time.

Ray

[James Stern]

Ray after all that work DO NOT drive it without insurance. That would be a potential tragedy. I was involved in a 4 car accident involving a drunk driver and found out (at least in my case) that the rear bumperettes do provide some protection. Just lucky sometimes.

Jim

[Hray]

Dear Diary, and fellow cobra friends.

Couple weeks back took the budget build cobra to Elk grove Muscle cars in the park show and shine. Got a second place trophy for two seater sports cars. Lost first place to a tricked out 02 vette, Craig got a first for his firebird, and the z28.

On vacation in Kauai this week, met tons of gearheads here and visited a couple of builders. Saw one of those AC continuation cars, glass body, I didn't know they built a glass body continuation. But I don't know lots of stuff.

building a 57 belair this winter, maybe next winter will build the other CR.

Hey Krewton what about a update on the build for the tall guy.
DV did you sell your unfinished CR. People love my car and are inquiring about finding one like it.

Anyway nice to play catch up on all the cr threads here.

Later Ray

[Double Venom]

Hray,
Howdy! I did sell the Cobra last Spring to a well deserving fella out of Texas. His was stolen and totaled, I think we had everything he needed and is back to getting it on the road!

DV
PS.. If you need any Chevy. Original Muscle car motors for that collection of yours, let me know! 396 Excellent blocks -2Bolts, early 70's 4 bolt and two bolt 350's left plus more parts than I know what to do with!

409's, 427', 454's are all gone-lots of OEM 454 heads though and a few HI-Po small block heads left.

[Hray]

Hello to my diary;

Last month, June 2011 got the car licensed, insured, and driving on the road. if I have any clue it was this much fun would not have waited over a year just to drive it.

The car drives like a dream, the light weight springs on front ride great, absolutely no cockpit heat coming in at all. have got about 400 miles on it with no problems at all.

I sold my other CRL to a friend in Southern California, and he is attempting to get it done sooner rather than later.

Well, guess I did have one problem, at 116 miles on the odometer it just quit working, have not checked to see what the problem is yet.

I do not think I would do anything different from the way it built it. Rides like a dream, I love the CRL exhaust, gets loud when on the gas, but when crusing you can carry on a conversation without hollering.

The 3;37 gears seem to be perfect for the T-5 trans, crusing at about 65mph at about 1550 rpms.

I did show it at the Folsom Motor Fest in June and got a first place trophy for my class.

[*13*]

I was wondering what ever happened to HRAY. How is everything? WhAt are you working on these days?

[Hray]

Glad to know I was missed somewhat, or at least wondered about.

Well, since the cobra got done 18 months ago i have logged in 400 hours of custom work for a customer doing a 62 chevy biscayne, full on custom show car with Craig. he ran out of money and we sent it home till he gets more money.

I went to SoCal and took a custom upholstery class from the famous Ron Mangus on how to create and build show winning custom interiors.

I am doing a 57 chevy belair right now, thought I was ready for paint, but after the upholstery seminar found out I need to get that interior done first, then remove it for the final paint stages.

Then two weeks ago started a 12by24 room addition for the wife, she needs more room in her craft room.

and sold my other kit, then bought me a harley ultra electra glide for a little crusing on two wheels.

so life goes on, everyone is healthy.

plus got my first social security check last month, hope they don not run out of funds in the future. As always just staying way too busy, but guess I like it that way. HRAY

[*13*]

Keep your mind healthy, hopefully your body will follow!

[James Stern]

Yep Ray you were missed. Nice to know you are still doing things at full speed. Now that I'm retired I wonder how I ever found time to work. Keep on moving forward.

Jim S.

[Hray]

Good to see the cobra family is doing well. I am driving the car some.
I have built a 57 belair hardtop, and now doing a 55 belair hardtop.

Still healthy and pinching pennies to build cars.

I do hope someone gets help from reading my journey here.

Best to all of you. Tcrist stops by the trifive.com website and says hello sometimes.

Ray green

[James Stern]

Ray, Again, nice to hear from you. As busy as you are building Chebbies I'm surprised that you have any time to post. Hope you are getting some nice drive time weather. It's too damn cold here.

Jim Stern

[Hray]

Originally Posted by James Stern

Ray, Again, nice to hear from you. As busy as you are building Chebbies I'm surprised that you have any time to post. Hope you are getting some nice drive time weather. It's too damn cold here.

Jim Stern

It has been cold here as well, hard to keep the shop warm. I have several more years of builds I hope to get done. The 55 will be done in a couple months. Then time to finish my 56 that I started in 86 and never finished. Someplace in there I gotta sell a few.

It least I have reason to get out of bed.

This 55 was supposed to be an autorama build, not going to make this deadline. I have taken too many days off.

As always nice to chat. Ray

[tcrist]

Good morning Ray,

Good to see you checking in over here.

[Hray]

The cobra is doing fine, driving it on somewhat regular basis. Got a best roadester trophy at elk grove show in the park, a pleasant surprise.

I have built a 57, and 55 chev in last two years. Might get the 56 done this winter.

The chevies are documented on TriFive.com, 1955 Chevy 1956 chevy 1957 Chevy Forum , Talk about your 55 chevy 56 chevy 57 chevy - Belair , 210, 150 sedans , Nomads and Trucks, Research, Free Tech Advice .

Hope all is well with everyone.

Ray

[dallas_]

Nice work!

Good to see you're checking in from time to time.

Take care,

John

[Hray]

Holiday greetings to all you guys. Been 5 yrs since I checked in. Doing just great. I have built so many cars since the cobra I have lost track.

Currently finishing a 32 Pontiac street rod coupe. And trying to finish my 56 Belair that is same color as cobra. Also bought an abandoned 37 Pontiac 6 coupe street rod. I have been posting build updates on my Facebook pages. Still cruising the CRII.

I trust all is well with everyone.

Ray

[MOTORHEAD]

Greetings Ray, I remember your build thread, always looked forward to the updates. You did a outstanding job for the budget restrictions you had.
Sounds like things are well at your end, hope that continues for you.

Best regards,

Ted