New member from Ottawa, Ontario

cankaw · #1 (**permalink**) 08-23-2010, 12:46 PM

Hi All,
Have been lurking for a while, you have a very impressive site!
I am a long time muscle car fanatic who currently owns a 1971 Buick GS 455 4speed. I have owned it since 1983.
I am currently thinking of adding a Cobra to my collection (1 car!

)
I see the odd Cobra around town but haven`t managed to talk to anyone at length, would love to get some ideas as to the best way to get involved and eventually get a Cobra of my own.
Cheers, Adam

Cashburn · #2 (**permalink**) 08-23-2010, 01:00 PM

Move to the USA! Seriously, welcome to the forum. Getting a car into Canada from the USA is not easy at all. I know people do it and I am sure people will contact you with assistance.

SunDude · #3 (**permalink**) 08-23-2010, 01:06 PM

Hey Adam, welcome aboard. I am also in Ottawa and own a fabulous Superformance Cobra (check out pics in my gallery).

I'm off work this week, but heading up to a friend's cottage for the next couple days. I'm planning to drop in at this Friday's cruise in at the Food Basics in Kemptville (weather permitting), if you wanna talk Cobras.

Brian

cankaw · #4 (**permalink**) 08-23-2010, 01:31 PM

Cashburn, I would but prefer real beer

Brian, thanks for the offer! I have seen the pics and movies, would love to see your car in person.
My heap is currently up on stands (again) to replace the clutch (again)
Do you ever get to the cruise at Rideau Carleton on Wednesdays?
I live in the westend (Kanata) so that and the Hazeldean cruise are my main venues.
I am thinking an older ERA or Contremporary might be my best bets, any thoughts?
Adam.

FUNFER2 · #5 (**permalink**) 08-23-2010, 05:06 PM

Adam- First of all, get rid of that,.... Puick.

Na, just kidding, that GS is a true American muscle car.

Welcome to the site & hopefully,... a cobra to ass in your garage. I have a Lone Star Cobra (LSC), if you're interested in talking about it, I'll send you a pm with my number. Click on my camera icon to see a few photo's.

There are several very good cobra manufactures out there, with a little different shapes, frames, interior's, ect. Study well and ask a lot of questions.

(any,... will beat that Puick)

Here's the link to LSC.

http://www.lonestarclassics.com/

Kevin

SunDude · #6 (**permalink**) 08-23-2010, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cankaw

Do you ever get to the cruise at Rideau Carleton on Wednesdays? I live in the westend (Kanata) so that and the Hazeldean cruise are my main venues.

Actually I don't usually "do" that many shows and I prefer to take part in smaller events with lots of fellow car guys who "get it" when it comes to how they treat other people's cars. And I coach my daughter's soccer team on Tue+Thu, so I never make the Hazeldean show. Mostly I like to just drive my Cobra, and my comings and goings are pretty spontaneous, depending on the weather. One of my sisters lives in Kanata and I sometimes get out there with "the beast." But this Friday's forecast is sunny and Kemptville isn't far from Kanata if you wanna take a nice drive...

Quote:

Originally Posted by cankaw

I am thinking an older ERA or Contemporary might be my best bets, any thoughts?

I suppose this really depends on whether you want to build a Cobra, or just want to buy one resale.

If you want to build a Cobra, I think your best bet (for Canada) is a Factory Five. The reason I say that is because they've already sorted out how to import their starter kits with Transport Canada's blessing, and there's a large group of FFR builders in town and online to support you. And the new FFR MkIV looks pretty nice, more accurate and nicer panel fit. But I kinda assume from the way you posed the question that this isn't what you're thinking; please correct me if I'm wrong.

If you're thinking about importing a Cobra replica from the U.S. because of the strong CAD, then your best choices would probably include ERAs, Contemporary Classics, Unique Motorcars, and Arntz/Butlers. If you go this route, the car must have been originally completed and registered at least 15 years ago, and you'll need paperwork to prove its age. This is MUCH HARDER to find than it sounds. I had chased down many nice cars in the U.S. and very few sellers could produce the right paperwork for customs purposes.

If you're looking at resale Cobras in Canada, then your best choice is probably a Superformance. They were sold here from 2001 to 2006 and, while rare, are available here in greater numbers than ERAs and Contemporary Classics and so on. Come see my car and I can show you what makes these cars so good.

You should also make sure you understand kit car registration and insurance in Ontario. For the most part home-built Cobra kits are uninsurable except through Facility Association, but professionally built Cobras like SPFs are eligible for collector car insurance. Come see my car and I can tell you more.

There are a number of different Cobra replicas on the roads here in Ottawa -- SPF, FFR, Pigeon Performance, Classic II, and ACR -- and you might want to check out as many different makes as you can. I've met most of these guys by now.

Ahh yes, you should also be sure to have a reasonable budget. Not just to buy a car, but also to operate and insure it. Otherwise your fun could be shortlived.

Mark IV · #7 (**permalink**) 08-23-2010, 07:17 PM

This may be an option...
http://www.riversideracers.com/7.html

Roy can fill you in on the options available to Canadians. Sadly, a new SPF is not possible until TC gets it's collective head out of it's arse. A factory engineered car certainly cannot be as well made and engineered as say, a coathanger welding wire "kit" built buy some Molson swilling hoser! (Hey, no offense, some of my best friends really are Canadians and I have not yet been declared "persona non grata" in the Great White North)

"Sundude" has one of the last Superformances to make it into Onatario and NOT be siezed!

Just don't sell yourself short to get a "Cobra" looking car without getting the Cobra DNA...........

SunDude · #8 (**permalink**) 08-23-2010, 08:10 PM

Good point Rick. The Riverside Racer 289 FIA/USRRC is a stunningly beautiful car. Unfortunately you can't buy one here as a turnkey-minus roller like you can in the U.S., but if you're able to build one, you can get the starter kit version.

SunDude · #9 (**permalink**) 08-28-2010, 06:26 AM

Hey Adam, it was nice to meet you yesterday. Drop me an email through Club Cobra; I have some info that might interest you...