"... tearing me apart!

[dtmaso]

I've been a long-time lurker (years), ready now to plunk cash down for a Superformance w/a 427 side oiler. In my search I've located a most promising prospect, a low-mile out of state SO car. I also became interested in an extremely well sorted and maintained local car - a top-oiler. I do want the bragging rights associated with the SO. But the TO is something else to behold, but surprisingly so is the price (for a TO).

Fact 1: I want 'wow' factor, even a little amongst fellow Cobra owners.
Fact 2: I want an Original 427 SO for collector value and bragging rights.
Fact 3: I want a finished car, with attention to detail paid to the build.

In a few days I'm heading out to inspect the SO. There and then I should have made my mind up - or will I. In the meantime, I reach out for your thoughts, experiences and comparisons.

In the words of James Dean, it's "tearing me apart!"

[Bartruff1]

IMHO fact 3 is a fact...

[*13*]

Resale value. That's what should matter to most people. So many guys here buy a car, drive it for a couple years, then want the Aluminum bodied car...or just plain want something else other than a Cobra.

[r67cat]

You will not be disappointed with your choice. The fact that you can open the hood and behold a power plant that was meant for a Cobra is huge. The old chicken farmer built 120 cars powered with the 427 and 228 cars with 428, so as long as you see a FE Ford under the hood you will have no embarrassment and eye popping performance. Best of luck and let us know how the purchase goes. Rick

[AL427SBF]

If it were me and it came down to the motor, all other criteria being essentially met (differences considered splitting hairs), I would opt for the SO. I think the cammer is at the panicle of ford motor building, there is no better motor in the "period correct" era, and few can compete with it today. There's a guy out there who can afford anything, and he has one of the best "authentic" car collections money can buy, he has one of the best "authentic" motorcycle collections out there. He doesn't have an original cobra, but he did have one hammered out from aluminum stock like the original - this before Kirkham and others were available. His had an FE in it, being a man who could afford anything, and also a man who wanted to be period correct, he swapped the FE out for an SO. Jay Leno - AC Cobra 427 Replica - Car Videos on StreetFire

[Mark IV]

I think he is refering to "SO" as "Side Oiler" not SOhc. And the Cammer never went into a Cobra from Shelby American so while it may be the "pinnacle" it is not "factory correct".

[dtmaso]

Hell, I WISH I was talking about a Cammer, but no, I'm referring to the 427 Side-Oiler.

I did recently see a beautiful red Cobra for sale in the Palm Springs area with a polished Cammer - but waaay out of my price range.

[FUNFER2]

If you have almost,....unlimited funds for a Cobra replica, that is nearly perfection to the original, look for or call the Kirkhams. If I could afford any car out there, it definitely would be a 427 Kirkham with a side oiler. You can't get any better, even over the newer 427 Shelby.

Two of my favorits-

Beautiful

NASTY

[AL427SBF]

Mark IV, you are right, just read about a cammer and had it on my mind lol.

[dunefanatic]

Dtmaso, Would you happen to know if the Palm Springs SOHC Cobra sold and for how much?

[WardL]

Fact 1: I want 'wow' factor, even a little amongst fellow Cobra owners.
Fact 2: I want an Original 427 SO for collector value and bragging rights.
Fact 3: I want a finished car, with attention to detail paid to the build.

Fact 1: Every Cobra owner will wow at another beautiful Cobra. I wow my friend's Cobra and it is just like mine!
Fact 2: Sorry, you have to spend $750k+ for an original before you have bragging rights of a collector car.
Fact 3: I know an amazing FF5 built by a Boeing machinist and it is BETTER than a Kirkham! That baby flies! The complete build is everything....

[BAsque1]

dtmaso:
I can understand your dilemma. I fell in the purchase of my Cobra because of the 427 Side Oiler (original) in it and it is absolutely amazing powerwise, sound, bragging rights et al.

However, don't hang up your decision just in the engine, these cars are great fun to drive wether you have a 289 or a 427 SOHC (not period correct).

If you are looking for fiberglass or aluminum then you need to make other decisions; financial mainly. I honestly prefer the fiberglass. I do remember back in the 60's the paint problems with the aluminum bodies.

We have moved gargantuan steps in the paint technology so those issues are probably all gone. I am still partial to fiberglass.

I agree with your "fact 3" I don't have the time or desie to brag about how long it took me to build my car, if you haver God bless...go for it. I want my time to enjoy and take care of the car like a baby.

Make these efforts of buying the car half of the fun, don't spoil it for yourself.
Enjoy the ride
Sincerely
Basque 1 (Lou)

[mreid]

The original post was a year ago. Hopefully, he bought the one he wanted and will post pictures at some point (hint, hint).

[dtmaso]

Dunefanatic - I don't know if or how much the Cammer sold for. I was told at the time that the owner turned down a $93k bid at Mechum Auctions as not reaching reserve. Haven't seen it since.

mreid - I did purchase a Superformance with a 427 last June - #2669. It's the car in my avatar, if you can see past the hood ornament. I'll post some pics soon.

[Randy Rosenberg]

Originally Posted by dtmaso

...I did purchase a Superformance with a 427 last June - #2669. It's the car in my avatar, if you can see past the hood ornament. I'll post some pics soon.

Is that Jeff's old SPF?