Hello from South Greenville South Carolina

Road Dawg · #1 (**permalink**) 12-31-2023, 11:40 AM

Saw my first Cobra back in 1967 at a Ford Dealer in Abington, Pennsylvania. It was sitting outside with a window sticker on the windshield. It was red and the sticker price was $10,000. I remember thinking that you could buy a house for that price. I've wanted one ever since and am now finally at a point in my life where I'm starting to look. Backdraft Racing and Superformance both look good to me. Also, I would like to find one with a top. I did see a few online with a fastback hardtop and really loved the look. Seems like you can only get these tops from the UK. No roller cars because I'm not handy with tools. Any tips would be appreciated. Seems like an excellent forum here and quite large!

mrmustang · #2 (**permalink**) 12-31-2023, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Road Dawg

Saw my first Cobra back in 1967 at a Ford Dealer in Abington, Pennsylvania. It was sitting outside with a window sticker on the windshield. It was red and the sticker price was $10,000. I remember thinking that you could buy a house for that price. I've wanted one ever since and am now finally at a point in my life where I'm starting to look. Backdraft Racing and Superformance both look good to me. Also, I would like to find one with a top. I did see a few online with a fastback hardtop and really loved the look. Seems like you can only get these tops from the UK. No roller cars because I'm not handy with tools. Any tips would be appreciated. Seems like an excellent forum here and quite large!

Well, I think you need to do a little more homework than what "looks good", you need to dig a little deeper and find yourself a few local cars where the owners will allow you to actually sit in them, so you can get a real feel for what the car is, and is not. After that, you can decide if you want something that looks and/or feels like an original, vs something else. You'll find a few SPF's, Backdrafts, ERA's, FFR's, maybe even a Contemporary Cobra replica or two floating around. A few originals, and even a Kirkham have been known to roll in to cars and coffee at the Michelin corporate building on occasion. All can be had with a top, but quite frankly, in the 20++ years I've owned any of my Cobras, I can count on two hands the times I've actually used my tops, maybe both hands and feet for the number of times I've used my tonneau covers. This coming from snow country, then down here roughly ten or so years ago. The fastback or hardtops are a real PIA, besides custom fitting, they are not convenient, nor easy to take on and off. Why buy a cobra convertible, if you do not plan to drive it without a top. Might as well look at Daytona Coupes at that point.

Now, with that said, can't help you with a 427SC test fit, but I do have an ERA 289 FIA I can teach you how to properly get in and out of (hint, you do not touch the windshield or windshield frame, not ever). I'll have it out for my annual New Years Day ride (since 1979) in the morning.

Bill S.

Tommy · #3 (**permalink**) 12-31-2023, 02:57 PM

Welcome. And pay close attention to what Bill (MrMustang) says. He knows what he is talking about, especially when it comes to buying a Cobra.

Alfa02 · #4 (**permalink**) 12-31-2023, 05:12 PM

Bill, talk him into our "West Coast" it's now ready for sale

Ditto to Tommy's post Bill knows his stuff, Cheers Tom.

twobjshelbys · #5 (**permalink**) 12-31-2023, 06:19 PM

I strongly encourage you to look at the 289 class cars. The engine in my Windsor based 427 always felt like it wanted to run at higher RPMs that was compatible with street driving, the result was that I typically drove in 3rd (sometimes 4th) to keep the RPMs up a little to keep the engine from feeling like it was bogged down. The 427 are bred for the track and thrive on high RPMs at WOT for sustained periods of time. The 289 engine is a much better match. And remember, it was the 289 cars that won most of the races and prizes.

From your technical skill set you don't want a new kit nor do you want a finished roller. Even the roller requires you to install the power train and that will take some familiarity with engines and transmissions after the fact, no matter who installs it. These cars don't have a 3 year / 36000 mile warranty. Look for a completed and sorted finished car. www.cobracountry.com is a place to start. Sometimes here too (in the sale section).

patrickt · #6 (**permalink**) 12-31-2023, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Road Dawg

... I'm not handy with tools. Any tips would be appreciated.

1) Buy a car that has about 5,000 to 10,000 miles on it. Do not buy a car with less than a thousand miles on it unless the owner is dead.

2) Do not buy a car sight unseen.

3) Do not buy a car that you have not driven.

4) Spend as much money as you comfortably can on it. The more you spend, the better the car will be.

twobjshelbys · #7 (**permalink**) 12-31-2023, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

2) Do not buy a car sight unseen.

3) Do not buy a car that you have not driven.
.

2. Even if you have to fly to see it. Do not substitute a 3rd party pre purchase inspection for this step because it is integral with 3. You should still get a full ppi by a cobra guru if you decide to move forward. You don't want to buy something only to find the kit was welded badly.

3. Driving is part of my rule that do not buy a car you haven't sat in. The cobra foot box has you sit at an angle to the pedals. It seems uncomfortable at first but I got used to it. The second part is that the seat and steering wheel positions are different for every manufacturer and even within the same especially if it is a kit. I found that two superformance cars I tried on - you don't sit in a cobra, you wear it - the steering wheel hit me in the lap. Shelby csx either through seats or steering position column was perfect.

Some owners won't let you drive it. But at least sit in the driver's seat and be sure it fits. You dont want to getva car onlyvto find it needs thousands of dollars of restructyring to be drivable. Don't get too upset if they won't let you drive. Cobras are squirrelly and can break loose with the simplest things that don't affect a street car. I wouldn't let unknown inexperienced people drive mine either.

Road Dawg · #8 (**permalink**) 01-01-2024, 05:36 AM

Thanks to everyone for your messages. I do have a gen ll Viper (red 2002), and your words of wisdom sound similar to what I would tell anyone looking to buy one of these quirky cars as well. I'm sure I've seen Bill's ERA cobra at Michelin cars and coffee. I'm there almost every month.

Bill, I'll send you an email. Thanks for your advice.