New Cobra Owner

[Benz99]

Hello, I’ve been a Cobra fan for over 40 years and last April finally fulfilled my goal of one day owning a Cobra. After looking at about 15 different cars in 7 states I finally found the one. A Blue with white stripes Superformance. I had opportunities to buy different brands and colors for less money but I had my heart set on traditional blue/white. I’ve used this site a great deal before and after my purchase learning a great deal from all the knowledgeable people on here. Figured it was time to get my first post out of the way.

Bill SP0557

[Mark IV]

Welcome from Lockport, NY! If you need any SPF tech help or parts, we will be glad to help.

Be sure to get a wiring diagram from Blas "SPFWiringDiagrams@Comcast.net"

Rick

[Alfa02]

Welcome aboard Benz99 As you already know this site is a great place to land. Great people, vast knowledge. You'll get (From our members) this 'advice', please dance slowly at first with your Cobra, it's like nothing you have ever had before, short wheelbase/High horsepower will not let you make many mistakes, before it bites you We want you around for many SPM (Smiles per Miles) Enjoy & Cheers Tom.

[Benz99]

Yup definitely respecting the power to weight ratio alfa02. I had a 500 horse 69 chevelle but it was double the weight. Before I actually bought this one I watched several YouTube videos of people putting their Cobras into ditches leaving shows. I thought no way that’s going to me lol, make sure the wheels are pointing straight before hitting the go pedal.

[Tommy]

Welcome, and I'm sure you'll enjoy your new toy. . . I'd like to add one more call for taking time to learn the Cobra. They can bite in ways you likely have not considered. For example, rapidly reducing throttle on a big engine in a light car can lock up the rear wheels just like brakes. And that can lead to a spin. . . My point is that if you want to learn to drive your Cobra near the limits of its performance I urge you to do it at a track or on an autocross course. You'll learn the unique demands of your car and the limits of the driver in an environment less likely to harm you or others. It will also give you a keener sense of how potentially dangerous an old style race car with NO modern safety features (e.g., antilock brakes) can be. These cars are fun, but they are also dangerous when driven aggressively on public roads.

[DevilCrabMan]

Well put Tommy;

These short wheelbase, lightweight cobra's are a hand-full. The items you described I have experienced in my Cobra. I too recommend some seat time in this race car for the street driving and after 241,000 miles and over 32 years of experience I still loose control and spin around. After several hours of driving I get out and walk around plus I try to learn from others and their lessons. Tommy I can see that the next step for me is a Cheetah.

[1795]

Welcome aboard! People will be stopping you left and right to talk about your car. They also will try to get you to show it off too; avoid that at all costs, even if it a really cute girl

[twobjshelbys]

Just to say it again, the rear end can break loose at the drop of a hat and in maneuvers that you do in your daily driver all the time. Until you know your car the first rule is never accelerate unless you're going in a straight line. Avoid downshift acceleration (like you'd do to pass) the rear wheels can break lose. Never downshift without a rev matching blip (hard to do with the accelelerator/brake layout), in other words brakes=slow, accelerator=go. Cold tires on cold pavement are a deadly combination.

[patrickt]

Ehhhh, safety can be overrated. I have two tricks that I love to spring on first time passengers. The first is to use my quick release hub to pull the steering wheel off the steering column, while we're driving down the highway at speed, I then hold the wheel out as I turn to my passenger and scream. The second is to go in to a soft 60 degree turn, but when I'm about a third of the way through it, I stomp the accelerator down so the rear comes out and around, then I scream at the top of my lungs right before I catch it at the 360 degree mark and finish the turn. Both of these tricks never fail to get a priceless reaction out of the passenger. It's just part of the Cobra experience.

[FredG]

Best of luck with your new purchase. I hope it brings many enjoyable hours of driving. Have a little respect for what are driving. It won't be long before you have your first holychit moment.

Fred

[jhv48]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Ehhhh, safety can be overrated. I have two tricks that I love to spring on first time passengers. The first is to use my quick release hub to pull the steering wheel off the steering column, while we're driving down the highway at speed, I then hold the wheel out as I turn to my passenger and scream. The second is to go in to a soft 60 degree turn, but when I'm about a third of the way through it, I stomp the accelerator down so the rear comes out and around, then I scream at the top of my lungs right before I catch it at the 360 degree mark and finish the turn. Both of these tricks never fail to get a priceless reaction out of the passenger. It's just part of the Cobra experience.

What did you use to clean the urine and vomit off of the leather seats and carpet?

[Unique427]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Ehhhh, safety can be overrated. I have two tricks that I love to spring on first time passengers. The first is to use my quick release hub to pull the steering wheel off the steering column, while we're driving down the highway at speed, I then hold the wheel out as I turn to my passenger and scream. The second is to go in to a soft 60 degree turn, but when I'm about a third of the way through it, I stomp the accelerator down so the rear comes out and around, then I scream at the top of my lungs right before I catch it at the 360 degree mark and finish the turn. Both of these tricks never fail to get a priceless reaction out of the passenger. It's just part of the Cobra experience.

Patrick's post in picture form.

[1795]

I always wondered what Patrick looked like....

[PDUB]

and welcome to the madness! These voices of experience know the drill. The last thing you want is