Need some advice on manufacturers

[IndyRN]

Hi everyone,

I'm a new member and have always been a fan of the cobra. I am looking to purchase my first cobra in the near future and would like any advice or commentary on a couple of manufacturers I am looking at. So far, I have been looking at a Backdraft or Lone Star as possible options. I am 6' 4" and need a cobra with a enough space for me to fit. I don't know much about the other manufacturers out there, so any advice on them as well would be appreciated. I don't plan on racing, and just want a car for cruising around town on nice sunny days. Oh... and for smoking all those guys with mustang's, camaro's and challenger's out there who think they can take me at the stop light

[Ron61]

Indy,

Welcome to the club. And you will get all kinds of advise. As for a list of manufacturers, contact Warren, (WTM442). He has a map with all of the manufacturer's he can locate listed on it but I can never find it. The Backdraft is a great car from what I have heard, but I have no personal experience with them except to ride in one. As for your size, there are any number of makes that will custom fit the car for you.

Ron

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by IndyRN

I am 6' 4" and need a cobra with a enough space for me to fit.

We have plenty of tall drivers and you won't have any problem (btw, I'm 6'4" as well). BUT, you need to know where your height is, meaning the length of your torso, foot to knee, knee to waist, etc. as it will make a difference how your seat, pedals, and steering wheel are configured. Your (our) height is easily doable by most, if not all, of the major manufacturers out there, and you want to tackle the issue up-front. Nothing looks stupider, IMO, than somebody "riding on top" of their Cobra.

[951mat]

Some of the best advise I could give you is to come to the RunNgun event in St. Louis in October. There will be cobras there from almost every manufacturer. I know there will be B&Bs, ERAs, Backdrafts, Shell Valley, Kirkhams, FFR, EM and probably more. I have a Lonestar and love it. I'm 6-3 and need to scoot my seat up. You can learn a ton from the people there about cobras in general and you'd have a chance to sit in all of them. I doubt there will be anyone there that won't let you try their car on for size.
RunNgun.net is the site. Check it out.



Mat

[1985 CCX]

Warren, (WTM442) is either 6'3" or 6'4" himself. He can surely help with SPF size restrictions.

[Juggernaut]

IndyRN,

Welcome to the forum, you've come to the right place to find out anything about Cobra's!

All good advice given, so happy hunting!

[Clois Harlan]

Mat is correct put Run n Gun on your calendar October 8-11, 2008 at Gateway International Raceway in St. Louis. Not much of a drive for you if you have the time. Great chance to compare and take a test ride by most of the manufacturers in the business. Check out our web site and forum. If you plan on coming we have a special discount rate at the Casino Queen Hotel of $75 per night that includes a full all you can eat breakfast. Just mention Run N Gun to get the rate. http://www.runngun.net

Clois

[IndyRN]

Thanks everyone for the responses....It looks like the event in St. Louis would be a great chance for me to get a little hands on comparison of all the different manufactures out there. I love this site already....as I have already learned something new about these cars that I didn't know before. That being that most manufacturers can custom fit a car to your body. I know that the backdraft that I test drove last year made me feel like I was sitting way above the car...Felt kind of stupid, but it was still more fun than I've in a long time behind the wheel of a car. Look forward to learning more and having a great time looking at all of you cobras while I wait to get mine!

[ddcobra]

I invite you to sit in my car at the Run n Gun with my 4 '' drop floor more room for the driver!
IM 6.2'' 265lbs
Don,

[ENTDOC]

you might consider Hunter cobra out of florida. He makes a 6 inch stretch model that still looks good. I built a standard size one befor I got my Kirkham. the car really handled well and was solid as a rock.

[wtm442]

Originally Posted by 1985 CCX

Warren, (WTM442) is either 6'3" or 6'4" himself. He can surely help with SPF size restrictions.

Jeff
Six foot six.
Here is article that I wrote about modification to my SPF to get additional room.

http://clubcobra.com/forums/showthre...919#post783919

There are tons of manufacturers. Most use the standard 90 inch wheelbase. Some manufacturers custom build each of their Cobra to better fit the driver. There are also about 10 manufacturers that make longer than 90" wheelbase Cobras.

Here is link to my Manufacturers list. Good Luck and welcome to the madness. Its a disease that thankfully has no cure.

List of Manufacturers

[madmaxx]

I suggest buying what you want the first time, in other words get the high hp engine etc, it cost to much to change later. My brother is 6'5". Surprisingly he felt a little better in my SPF than in my BDR even though the SPF has the 90" wheelbase as compared to the 92" in the bdr. I see you are in Indiana? if so take a day trip to Dynamic Motosports and speak with Shane Miller, after you leave you will have all the facts on Superformance. I also think there is a BDR dealer close. I here great things about both but I can attest to Dynamics customer service (Shane Miller) since I purchased from them, he is very professional and responds within hours if not minutes.

[madmaxx]

Sorry Dynamic is in Cincinatti, Ohio.

[vettestr]

Hey Indy,
I think attending Run n Gun is great advice and gives you a chance to get the feel of many cars and set ups. I will mail you information on the Cobray-C3 if you email me your address. We build a Hot Rod version of the Cobra that is a little longer and wider than the original and am sure we have the largest cockpit. One of our owners was a ball player that tilts the scale at about 310 pounds and is 6' 8" and he fits without modification or compromises. Warrens list of Manufacturers with specs is also a great source but hard to beat seeing cars first hand and you get to talk with the owners too.
Welcome to the sanity or insanity whatever works best. jeff c

[IndyRN]

Thanks for all the responses. Looks like I will have loads of options to drool...errr, look over. I have already been working on the wife to take a mini vacation to St. Louis in October. If I am able to make it, I'll take you up on your offer ddcobra. Which cobra do you own? Hope to see some of you at Run & Gun.

[IndyRN]

Sorry Don....After looking around the forum, I realized that you build your own cars From what I could tell, they look really nice...may be a little out of my price range though. I would still love to have a look at Run n Gun.