As I've said before, this is an outstanding car. I stood by on Lake Street in Elkhart Lake, in the midst of a race car concours full of rare Ferraris, Porsches, and real Cobras, and heard grown men arguing not about whether this car was a replica or not, but whether it was an original FIA or simply a street CSX2000-series that had been modified to look like an FIA. My three-year-old is going to be crushed as the first picture taken of her in a Cobra was in this car. Ever since, she asks me when we're going to paint ours red...

Thanks Guys for all the kind words. The car is now tucked away safe and sound away from the cold Wisconsin snow, but I have to wonder what is the reason for the lack of response. 289? Location of the car? Limited exposure (Club Cobra only)?

Jeff,

I think that the market is limited for the 289 models. Everybody wants a 427 S/C. After they get tired of that, then they may go looking for a 289.

Location location location!!!
 

Jeff, I think your car looks great. I am shopping the market looking for a deal like many others I am sure. My opinion goes like this on the stale market. I own a Tattoo Studio and have been in the business for 21 years. People do not Need Tattoos, They Want them. When the Economy gets funny like it has, People start to just get the things they Need! Competition has increased in my Field immensely. When I first opened my studio 18 years ago, There were only 2 other studios in all of Philadelphia. Today there are over 65 Shops operating Legally and an estimated 350 underground scratchers just trying to Tattoo. The more I look into different Replica Mfgrs., The more I am blown away at the number of People making these cars. Thus at some point The market becomes Flooded with Cars that are not Practical for every day use and cost as much as a Mercedes that is practical. Harleys are hitting the same problem. Market loaded with $25,000 dollar bikes selling for $15,000. Why?? Again, Flooded Market, People lose interest or priorities change, And it is a lot of money sitting in the garage waiting for Sunday. In your favor is the fact that you have built 7 cars which gives you great credibility. And I can see it looks very nice. Also I think the Small block thing might have something to do with it. Mid lifers looking for a bigger penis?? who knows. I personally have been looking at the FIA cars and am gtiving them great thought. 2 years ago I got a BF Goodrich poster, hung it in my Garage and thought, WOW, Nice original COBRA 427!! Last week I looked at the Poster and noticed It had Lug nuts, Roll Bar went Forward, and it is not a Real COBRA! But it looks NICE!! I would have never known had I not started researching These cars extensively on this site. Enough Rambling. Have a Great week!

Specialk,

I was just the opposite. All I wanted was the 289FIA... Fifteen Cobras show up for a cruise and only one of them is an FIA model... I like those odds..

Jeff,

The market is soft and it's the wrong time of year up north..
Come spring I'm sure things will pick up... A great looking car and I can vouch for the quality of the Uniques...

DaltonDavid,

That poster features the 289 FIA and it's a Unique.....A beautiful car....

BF GOODRICH POSTER
 

Funny, I ordered a poster for my neighbors husband. it was supposed to be a 70 Chevelle. I gave her the tube when it arrived and she opened it and here was the Cobra! I told her I would take that and re ordered the Chevelle which came in time for his B-day. I have the Blue GT 350 (Replica as well I am sure) poster on one wall that My Shelby is parked on and I am looking for the Cobra to park on the COBRA side. That RED FIA sure looks nice. Gonna have to investigate this "Unique" company.:LOL:

BOTTOM LINE...

Unique has been around since 1977. They have a tried and true car that is second to none when it comes to quality and durability. Visit their web site at:

www.uniquemotorcars.com

Jeff

PS. The Viking Blue #11 car which is featured on Unique's web site was also built by us.

:) Car looks great. I believe you had something to do with my car which I bought from Dan Hampton in December 2000 who shipped the car to the Weavers at Unique Motorcars in Gadsden, Alabama. The market is still pretty good down here, in fact I have a friend who recently visited Unique looking for a car. He might be interested. I have Unique #9289, 64 FIA, Viking Blue, Yellow Nose Stripe, 302, 4-spd top-loader. I changed the jack pads to polished stainless steel and added static cling vintage decals. Car looks great and has been a pleasuer to own and drive. It draws lots of attention. I'll send you a recent picture vis e-mail.

Jeff,
Is that car still for sale? If not, do you fellows have any other completed cars? I remember when the blue one was up for sale, years ago, and it is a beautiful car.
Ron

The car is still for sale.

Ron - Give me a call at 715-878-4055 or 715-577-9478, if you are interested or would like some more information on it.

dmswann - We did build the Viking Blue car you have some time ago. I always like the Viking blue/Yellow nose stripe combination. Hope everything has been working out for you and you have been enjoying it.

Merry Christmas to all!!

Jeff

Jeff - the more I look at your car, the more I am thinking about red for mine - instead of silver.

I think I read easrlier in the thread your color was "Ford Bright Red". Is this an accurate copy of the red on the 289 poster car of Tom Payne's FIA CSX 2430?

Thanks Bruce

Bruce -

It is hard to beat a red car. This is the second Ford Bright Red cobra I have owned.

The color is very close to the original red used in the 60's. I ran into a guy at one of Unique's Cobrafest events some years ago when I had my previous red FIA and he painted his car in a 1964 factory Ford red color. The reds were identical. I've notice that Ford reuse alot of their colors through the years and just chances the names. Currently I believe Ford is calling the red that my car was painted "Vermillion Red".

Good Luck with your build!

Jeff

What is wrong with some guys,
Here's a beautiful FIA car, obviously built with great attention to detail,yet some are waiting on delivery for their FIA that is going to cost a lot more than this car and is not gonna be any better.
Are these guys just buying a name for 10-15k more?
Wake up you guys here's a great deal staring you in the face and you ain't paying attention.

Good luck Jeff.

Cranky (as usual)

Hmmm...something "wrong with some guys?" Well, being as I am the guy with a script that says I have an ERA FIA car on order, I can only assume, Cranky, you are referring to me as "the guy who needs to wake up", and recognize a great deal when "it is staring me in the face", and "just buying a name for $10-15k more".

For what it's worth.... I can assure you I thoroughly investigated both Unique and ERA before making my decision - lots of spread sheets and analysis have convinced me it will not run me $10-15k more than the very reasonable asking price of Jeffs car - I am not ordering a turn-key ERA, but rather as basic a kit (no bonded body, not assembled) as they will sell - I guess some day you will see my car - and you can then judge for yourself if it turns out to be a quality build - with great attention to detail.

I have nothing but the highest respect for Unique - in fact I have recommended them to other prospective buyers in earlier threads. I also belive Jeff's car appears to be as nice as they come - although I have not seen it in person.

However.....Jeff's car is not for me. Quite simply, the process of the build is what my car will be all about. I successfully raced cars for many years, I did a ground up Tiger restoration that was featured in a magazine, and now, it is time to create, with my 13 year old son, our ultimate car....in other words - the end product is not as important as the journey of the build. Picking up some sweat equity along the way will also be a nice by-product.

Teaching my boy how to overcome all the obstacles - moving a motor, using a rivet gun, turning a wrench, using a torque wrench, renting a hoist, sanding a body, sourcing a part, etc, etc, etc, - that's what I will enjoy most - none of that is available with Jeff's car. Sharing the build with some of my sons friends in the neighborhood will also bring some nice memories, I believe.

And oh, by the way, it also does seem to me my completed ERA may be worth more than a heads-up directly comparable Unique - not my wishful thinking, and definitely not a knock on Unique, but, the word of the experience of the marketplace - at least what I've seen so far.

So, Cranky, from a guy who does know what's staring him in the face, I hope I have explained what's "wrong" with some guys....

Yours in Cobras...Bruce;)

289 FIA
 

@Jeff

Apology for my bad English. I come out of Switzerland and live in Spain.

First my compliment for the pretty 289er. I would have possibly interest in the vehicle. For that I would be happy if I could described get another photos little better and an exact technical sheet. Perhaps photos during the car constructed became.

How many horsepower and torque have the engine?

I thank myself in advance for your aid.

Best regards
Ralph

Ralph,

I know of a Cobra for sale in Spain, it already has the registration. send me an e-mail.

Allan

Ralph -

Send me an e-mail with your e-mail address and I would be happy to send you additional pictures and a more detailed spec sheet.

My e-mail address is: Jeffkarnitz@MSN.com

Thanks,
Jeff

PS. Horsepower and torque is right around 500 each.

How about this one?
http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/s...cat=500&page=2
http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/s...cat=500&page=7
http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/s...cat=500&page=7
http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/s...cat=500&page=8

Rick

The car is still for sale. Drop me an e-mail at Jeffkarnitz@msn.com or call me at 715-878-4055 evenings and weekends or 715-577-9478 days.

Thanks,
Jeff