Sorting Out Used Cobra's

[misfit41]

Sounds you got a good car Vegan,,,at a good price,,enjoy,
It suprises me that some are quick to under rate a home built car,I agree LOTS of them are questionable,but in my opinion a well assembled home build ,is superior to a factory or assembly line build ,at least when myself or one of my friends do it,,
these cars are basicly short track race cars with cool bodies,I am sure a novice may have a tough time on his first project,but my time working and hanging around race car and street rod shops has enlightened me to workmanship and quality second to none,the finest of EVERYTHING in the world have been built by hand,one piece at a time,,most assembled cars are just production work based on someone elses hand build prototype.
my thoughts,,thanks

[Excaliber]

Oh!!!! You mean it was "that" car???? The one where the rod went through the block and the engine had to be rebuilt? Ha ha!!!

What a deal man! You stole that ERA!

Ernie

[SCOBRAC]

I had a similar question 690 or so posts ago.. I know about machines, past and present but I knew nothing about a really cool car I found buried beneath 5 years of neglect, no smog check, missing title and a looming crack induced home reposession about to claim not just the home but the car buried under years of trash in the garage. Really.. (photo in my gallery)

I had essentially 48 hours to make a decision.. Not enough time to know the in's and outs of brands, why FE's are cooler than 385's and why FIA's are cool at all with only a 289.. It turned out I actually used my ignorance for big benefits. Comparing ERA's and Contemporary's to other makes will do that. Hopefully you have more time than I did when it happens.. But let it happen. Be one with the Cobwa Gwasshoppa..

Above all else know time is money. The more time something looks like it has in it, the more it costs. Finished edges, painted, powder coated frames hand welded, boxed and finished are expensive. Hand polished anything is big money.. Original big blocks, toploaders IRS suspensions, ported and polished intake manifolds are too.. Don't let a chronic misfire, an engine that won't run or a missing title scare you (it should.. just don't let it)

The time is right to make a really good buy. It won't always be like this...

[SCOBRAC]

Physiology.. Chi.. Call it what you want.. I bought that $33k car (didn't pay 33k for it though).. I replaced the 428 with a Louie Unser 427 SO. Put on a set of PSE 9.5 and 11" pin drives and still have less than 33k into it.. Turns out it was built by the same guy doing Boyd Coddingtons Cobra's today.. Who knew..

[misfit41]

I agree with you,,my business is buying and selling,the bargains are usually disguised under questions,if they were top shelf,the seller would have already sold for top money,sometimes you lose,but if your smart,,you win more,guys like me take chances,then detail ,repair ,and make a living off those who are unwilling to .
This is why I own a Shell Car,which I am respecting more and more,my car was listed on ebay with a very poor pic,and a very poor description,the owner wasnt a salesman, but a straight forward kind of guy,not big on personality,I was motivated enough to explore.
Mine is a 95 with a fresh{500mi}John Chiaoccy 427 SO,forged crank,no sleeves or breaks,new dove high rise heads and 2,4 intake,new c5ae holleys,,balanced and blueprinted,I got the receipts for the motor,counting the mcleoud clutch and aluminum flywheel,,over 16000.00,also 2 yr old top loader,9 inch ford with salisbury 4 link,
I got new torque thrust with new hoosier comp td's,as well as compomotive's with eagles {for sale}
the car was a bit nicked up from laps at watkins glen,chrome faded,but very solid,,and astectically correct,I expect after the paint is done,new pin drives,tubular front end, smiths guages,proper seats,and selling take off parts and wheels,I should be in at 28k or less.
I know its not a csx,but I paid for it in 100's and its in my garage, I am happy with it, just feeling giddy this am,,,Tk

[vegan2]

Originally posted by misfit41


Sounds you got a good car Vegan,,,at a good price,,enjoy,
It suprises me that some are quick to under rate a home built car,I agree LOTS of them are questionable,but in my opinion a well assembled home build ,is superior to a factory or assembly line build ,at least when myself or one of my friends do it,,

The interesting thing about my ERA is that it was a complete turn key from ERA, built in 1987.

[Pete C]

Vegan, Enjoy!

I got a similar deal on my ERA and I have enjoyed every moment of ownership. The car has brought me pleasure far in excess of the monetary cost. I have a very early car (ERA EXP 004) built in the late 70's or early 80's and it has been virtually trouble free. The only major work that I've had to do is an engine rebuild but that was an expected result of a few years of open track.


Cheers, Pete C

[vegan2]

Originally posted by Pete C
Vegan, Enjoy!
I got a similar deal on my ERA and I have enjoyed every moment of ownership. The car has brought me pleasure far in excess of the monetary cost. I have a very early car (ERA EXP 004) built in the late 70's or early 80's and it has been virtually trouble free. The only major work that I've had to do is an engine rebuild but that was an expected result of a few years of open track.
Cheers, Pete C

That's good to hear. I'm looking forward to the experience, especially based on the fact that I've re-located from LA to Kingman, AZ - Route 66, etc. There are around 40,000 people in this town, but no Cobra's, until now. Of course, several visitors drive Cobra's, like during the Route 66 Fun Run, etc.