Wanting to Trade for a Superior FIA Replica

[marcocsx3121]

I'm offering a one of a kind C5 ' Vette, and before the sneering starts, hear me out. First of all, I have unimpeachable Cobra credentials, having owned CSX 3121 from 1969 through 1975 (check the SAAC Registry). After going through several other performance cars (Ferrari, Porsche 930, Pantera) I somehow ended up with a (gasp!) Corvette. $40,000 worth of mods later, it is a car that combines air/cruise control/CD sound with 528 rear wheel horsepower (dyno sheet is available) and 25 MPG on the road. It is considerably quicker than either my Cobra, which had a Holman & Moody blueprinted 427 or my 930 which was modded to make 540 HP on an engine dyno.

Today, as I rapidly approach my 65th birthday, I have come to realize that my life has been a living hell since I sold the Cobra, and that the "Vette is too civilized, complicated, and computerized to allow me to bond with it as I did with CSX3121. So I need another Cobra, can't begin to afford a real one (my old car sold again in 1989 for $395,000, and was offered in Hemmings in 2000 for $325,000), and would like an FIA car with a 351 or 351 stroker motor. This will eventually be replaced with a 427 inch Windsor, which should provide adequate power for me to scare the hell out of myself.

Email me at marco381@hotmail.com if you're interested, or just want to chat.

[southernfriedcj]

Marco, why an FIA car if you eventually want a big block? Under the "none of my d@mn business banner", how much did 3121 cost you in '69, and how much did she bring in '75?
Let me know if your ever down Athens way and I'll show you my KMP Hybrid(427 frame and suspension, 289 aluminum body).

Jim

[southernfriedcj]

Marco, click on the camera icon next to my name for a few pics of the car.

[marcocsx3121]

I don't want a big block: my dream engine for the FIA is a 427 inch 351 Windsor stroker. Less weight, more power with the available aftermarket heads, plus it would be in the lineage of the original 289.

I bought CSX 3121 in November 1969 for $6250, which was about a grand more than a new 427 'Vette at the time. It was an impulse purchase following an unpleasant divorce (are there any pleasant ones?), and the car needed both mechanical and cosmetic work. If I had shopped around, I could have found an essentially perfect 427 for that amount of money. In any case, my new wife and I restored the car and we had a lot fun with it for a few years. In another impulsive move, we sold it in September 1975 for $23000, having reasoned that Cobra prices could not possibly go any higher. Bottom line: don't take any of my investment advice. Soon after we sold the car, it was featured in a number of publications, including Automobile Quarterly.

[marcocsx3121]

By the way, I like your car. Why don't you make an old man happy and do a deal. My 'Vette is really fantastic.

[LwCwb]

Hello marcocsx3121, great to have you on the forum. Used Superformance Cobras usully have 351's in the hole, but they are replicas of the S/C version Cobras. There are usually a lot of Cobras for sale, and some for trade, on Cobra country and in the for sale section of this website. Also, Unique motorcars have a 289 FIA car in kit and turnkey form, I think they have rebuilt 302's and are just a shy above $44,000. Maybe you could sell the Corvette, although you most likely get what your asking, and finance the rest to get a turnkey car build to your specifications. The market for used for Cobras is really good right now, so you might find what your looking for. Let us know how you do, I am interested to hear what you find.

[southernfriedcj]

Marco, great story on 3121. Re: 427 small block, now I get it.
That's a nice Vette. I've had a C3 and a C4, my next Vette will be a C1, or a C2. Let me know if you are ever down this way.

Jim

[LwCwb]

For Sale: Unique 289 FIA