Looking to buy a Cobra

[MOAllen]

Hello All,
I am new on the site and have been reading it for a while. I am going to buy a cobra but not sure what I want. I want it to look good enough to put in local car shows, but not run hot and be dependable. 400- 500 horse power and not lot of money, (dreaming huh) What do you guys who know these cars think, I want to be able to drive it around but would haul it in a inclosed trailer. Thanks Allen

[Nuke427]

MOAllen, I see you're from JC. I'm in Mokane, MO, and I'd be happy to give you a sping, and tell you about a previous FFR I owned. Which may be inline with what you're wanting to spend. NOT that FFR's are cheap, but some are basic builds and can be had relatively cheap, and will have dependable horsepower.

[tfarhood]

First you need to define what "a lot of money" is. Second you need to define if you want 400 hp at the crank on an engine dyno or if you want 400 hp where the rubber meets the road. 400 hp at the crank is quite affordable, 400 - 500 hp at the rear wheels is much harder to do without deep pockets. Another thing is regarding local car shows. If authentic appearence of an original is important for the showability of the car, then money will again be a factor. If you just want the coolest car at a local show, that is a lot easier. If you give us a little more info about what you really want, then you will get better replies in regard to specific brands and details.

[Dennis Kelley]

hey Moallen,

This is what I did. Start hanging out at machine shops that build racing engines and you will be surprised at the deals they will have. Build the engine first and dyno test it. Then when you have the powertrain done go shopping for a car to put it in. I had just as much fun finding the parts and combo that I wanted that I'm having two other engines built. some people think I'm sick but the engine is the most fun. START there. 400hp small block 302 is easy 351 windsor sroker 500hp just makes me excited.

[MOAllen]

Thanks everyone,
I see this is going to be a very helpful site. I was alittle vague I can spend around 30,000.00 That might not get me much but I do want afast car and yes a cool car. Nuke thanks you are very close and I would love to talk to you about the cars. I have in the past bought something(well alot of things) and then found out I should have studied up on it and did not get want I wanted.There are alot of cars out there. Is it better to have independent rear end ? What to what out for like what setup runs hot, It looks like some engine compartments are different with different radiator setups. Alot to understand. Allen

[Nuke427]

Allen, myself and another buddy from Fulton have been through 5 cars between us, 7 different powerplants, and 3 different manufacturers. We've seen and tested much, and are still figuring out what suites us best. My buddy likes low end torque, and I like high rpm horsepower. Get in touch with me and we'll go through some details, like the must haves, and the don't waste your money on. By the way, IRS is a must.
Forgot to mention, I have a 306 longblock engine sitting on the engine stand with just under 400 hp. Fresh, Now all you need is a roller!

[MOAllen]

Nuke,
Great to hear, I might go to the car show in holts summit sat, are you going? I have three motorcycles (one OCC custom) I might bring. My number is 573 257 1893 Allen
Oh here is my driving force in life my family

[Nuke427]

Allen, won't make it to the show Sat. My boys birthday party is Saturday (6). I may be out tomorrow during the day running errands in Jeff. If this rain stops, I'll be in the Cobra. Do you work in town? I could stop by.
Would also love to see your bikes sometime. That could be a new project for me and I know Rogers (other Cobra owner) has been talking about them for some time now.

[MOAllen]

Nuke,
I have to go to the lake tomorrow to pick up my boat and should be back about 11:30. I also have to pick up my custom bike I am having the oil changed and a few ajustments done.
I don't work so I am around about anytime (son's ball game) tomorrow afternoon at 4:00. I hope to see your car soon, I saw one a few years ago It was blue and I saw one in town last week can't remember the color. Take care and enjoy your son. Allen

[relaxinrob]

Allen,
My dad is interested in selling his Cobra. It is very nice and very fast. I have taken it to 135 myself and decided that was far enough. Have a look at it at:

http://www.rehobothproperties.com/cobra/index.html

Rob

[MOAllen]

Rob,
That is a very nice looking car, I need to know more info about it ie rear end and so forth. Allen

[MOAllen]

Hello,
Still looking for that SPF and have it down to abut 4 cars.I hope to close a deal next week. Allen

[John Poling]

Good Morning Allen,

I have been following your thread here for some time now and thought you had originally said you needed it to be a manual transmissioned car. Now I don't see that and noticed one above that is listed as an auto. Are you interested in an auto equipped car? If so, let me know, I still have mine for sale but the listing that is left is from the July timeframe as the newer one I posted was deleted last week. Any way, here is the link to the add here on CC FOR SALE Antiques and Collectibles Cobra Replica . sorry for the long windedness of this add, that is why I reposted the add that was deleted, it was less windy.

If you are interested or want more information, let me know.

Thank you.
John

[MOAllen]

Thanks John,
I am going to try to get a superformance. Your car is beautiful, It should sell. Allen

[Bradtvi]

I have a 67 427 with a chevy 454 which would give you all the power you want with reliablility and ease of service. Tha car was hand built in Meridian ,MS in the early '90s by a mechanic that has more than 30 years in the area. The car has ~30,000 miles on it. I am interested in selling in the $40,000 range but I am accepting offers. If you would like to see pic's please email me @ Bradtvi@aol.com.

[MOAllen]

I still have not found the cobra I want and this leads me to ask If you have a choice (Viper or a Cobra)?
Pro's and con's to both. Allen

[MOAllen]

Going with the Viper,
Well after making 8 calls to TN on a SPF and having to make two trips there (one to look and the other to pick up) a Spf I think i will go with a Viper. I have been stung a few times on the net on cars and boats. I usualy go right and put my cash down, but this time I am much more careful. The guy I was going to buy from in Tn got rude and said he was tired of dealing with me(his loss) so it is viper time. Thanks to everyone for the helpful information. Allen

[Jack21]

Mo, I think you're making a mistake for a number of reasons. First, you can buy 2 Cobras for 1 Viper. Second, the Cobra is an American Icon, the Viper isn't. You can own a Cobra for years, leave it to your kids, or sell it and get your money back. You can't say that about a Viper. And a Cobra is a lot more of a ball to drive.

If you got jerked around by an SPF dealer, talk to Olthoff Racing in N.C. Somebody here should have their phone #. They'll treat you right.

I tend to like the Creature comforts of a Classic Roadsters. Below is a thread called Undecided by Don Scott. Don is the Owner/President of Classic Roadsters, and has on of his Customers cars set up for a big block. See what he has to say.

Oh, Factory service? Yes, your Viper is a Mopar, and any Mopar dealer will service it. But a Cobra is a Ford, with all Ford parts. Take your Cobra to any Ford dealership and the service techs will fight over which one will work on your car.

Lastly, we're not nameless, faceless people behind a computer screen. We're an older, professional bunch that like fast cars. You'll find this out for yourself at local and national events.

It's your money.

[Ted Clegg]

Allen, re think, just cause one guy jerked you around, don't make a knee jerk deceision. Vipers are great, I have a SRT 10, but nothing compares to a legend like the cobra, I had one in the 90s
and HAD to sell, its the only vehicle I have owned and new I had to replace, finally I am and my SPF arrives in December.
RETHINK my friend.

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2 old 2 soon, 2 smart 2 late

[HI Cobra]

Jack21

You forgot to include the thread to DScott.