Looking for a Cobra in CA...

[desubguy]

Hello, all.

I am very new to this site. My name is Michael and I'm looking for a Cobra. I have never owned one, but have been dreaming of this days for decades! I'm sure most of you can understand.

I've heard many rumors about getting the SB100 and am looking to put rumors to rest and get the truth.

Currently, it has been my intention to buy a used Cobra. Mainly to reduce the wait time and cost associated with getting a new one. I have put a ceiling on my new dream at $50K. My main problem is finding a car relatively local. If what I understand about the SB100 cert is correct, I would prefer to buy a CA car that already has the cert. Any help in understand this myth would be greatly appreciated. For example, do other states have the same SB100 cert?

Also, I only know of this site and CobraCountry as decent places to look for Cobras for sale. I have browsed many of these threads looking for new info and/or cars for sale that meet my criteria, but it has not been so easy. Does anyone have any info to help me along? Also, any way to learn about any shows, etc near Southern Ca?

Again, thanks to all!

desubguy

[stevem]

I have a Cobra for sale, it's a B&B kit Silver with black stripes, black interior with a 351/385 horse, 5 speed, 373 rear. Coil overs at all 4 sides and 4 wheeel disc brakes. Frame and all running gear are powder coated. Pictures in my gallery ( click on the camera symbol). Car is SB100 smog exempt for ever. Car has about 6500 miles and is quick and well sorted out.Asking $35,000. Car is in San Francisco area.

[flipper35]

Where is local for you? Near San Diego or LA?

[decooney]

desubguy,
If you can step up to $65K range, I know of a possible Superformance For Sale with a newer 500HP high $$$ aluminum Shelby motor. 85K+ invested by 1st/2nd owner. Engine was $25K alone, Tremec 5spd, lowered, with various front/rear supsension/shock upgrades, Race Fuel Cell, and functionally much better than a stock SPF. Polished 17" pin drives, Michelin Pilots, Titanium color, upgraded guages, full fire supression system, and SB100! Its a friends car who is considering selling it to build a race car next year but he's struggling parting with the car, but may be considering selling it now to pay for this other project he is seriously thinking about doing now. He passed on two unsolicited offers of 65k last year, but may sell it now. Super nice car; sounds wicked too. The problem with this friend is every time he says he wants to sell it, he changes his mind. Likes it too much. This time around I think he's going to sell it though if another serious offer comes through.

[Jim Barnett]

Send me a PM if you live in the San Diego area. I have a nice SB-100 LA Exotics that I seldom drive and my wife wants sold (definitely in your price range!).

[desubguy]

For those who have replied and helped me already, thanks! Did I mention I'm a computer moron? If not, sorry, but what is a PM and how do I send one?!?!

I live in San Diego. I cannot travel look for a car until mid November due due to my job. That's one reason why San Francisco is a bit far for me, but the car looks great! Do you have more pictures? I have heard of a few like what I'm looking for near LA, but haven't driven up there yet.

[ffrcobra_65]

I was exactly in your shoes not long ago. I wanted to buy one already registered in California but after visiting the DMV and reading many posts regarding SB100, it really is a very very simple process. It just takes being at the DMV on the first business day of the new year, a trip to CHP for VIN assignment, trip to a BAR ref to get the smog excempt sticker, and maybe a brake and light inspection, that is it! I also had the same $50K budget and after looking at many used Cobras, the only ones I would recommend in order would be.
1. FFR - you can go to any parts store if you ever need replacement parts. You can also take it to your local Ford dealer for service if u want to. Technical support if the best. Just go to FFRog and the guys there help trouble shoot any problems u might encounter.
2. Superformance- you get what you pay for ....big bucks! All u need is an engine and tranny and you are good to go. Parts and support do not compare to FFR however. But it is endorsed by Shelby and they are nice quality replicas!
3. Backdraft Racing - nice examples and uses BMW parts. Cost would be similar to a FFR.

No offense to a lot of guys here....I saw a lot of used cobras of other makes: Shell Valley, Classic Roadsters, B&B (LA Exotics), etc etc. In my experience, I was not impressed with the condition and craftmanship and the overall quality and appearance.
$30K or 40K or 50K is a big chunk of money to pay for a California title when it is not that hard to get. No matter what you hear here, you will not find one who failed to get a SB100 when they took the time to get to DMV in the first business day of every new year since its inception, NO ONE! There was one who missed out because the DMV he went to did not know the process and gave him poor guidance.
If u are decided on buying a used one, take your time and really look at them over, inside out, up and down. These cars are driven hard so make sure to take that into account, too.
So, what did I end up doing? I took the next easy route....I paid a pro to build a FFR for me.
Check out Gordon Levy Racing...he has built many FFRs for Cali guys.

[mrmustang]

desubguy,

As ffrcobra_65 has pointed out, both SB100 or using a vintage drivetrain for emissions and to register a cobra is really an easy item (provided you get up early enough for the SB100 number on January 3rd) if you follow the rules as set for by the California Bar/DMV. At the top of the Cobras for sale section there is a sticky post titled "How to buy a used cobra", I suggest a good read through of that and then going from there. Most of all, enjoy the hunt, as I find that to be half the fun.


Yours In Fords,

Bill S.

[decooney]

desubguy,
As others have suggested in different ways here... Yes - doing your homework is the key whether you build your own or buy a new or used Cobra replica.

Not to rain on the parade, but there is no guarantee at getting an SB100 number. The ones that got them last year will tell you it was relatively easy. For those who did not get one, they were not happy and waiting in the queue for next year again, and there were more than a few. The key is making sure your local office knows the procedure and they are ready, and yes, getting their early. This last go-around at DMV for 2006, by 11:45a.m., the queue of requests from each site had caught up with processing numbers at headquarters and all 500 were gone and allocated to all the lucky ones.

CAUTION / All:
And, if you show up to DMV on January 3rd in 2007 as suggested by others here (I've seen it stated more than a few times on Clubcobra lately), its possible won't get a number for sure. Last year, Sunday was a holiday and DMV considers the next day a holiday if the Jan 1 holiday falls on a Sunday. In '07, the Jan 1st holiday falls on a Monday, so its possible they will open on Tuesday Jan 2nd at 8a.m; NOT January 3rd.

If you buy a new kit to build or a used car and need that SB100# in 2007...

1) Get that MSO or title before Dec 31st 2006, in your hands!
2) Check those dates and be sure to show up at DMV on the right day!

Good Luck.

[Rich A]

Desubguy,
Check with the CA DMV and see if you can purchase a Cobra from out of state that is already registered/titled and see if you don't have to go thru the SB100.

[thudmaster]

You can actually buy a cobra that is licensed in another state that is a former california sb 100 car. The sb 100 would still be valid. As for putting yor hopes on being at the dmv on "the day". Sh-t happens; flu, baby sick wife out of town who knows but I would not count on it as being an easy thing to do. Good luck and good hunting.

[STG]

Boy, am I glad I moved to Cody, Wyoming. Cars are registered in each county. To register a car, you must have it inspected.

1. Call Park County Sheriff's Office.

2. Make appointment.

3. If you can't get to the Law Enforcement Center, a Deputy will come to your location.

4. The Deputy verifies the VIN on your car and signs the form.

5. Take the form to the courthouse and pay for your registration.

6. If the courthouse is really crowded, the registration process may take 15 minutes.

7. People up here have never heard of a brake, light, safety or smog inspection.

Park County uses the NADA price guide to determine registration fees. Since my friend's Swiss Army Unimog and Pinzgauer aren't listed, they are registered as 1965 Jeeps.

[xlr8or]

If you want to raise the ceiling a bit you can come look at mine here in San Diego. See my signature line for a link.


Scott

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by thudmaster

You can actually buy a cobra that is licensed in another state that is a former california sb 100 car. The sb 100 would still be valid. As for putting yor hopes on being at the dmv on "the day". Sh-t happens; flu, baby sick wife out of town who knows but I would not count on it as being an easy thing to do. Good luck and good hunting.

Incorrect, if a former SB100 car gets titled out of state, then the SB100 number is voided. if you bring said car back in to the state of California it is just like any other out of state vehicle in the eyes of the CA DMV.

Bill S.

[Excaliber]

Bill what year block is that 428 in your ERA? Any reason why a guy couldn't just do the smog thing every two years and avoid the SB100?

EDIT: MrMustangs ERA has a 427 not a 428, my bad.

[Fred Z]

PM is a private message.......which you can do by clicking on the person's 'handle'..ie; mrmustang, yours is desubguy.....and it gives you options to message, email , etc.
you will get more info here than you will know......they are all good guys, helpful, opinionated for sure, but will set you in the right direction.....I have owned a car that had sb100 and I found issues, but did not do the homework I should have......am now about a week or so away from a new build from my professional friend, and it is a top class version of a FFR. In any case, do the homework, be patient, and you can't go wrong! some of the cars here are really cared for, so, take a look.

HTH.......(hope that helps)
fred z

[Igofastr]

[quote=desubguy]For those who have replied and helped me already, thanks! Did I mention I'm a computer moron? If not, sorry, but what is a PM and how do I send one?!?![quote]

Well, I can't say for sure if you're a moron or not, but you're not the only one who didn't know what a PM was. "PM" is a private message, and you can check to see if you got any by pushing on the "User CP" tab at the top of this window. These messages are only able to be seen by you, and not other members of CC. You can send a PM to anyone you like by either answering their message when you check yours, or you can initiate the process by clicking on a person's name and highlighting the correct option.

Hope thats not too confusing.

Now, if you'd ask MY wife, she'd say you were a moron for simply suggesting that you'd like to buy a Cobra .

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by Excaliber

Bill what year block is that 428 in your ERA? Any reason why a guy couldn't just do the smog thing every two years and avoid the SB100?

You mean the 427 side oiler, it's a 1965 C5AE block casting I believe with both oil gallery plugs front and rear . Again, there are other legal ways around the SB100 issue you just have to do your homework and actually call the CA DMV.

[round_midnight]

desubguy--you have a PM (private message).

[jdog]

Originally Posted by Excaliber

Bill what year block is that 428 in your ERA? Any reason why a guy couldn't just do the smog thing every two years and avoid the SB100?

You'll need an "original" 65 carb/cam to pass as a 1965 block. Not quite so easy.

Pay no attention to what decooney said about Jan 2nd, everybody should just show up on the 3rd anyway, to teach them a lesson!

jdog
P.S. See you in line at DMV!