It's home!

excelguru · #1 (**permalink**) 08-16-2002, 09:28 AM

I got up early yesterday morning and hit the road for McDonough. I towed the rolling chassis on an open trailer with an F-350 Dually Powerstroke Diesel (one DAMN FINE truck). The trip to GA went completely without incident and no rain. A few drivers were interested in my cargo and one person in particular paced me for severeal miles before finally passing with a big thumbs-up and a smile. I stopped at a Burger King along the way and drew a small crowd of men who were interested in what I was building.

I arrived at Southern Automotive near lunch and left the rig there. Susan suggested I borrow their van & trailer to bring the body over from Bruce's. That way, some of the SA guys could help me set the body onto the chassis (a relatively fast and straight-forward process). So, I drove their van and trailer over to Bruce's shop to get the car. The car looked fantastic! Man, he did a beautiful job. It was a Kodak moment. The red looked terric out in the sun and I was quite happy about my decision to not have stripes (makes the car appear wider). Bruce did a great job and he is truly a fine gentleman to do business with. Bruce and others helped me to remount the hood, trunk lid, and doors for the ride to back to SA. Soon, the body was loaded and I was on my way.

The guys at Southern Automotive were a fantastic help (thanks guys) with setting the body back on the chassis. It certainly helps that Unique designs it to be an easy process to begin with. I spent the next half-hour installing a few bolts, taping the doors and trunk lid shut, installing the hood latches, and disassembling the wooden body buck for the ride home. The guys came out once again to help push the car onto the trailer (I've learned that two people are not enough). Soon, it was strapped in and ready to go. I must say, the car looked fantastic. What a beauty. Another Kodak moment. Unfortunately, the coaters weren't done with the sidepiepes yet, so it had to go home sans pipes.

It's amazing I didn't cause an accident pulling this thing through traffic. If you ever wanna cause a riot, try pulling into your local McDonald's with a Cobra in tow. Or any gas station. It's crazy. And the best part is hearing all the comments and whistles when I open the hood to reveal the big-block and two fours. Some guys just laugh and shake their heads in disbelief saying, "Oh my God." What a blast.

Well, remember those clear skies I was talking about? Forget about 'em. Upon entering Columbia, SC, the bottom dropped out

. It finally stopped by the time I pulled into the driveway. My neighbor and three of his buddies had been waiting all evening for me to arrive. They were a great help with unloading the car. I knew I wouldn't sleep knowing it was covered with road grime, so I sprayed it down with a hose and dried it off before parking it for the night. What a pleasure it is to look into the garage and see a beautiful red Cobra sitting there!

Now I need to get my butt down to the local parts store and start getting busy!

Keith

P.S. - Before you guys have a coniption fit, I'll post photos next week when they get back from developing, so just be patient.

KeithBrown · #2 (**permalink**) 08-16-2002, 09:39 AM

Congratulations! Stories like these keep me (a cobra wannabe), hungry for one of my own. I know you had to wonder if the rain couldn't have held off a few more hours. We've been so dry here, you could almost have predicted that it would only rain on the one day you didn't want it to.

I know you are smiling!

Regards,

"The other" Keith

Chaplin · #3 (**permalink**) 08-16-2002, 09:44 AM

Keith-
Congrats! Now it will be a race to the finish. I am very jealous and am looking forward to the day when mine comes home.

Mike

p.s.
Doesn't someone have a digital camera to loan Keith so we don't have to wait for his film to be developed?

Tom Wells · #4 (**permalink**) 08-16-2002, 10:09 AM

Hey Keith,

Welcome to the "one-float Mardi Gras parade" club!

When I was told about the attention I discounted the statements as salesmanship. Boy what a surprise! I didn't build this car for that but it is an unanticipated bonus.

It'll get better after the car is done and the sound is there to go with the eye appeal.

Congrats and I hope you have a smooth finish

,

Tom

CobraDan · #5 (**permalink**) 08-16-2002, 11:10 AM

Since when do you have to get digital pictures developed?

You now have till November to get your ride together and drive it down to Lutz, I will have my photographers waiting to take pictures with their digital cameras. Good Luck with your new toy.
Dan

ToyCollector · #6 (**permalink**) 08-16-2002, 03:53 PM

Keith, glad to hear it arrived home OK and that as usual the folks at SAE were there to help the continued development of your Unique. I hope the car didn't get totally soaked, but with no interior I assume, no harm would be done.

The F350 was a dually--fun keeping that in it's lane isn't it? Regular cab or extended/crew cab. One of the magazines said you pilot it, you don't drive it. I swear those trucks are one of the best open road long distance vehicles I have ever been in. I feel more refreshed getting out of one of those after 4 hours behind the wheel due to the seating position and visibility than I do getting out of Germany's finest 4 door autobahn blasters.

We want PICS!!! I updated my gallery today as well.

Dave Rodak · #7 (**permalink**) 08-16-2002, 05:02 PM

Congratulations Keith !!!!

I'm glad all went well with the trip. Just think where you'd be without all the help from the people at SA.

You're in the home stretch now... I'm betting you ( and Elizabeth? ) will be wrenching all weekend long.

Good luck!

Dave

BigEasy · #8 (**permalink**) 08-17-2002, 07:51 PM

Hey Keith;

Congratulations on your new baby--- a red Cobra---this whole process is almost (I say ALMOST) as good as finally recieving the completed project. It sounds like you have had plenty of help, and I can't wait to see it.

Just take good sized stone, and throw it into the front end, so your get over the first stone chip!!!

Best of luck in the completion.

BigEasy

excelguru · #9 (**permalink**) 08-19-2002, 07:44 AM

Thanks for all the kind words, guys.

Mike - The F350 was one of those "crew cab" versions with four full-size doors. It felt like I was piloting the USS Enterprise down the road! What a truck.

Dan - Yea, I guess that does sound weird. When I get my pics developed, I also have them put onto a photo CD. Comes in handy for us non-digital guys.

BigEasy - Don't worry, I've already scratched it... twice

. Neither one got to the color coat, thank goodness.

Dave - Yea, you could say I've been spending a little bit of time in the garage lately. In fact, I almost got ahead of myself and had to backtrack a little. Since I don't have much time between now and Sept 9 to make such mistakes, I sat down last night and created a very detailed chronological to-do list to keep me on track (sort of a supplement to Unique's instruction manual, which is excellent by itself).

I can't wait until the sidepipes are done. It just doesn't look right without the pipes. Now, if Bill were talking, he would say it just doesn't look right without the stripes.

Keith

Dave Rodak · #10 (**permalink**) 08-19-2002, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by excelguru

I sat down last night and created a very detailed chronological to-do list to keep me on track

Gee... Imagine that!

Quote:

I can't wait until the sidepipes are done. It just doesn't look right without the pipes. Now, if Bill were talking, he would say it just doesn't look right without the stripes

My limited experience has indicated Bill is always correct! Even when I was sure he was wrong, I later learned he was right. So... Is it too late to get those stripes?

Have fun!!!

Dave

GB · #11 (**permalink**) 08-19-2002, 11:41 AM

Keith,
Congrats on picking up your car. I look forward to cruising with you in the future. I can't wait to get back home and take the cobra out again.

Greg

chill · #12 (**permalink**) 08-19-2002, 07:22 PM

Congrats on the birth of your Cobra!

Can't wait to see it! (and hear it!!)

Since I haven't gotten over to Unique yet, maybe your new arrival needs to visit Mom and Dad in Alabama the next month or so....it would make another nice Kodak moment!! ...of course you will need a navigator...co-pilot....someone to keep the crowds away...whatever....sorry just a bit of grovelling....

excelguru · #13 (**permalink**) 08-20-2002, 10:33 AM

GB - Hey Greg! Haven't heard from you in a while. How's the baby boy?! It was a boy, right. I hope so, or I'm gonna feel really bad. Look forward to cruising with you at the next gathering. Are you gonna be in town the third weekend of September?

Chill - I'm always happy to have a co-pilot (I seriously doubt my wife would care to travel that far in an open-top car). I would imagine that half the fun of a car like this is taking people for rides. You may be right, after the car gets done I may have to swing it by "Mom and Pop" in Gadsden for a visit. Sounds like a perfectly logical excuse for a road trip to me.

Keith

GB · #14 (**permalink**) 08-20-2002, 06:13 PM

Keith,
Yes it was a boy and he is doing great. I hope to be home again by mid september, and look forward to some more cobra get togethers. Uncle Sam is keeping me busy chasing those pesky narco-terrorists all over the place!! If there is an event towards the second half of the month I should be able to make it.
Hope all is going well with the finishing of your cobra and I look forward to seeing it in person.

Greg

excelguru · #15 (**permalink**) 08-22-2002, 01:29 PM

I finally added the latest photos to my Online Photo Album for all to view!

Keith

HIQ · #16 (**permalink**) 08-22-2002, 01:45 PM

Keith,
Nice Car!

got snake? · #17 (**permalink**) 08-22-2002, 02:21 PM

Keith your doing a great job...It looks fantastic! About 18 more days?

GS

ToyCollector · #18 (**permalink**) 08-22-2002, 05:29 PM

Greg,

congrats on your boy!! Do you want my favorite Cigar brand now, or should I wait 'til we meet?

Keith, Chill, etc,

One of the other things chill and I talked about offline was a pilgrimage to Unique. One of my Porsche buddies has the Cobra itch!! And we all know that with friends like us around him, there will be only ONE way that itch goes away. Thinking of doing trip in sept/oct.

GeorgiaSnake · #19 (**permalink**) 08-22-2002, 06:15 PM

Congrats to you ! What a neat car but you should have painted it RED. My itch is nearly out of control now

Randy

ToyCollector · #20 (**permalink**) 08-22-2002, 07:38 PM

where are the pics...where are the pics...where are the pics...where are the pics...where are the pics...where are the pics...???? Whoops, I found them, please do not speed read Keith's post above.

Keith........it's not red enough!!

I hope that paint job comes with "diplomatic immunity"!! Any takers on if Keith will have stripes on it in the next 12 months? I'll hold the pot. Any odds?