honest opinion

Todd Hedges · #1 (**permalink**) 04-19-2002, 02:03 PM

Hey Bob,

I just dropped off car 0611 for you guys to do a "once-over" prior to me taking it to inspection.

What do ya think????

That car is the product of my brother and I and 400 man-hours.

We have never done a project like this before, except for trying to work a small block Chevy in to a Jeep CJ7, and my brother spent 1-year painting cars while in collage.

We did 100% of the work our selves, including the paint and bodywork. From rolling chasis to wax in less than 5 months.

I really believe this is awesome testimony of how well your kit is made. Two back-yard hackers with little or no experience made it.

Thanks
Todd

xlr8or · #2 (**permalink**) 04-19-2002, 02:36 PM

Gt any pics of the car?
Would love to see it.

Todd Hedges · #3 (**permalink**) 04-19-2002, 03:09 PM

Here's an attempt to send a picture

Todd Hedges · #4 (**permalink**) 04-19-2002, 03:10 PM

OOPs
Didn't work

Bob Putnam · #5 (**permalink**) 04-20-2002, 07:45 AM

Todd,

Boy - I wish my bodywork skills were that good!

The car looks great - but the color doesn't show up very well in these photos .

Double Venom · #6 (**permalink**) 04-20-2002, 07:55 AM

Todd,
That is georgeous! Now, if you hurry YOU can be the 200th Cobra to sign up for the DVSF !!!!!!!!!

This is the place to show off that beauty! We'd love to have you and your brother attend with your new snake!

DV --300 CObras is NOT enough. Neither are 4 hotels!

Todd Hedges · #7 (**permalink**) 04-20-2002, 12:47 PM

Bob,

Thanks for posting some pictures!!

Double Venom
I would love to make arrangments to hit DVSF in June,
But I'd hate to say it, but my job gets in the way.

I had made previous plans with a buch of friends to goto
Carlisle the week before. I will send in a donation though, and
will try to make plans for the next event. I'm still really new to the Cobra world, and have a lot of new and exciting things to look forward to. Thanks.

Next step DMV and then the $1,800 insurance bill!

Todd
If you want to play you'll definately PAY!!!

Turk · #8 (**permalink**) 04-21-2002, 11:04 PM

Todd Hedges

You may want to do a little more homework on the insurance. Unless you have some previous blemishes on your record, $1,800.00 seems excessive.

Here in California where things don't cost less, I am paying $348.00 a year for a $200.00 deductible. It is insured for $80,000

Ironically my motorcycle insurance costs $374.00 every 6 months!
Go figure.

TURK

Bob Putnam · #9 (**permalink**) 04-22-2002, 03:49 PM

Turk,

Ahhh - but the insurance company knows that you drive like a little old lady!

JWheaton · #10 (**permalink**) 04-23-2002, 12:09 PM

Todd,

That is a great looking car. Very envious of you.

In an earlier post you mentioned that the car was going to be painted Titanium. Is that the color you ended up with?

What insurance company are you using? Did you sign up for the daily driver rate? I live in Ct. also and once I get my car on the road (my build is on temporary hold) I will get the double dose of prozac ready when I meet with the insurance company.

Todd Hedges · #11 (**permalink**) 04-23-2002, 05:50 PM

Turk
COBRA COLA
Your Insurance rates are incredible!! My 2000 Chevy S10 is double that and more!!!

I have only been driving for 16 years with one $1500 accident paying on average $1200 per year. To add insult to injury, my own insurance company that I insure my house, my truck, my wife’s car, and a $1million umbrella policy had the highest quote!

I did find a slightly cheaper policy of $1400 for a year based on an agreed value of $75K, but it is limited to 3,000 mile per year.

Once I have established that I can responsibly drive and own this vehicle for a year I will look elsewhere. Till then, I just signed the check for $1427.00 (note the 427 in the amount, kinda ironic)

JWheaton
The color is a PPG - Global Series Paint - Dark Charcoal Metallic. Similar to a 2001 Nissan Maxima.
I hope to meet you some day at a car show or ERA event.
Good luck getting back on track with your project.

Bob Putnam
I've seen a lot of OLD LADIES drive around here.
Actually I'm the son of one, and I tell ya, I wouldn’t give them a break. That $1500 accident I was in, was because a nice OLD LADY was on the cell phone. The real pisser was my 1-day-old truck only had 42 miles on it.

I think Tuck gets a great deal because he may have learned to drive in Europe. I drove in some cities of Germany and Austria and all rules go out the window. The stoplights turn from red to yellow then green like a Christmas tree at a drag strip. Look out!! it's survival of the fittest.(fastest)

Also Bob, thank Peter for the appraisal when you see him.

Todd

Jim Holden · #12 (**permalink**) 04-26-2002, 08:29 PM

Todd:

Doug and Ritchie (the ace mechanics in the finish shop) were over under and around the car when I was up at ERA last weekend. The car looked great. Welcome to ERA Motormania Association...

Jim Holden

searanch · #13 (**permalink**) 04-26-2002, 09:35 PM

Hey Todd,

You should be very proud - a job very well executed and shows exceptionally well...

Who is this guy Tuck?

Pete C · #14 (**permalink**) 04-26-2002, 10:05 PM

Great looking car! Welcome to the Brotherhood within the Brotherhood (ERA). Try Parrish Heacock (http://www.parishheacock.com/[/url]). They carry my insurance and it is less than $300/year with a 3000 mile limit. Regards, Pete

Todd Hedges · #15 (**permalink**) 04-27-2002, 09:48 AM

I made it through inspection on Friday.
Started at 7:30, arrived at Wethersfield DMV.
Unloaded the car and paid for the inspection.
8:00 am the inspector from hell approaches
11:30 am inspection is finally over - PASSED!!!
11:45 CT VIN was attached
12:00 to 2:00pm waited for registration and plates.
2:30pm drove home.
4:00pm completed the first 60 miles driving.
6:00pm insurance agent calls saying that the underwriter
didn't receive the paperwork, "don't drive the car"
6:02pm car is back in the garage

What a day. 2 years to order, manufacture, assemble,
inspect and register the car, only to be held up by some
minimum wage mailroom clerk that decided that this pile
of papers can sit for another day. Who would think it would
take more than a week to mail a document from Connecticut
to Ohio?

Saturday here in CT is 55 to 60 degrees, bright sunshine

no clouds, COBRA in the garage. Go figure.

Anyway, enough venting.
Thanks to everyone that has welcomed me to the ERA world.
Thanks to all who have helped with input, and advise.
I really look forward to meeting you as time goes on.
I have been running across people with ERA Cobras
more than you'd expect.

JWheaton · #16 (**permalink**) 04-28-2002, 10:27 AM

Todd,

It was nice to meet you on Saturday at ERA. Sorry your car was not with you. I am sure that I will see at some point.

As far as my build. It will happen. Just have to get the wedding and honeymoon expenses out of the way and then on to Cobramania.

Jamie

Todd Hedges · #17 (**permalink**) 04-29-2002, 06:30 AM

Jamie,

Sorry I was in such a rush Saturday.
I had too many things on the plate for that day.
Anyway, the Insurance Co. left me high and dry for the
weekend.

I wish I could have driven to ERA, but couldn't
take the chance.

By all means, the wedding plans are more important.
Keeping life simple, peacefull, and sharing it with someone
makes owning a Cobra all the better.

I married 3 weeks prior to putting the deposit down on my car.

Now, a year and a half latter, the car is complete and we'er
ready to enjoy it.

All in good time. It will get done.