Introductions Are In Order

CoolCarl · #1 (**permalink**) 02-23-2010, 03:42 AM

Hello everyone, I'd like to introduce myself. I've been lurking on these forums for about a month. I just registered a week or so ago and I figured I should say hi and maybe say a little about myself.

I got my first introduction to the cobra in high school. I graduated high school in 1987 and I'm 40 years old. My high school auto teacher was a big Ford guy. Before he taught auto shop he was a cam shaft engineer for ford. He used to engineer/design racing cams for them. His name was Mr. Kaufman. He had all kinds of Ford racing memorabilia in the shop.

Oh, and he hated Chevys. Before every lesson that we took there would be an impromptu quit. Simple stuff like what to do if your engine will turn over but not start. They were always multiple choice and fairly simple. The last option was always a rip on chevy products.

My first car was a 75 spitfire that I sunk WAY too much money on. I had it for 16 years. out of those 16 years I think it actually ran for 2 of them. My first muscle car was a 67mustang that was a GT-350 knock off. It looked good, ran good, but handled like a sack of wet noodles.

My friends and I would always drool over the current issue of Kit Car magazine. There was always at least 1 cobra being featured every month if not several.

I'm not sure if I could build my own kit. I have some basic automotive knowledge. I've done stuff like rebuild my 289, R&R engine/tranny, install new vinyl on seats, new carpet, install headliners. I can design and install a pretty mean audio system (not really applicable for cobras though). It's been a really long time since I've done any of that though.

I'll stop now before I start to ramble.

Regards,

Carl

Anthony · #2 (**permalink**) 02-23-2010, 03:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoolCarl

I'm not sure if I could build my own kit. I have some basic automotive knowledge. I've done stuff like rebuild my 289, R&R engine/tranny, install new vinyl on seats, new carpet, install headliners. I can design and install a pretty mean audio system (not really applicable for cobras though). It's been a really long time since I've done any of that though.

I'll stop now before I start to ramble.

Regards,

Carl

Hello, and I bet you could.

mrmustang · #3 (**permalink**) 02-23-2010, 04:12 AM

Welcome to clubcobra, you'll find it quite an interesting place with a mix of replica owners second to none.

As far as eventually owning a Cobra (real or replica), I started out with a 6cyl 66 Mustang coupe and worked my way up from there

Bill S.

CoolCarl · #4 (**permalink**) 02-23-2010, 04:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoolCarl View Post
I'm not sure if I could build my own kit. I have some basic automotive knowledge. I've done stuff like rebuild my 289, R&R engine/tranny, install new vinyl on seats, new carpet, install headliners. I can design and install a pretty mean audio system (not really applicable for cobras though). It's been a really long time since I've done any of that though.

I'll stop now before I start to ramble.

Regards,

Carl
Hello, and I bet you could.

I guess I should have phrased that better. I'm pretty sure I could do it. There are a few factors that would hinder progress. I live in an apartment (actually a duplex) and have a single car garage. I'm sure everyone has seen those apartment garages where you can't even open both doors at the same time. I could probably store the fiberglass body on my back patio while I did the skeleton/frame work.

The other thing is time. I'm by no means a professional mechanic. A hack at best. I would be slow. On top of that I could only work on it for 1 hour a night and perhaps 4 hours on Sunday. At that rate it would be years and years upon completion.

I appreciate the vote of confidence though and the warm welcome.

Tommy · #5 (**permalink**) 02-23-2010, 06:39 AM

Carl,
Welcome. I think you'll fit in here.

BTW, you've introduced yourself in the arena called The Lounge. This is mostly where people from the political far left and far right take shots at each other. I'm surprised someone hasn't already used your thread to point out either the devine righteousness or sinister socialist character of the Obama administration. So you know, there is another section of the forum just for people to introduce themselves. It is somewhat less prone to off topic comments like this one.

Ron61 · #6 (**permalink**) 02-23-2010, 07:08 AM

Carl,

Glad to have you join us and when you are ready there are a lot of already built Cobras of almost every brand and type on the market. You might think about looking at them and finding one that fits what you want or is close enough that you can make whatever changes you may want easy enough. Having gone through the experience of building one just exactly as I wanted it, I think I would never do that again. I would look for a used one in good shape that was close to what I want and then make the changes.
As Tommy so kindly pointed out, there is an Introduction Forum for new people but he carried his description of the lounge a little to far I believe. It is the cyberspace love in area of the 60s.

Ron

trularin · #7 (**permalink**) 02-23-2010, 08:31 AM

Welcome to the club!

Wayne Maybury · #8 (**permalink**) 02-23-2010, 08:47 AM

Carl, welcome to CC.

Actually it is nice to have a non-political thread in the lounge.

All it takes to build a Cobra replica is the will and some $$$. There are many members here that will be willing to answer any, and all of the questions that you may have. CC is a great resource for anyone building a Cobra. Have fun.

Wayne

rustyBob · #9 (**permalink**) 02-23-2010, 09:11 AM

Welcome Carl........
dont be affraid we dont bite....well most of us dont anyways........
if you have done all that work to cars in the past then you can build a Cobra......
it took me 6 years in a 1 car garage but i got it done....finally........
enjoy yourself here and dont be a stranger..........

Jamo · #10 (**permalink**) 02-23-2010, 11:53 AM

Welcome aboard.

CoolCarl · #11 (**permalink**) 02-23-2010, 04:34 PM

Sorry about posting in the wrong section. I guess I just didn't look close enough. Once I saw 'lounge' I figured it was a good spot.

So I'm quite interested in a cobra. I put a bid on 2 of them already. I don't have the ready cash and just offered a trade of land. Neither were accepted although I didn't really hold out much hope.

I really like the idea of buying a used cobra. I'm undecided on which route to take though. I'm not against building my own. Being able to drive one around this summer is outweighing spending 2 years building my own.

Of course I'd miss out on the whole pride thing. I'd love to be able to say I built it.

Right now I'm in the research phase (thats about all you can do when you don't have the ready cash to spend).

I'm leaning towards a big block build. I think the rule of thumb is something like this....lots of people upgrade from a small block engine to a big block but its pretty rare for someone that already has a big block to change it to a small block.

I have to admit I feel somewhat like a lurker because I don't actually have a cobra. Feels kinda funny even posting.

Carl

Ronbo · #12 (**permalink**) 02-23-2010, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoolCarl

I have to admit I feel somewhat like a lurker because I don't actually have a cobra. Feels kinda funny even posting.

Carl

That's OK, most of us don't either...

Welcome aboard!