Going to DUBAI

Todd Hedges · #1 (**permalink**) 10-25-2007, 09:37 AM

I have a few general questions that I thought the experts here might have some insight on; I still have ERA Car #611 which is a 427SC big block (428) and it's going over to Dubai in the UAE with me.

I'm a little concerned about the heat - this will be the first Cobra used as a Winter Car

since during the summer the temps don't go lower that 100 degrees even at night.

I'm concerned about the laws and regulations, especially getting the car there in the first place.

Lastly, if I had to sell #611 while I'm there, what the market would yield.

If anyone has any input from personal experiences, I'd appreciate it.
Thanks,

Wayne Maybury · #2 (**permalink**) 10-25-2007, 11:36 AM

I have absolutely no personal information about driving your car in Dubai but I would think that it would be easy to sell it there, for big bucks. Most of top end cars that are stolen here are placed directly in containers and end up in the middle east.

Wayne

Excaliber · #3 (**permalink**) 10-25-2007, 11:52 AM

I've had my ERA up for sale off and on the last year or so. I list it, have second thoughts and pull the ad (currently listed again).

I've had more interest from OVER SEAS buyers than from the USA! The way I figure it is this way: Over Seas buyers see the value in a nicely done Cobra with a real big block. USA buyers tend to go with 'lost cost' leaders and don't care about the 'originality' concept. Which is a shame in my opinion, the low cost, not even CLOSE to original specs are diluting the Cobra scene across the USA. A replica Cobra is rapidly becoming 'just another sports car' with a small block. In fact my friend recently sold his for that very reason, to many replicas around these parts. Not to worry, he just picked up a CAV GT-40 to park next to his Daytona Coupe, both quite rare here in Hawaii.

I ALMOST had the car sold in the Netherlands but importing paper work became a nightmare and the deal fell through. Currently some interest from Sweden, no hits from Dubai (yet).

My guess is a fairly ACCURATE to detail replica, such as an ERA, would do well in that market.

By the way, get all the FAN you stuff by the radiator, front, back, sideways. An oil cooler is a must, a BIG oil pan to get as much oil as possible in circulation. The engine oil temp is a significant factor in helping control engine heat. Get the best water pump you can and the biggest darn radiator you can find. Over heating IS going to be a problem. Water Wetter, in other words, every trick in the book. Look to the Arizona guys to see what there doing. I'd also run a soft top, the sun shine in Hawaii is a killer, the top for the heat not the rain! Don't bother with A/C, it won't do squat in that area and will increase engine heat.

Todd Hedges · #4 (**permalink**) 10-25-2007, 12:03 PM

I know the temps are going to be a big problem, and the law says I have to live there for a year before I can sell it. Go figure. Regardless it's going to be so much fun bruning up fresh dinosaur juice over there. The project I'm going to is part of Dubailand which has a nice new F1 track. I hope to make connections...

cobra de capell · #5 (**permalink**) 10-25-2007, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Todd Hedges

I have a few general questions that I thought the experts here might have some insight on; I still have ERA Car #611 which is a 427SC big block (428) and it's going over to Dubai in the UAE with me.

I'm a little concerned about the heat - this will be the first Cobra used as a Winter Car

since during the summer the temps don't go lower that 100 degrees even at night.

I'm concerned about the laws and regulations, especially getting the car there in the first place.

Lastly, if I had to sell #611 while I'm there, what the market would yield.

If anyone has any input from personal experiences, I'd appreciate it.
Thanks,

No personal experience, but it does sound like it will be a hassle, to me - anyway, go to http://dubai.craigslist.org/car/440841593.html someone has a Superformance with a 427 center oiler for sale in Dubai - cotact him for information with Cobra owners normally more than willing to share information or the buy or sell end.

Also, go to http://www.starauto.com/viewcar.asp?id=15629 - another Cobra for sale in Dubai.

wtm442 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-25-2007, 01:32 PM

I heard that gas was about 25 cents per gallon over there. Have fun and burn as much gas as possible.

Excaliber · #7 (**permalink**) 10-25-2007, 01:59 PM

Craigslist, aint it something! As far as the Ad goes, NOTHING pisses me off more than a jerk who lists something for sale with no freakin' price listed.

Now looking for an e-mail bomb for THAT guy... (not really, but it would be satisfying).

HI Cobra · #8 (**permalink**) 10-25-2007, 04:26 PM

Ernie,

At the top of the page the price is EAD 280,000. Now what that means
in US $ I don't have clue.

In the other ads a MB was EAD 170,000
or so. Hope that helps a little.

427 S/O · #9 (**permalink**) 10-25-2007, 04:41 PM

280,000.00 AED = 76,248.57 USD

Couldn't find EAD, are you sure that's correct?.

HI Cobra · #10 (**permalink**) 10-25-2007, 05:52 PM

AED - my bad - it comes with age.

You'll catch up soon enough.

Excaliber · #11 (**permalink**) 10-25-2007, 07:08 PM

Well OK then, I guess that makes me the jerk!

$76K, certainly more than one would expect to see in in the USA I think, for this car. Of course, it's still listed so asking don't mean getting.