Need input on cobra manufacturers.

[Excaliber]

Went out for a drive today, had to make a U Turn. I was once again reminded how fun these cars are. Just a little deep in the throttle, not to much, and the back end just came around nicely!

Whoo Hoo, you got to get one of these replicas!

[ALLEN ENGLISH]

Excaliber - Yea! Just rub it in, to have a replica and cruz it in Oahu, HI are the two best things to have.

[Excaliber]

I would have cruised longer but it's really hot here, gee, kind of makes me wish I was back in Portland (NOT)!

[ALLEN ENGLISH]

Well I was out cruzing tonight and it is hot here too. OH - Please don't ad any more salt.

[badhabit]

Guys thanks for all the tips. I think for me I'll have to find a "used "cobra that was set up for a tall driver. Changing neighborhoods before I loose too much in the market takes high priority right now.
I've only seen 1 cobra in Yakima, what a shame.

[jgrant]

Well, I have been looking for a car for nearly 10 years, and I finally am about to realize my dream -

I bought and had built a Pacific Roadster. Looking forward to playing with it. I am 6'2" and of all the manufacturers out there, I only found a few where I sat in them and actually was looking THROUGH the windsheld, most I was looking into the frame and some I even was looking over the windshield.

Bottom line - RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH come to a club event, check out different manufacturers and see which one fits you the best...

John

[tridco]

Bad,

I'm 6'4" and it isn't the legroom that gets me...it is the fact that I am looking right at the top framework of the windshield. You can lower the pan on many or lengthen the box to move the pedals away from you. I have been looking at removing the seat tracks and some padding...that sinks me down such that I fit in most that I've tried...but it is a bit of a gumby routine getting in and out. The Superformance and Shell Valley with the deeper pan should both fit you...but Superformance seemed like you had to be more limber to get out the door...

I'd be interested in hearing what you come up with...

Cory

[Tongue Pirate]

I remember trying a Superformance back when I was initially researching & though it had the legroom I do see to remember it being a bit tighter to get in & out of than my ERA. I also tried to get into a NAF FIA car that wass in the same lot & that was a no go. I could get in but my knees were off to one side & up against the dash. For all I know NAF may have changed this by now....

[mj_duell]

Originally Posted by badhabit

Guys thanks for all the tips. I think for me I'll have to find a "used "cobra that was set up for a tall driver. Changing neighborhoods before I loose too much in the market takes high priority right now.
I've only seen 1 cobra in Yakima, what a shame.

If you don't find anything give us a call. We can build a frame with changes to fit your dimentions. I have had many requests like yours and we have always found an answer. We can build custom lowered floors and deeper footwells for you or even move the rear passenger wall back. You can order in any stage right on up to Turn Key Minus. Custom work is what D&D does best, we are the U.S. distributor. We have a forum here at CC and a gallery as well. Here is the web address, give me a call if you have any questions or need additional pictures (585)223-5917.

www.turntenracing.com



--Mike / Turn Ten Racing, Inc.

[Cashburn]

You are a good fit for a Backdraft. I have customers at 6'5" and 6'4" and all in between in the waistline. Our customers generally find us on the ability to comfortably fit in the cars and then fall in love with the whole package. No need for special footboxes/floors or other trickery, the space is there by design.

The 350HP car is one you can cruise all day and really enjoy it. As much fun as the high horsepower can be from time to time it seems our customers with the lighter motors put the most miles on the cars.

Would be happy to provide any additional info you may need. Good luck in your search.

[John McMahon]

I'd go with Mike Duell at Turn Ten.

Here is a guy with plenty of track time in a Cobra and understands the needs of most Cobra owners in either track or street environs. I know Mike, he is a straight shooter and will give the customer what he wants at a good price with no BS.

[robbiecanuck]

Hey Mike!

Thanks for replying to my post on the other thread. I will check out the boys at D&D. I just realized that I seemed to be on a thread for the Texas Cobra Club. Given that you are in Rochester (nice town - am through there every August on my way to "the Glen" for the Cup race), what are some good Cobra Clubs, websites, links, forums, etc. that cater to Western New York and/or Ontario/Quebec enthusiasts?

It's interesting that D&D can do custom footboxes and the like. I'm 6'3" and about 265-270lbs. I also have a relatively long torso compared to my legs, so a standard footbox might work, but I might need some other work to avoid me starting over the windscreen.

Rob

[mj_duell]

Originally Posted by robbiecanuck

Hey Mike!

Thanks for replying to my post on the other thread. I will check out the boys at D&D. I just realized that I seemed to be on a thread for the Texas Cobra Club. Given that you are in Rochester (nice town - am through there every August on my way to "the Glen" for the Cup race), what are some good Cobra Clubs, websites, links, forums, etc. that cater to Western New York and/or Ontario/Quebec enthusiasts?

It's interesting that D&D can do custom footboxes and the like. I'm 6'3" and about 265-270lbs. I also have a relatively long torso compared to my legs, so a standard footbox might work, but I might need some other work to avoid me starting over the windscreen.

Rob

Hey Rob,
Stop in if you get a chance. I love da Glen, great track and cool town. There use to be a forum for Upstate N.Y. guys called www.upstatecobras.com, but they disappeared last year for some reason. The FFR guys have a club in Rochester that takes in anyone with a Cobra no matter what the brand. We've had some great times going on wine tours or entering a few shows.

As for custom work, D&D is a true hot rod shop. They have a standard frame and jigs to build it, but Don will make almost anything requested. Don and I have an agreement on production of no more than 5 rollers per month so the quality will be absolutely top self. We have all kinds of requests from deeper foot boxes, to fuel cells, to full rollcages, you name it. We can trailor a roller to fit. This is a good niche for us because it is no big deal for us to halt production and make a jig change. Low numbers opens the doors for modifications. I am actually heading up to Chambly on Saturday and I could discuss some possible changes to the seating area with Don if you like. I am picking up a race prepared roller we are using as a display/demo car. I'm sending it to my painter and will have it here in about 3 weeks if you would like to take a look at a Turn Key minus. Give me a call if you need any info or you can email me here: mj_duell@turntenracing.com



--Mike / Turn Ten Racing, Inc.

P.S. John,

O.K, O.K....You can have the job! sheeesh Thanks for the compliment, see ya at da Glen. Did you get your cranky stickers? I have them everywhere including my Turn Ten truck I use to haul rollers around.

[JKube 2]

Well I don't know if I have the solution to taller drivers per say, but I am building one that might help with some of the issues. My chassis is incorporating the same monocoque design as the NAF Daytona. However the driver and passenger will sit one inch lower than the other cars that NAF has produced in the past. That should make it more comfortable for a hardtop option and maybe not looking over the windshield without the hardtop. A gull wing hardtop which we have had for years makes it easier to get in and out of the car. The floor pan will be all steel and am hoping to narrow the tunnel some to look more original and add side room. The foot well boxes will be deep enough to accommodate a tall driver and passenger. Basically a more rigid and roomier NAF 427. We are just applying what we learned in the 5 years of research and developmenton the NAF DAytona and applying it to the Cobra style cars. The first coupe we sold was to a 6'3 driver, and he doesn't seem to have problem with room, and the car retains the same 90" wheelbase. I know there are many modifications for taller drivers to existing cars like notching the tunnel for your right leg,footwell boxes can be changed, adjustable pedals can be installed, and different seat configurations. They were little cars to begin with so stuffing a big guy in them can be a challenge. I'm 5'9 and getting in and out of my 69 Mach 1 is a chore sometimes.

[badhabit]

HOLY COW, lots of stuff to take in and guru. I'm going to have one by July 07 period. Thanks to all that have responded, I am and have been getting online and checking out links. Lots of great stuff out there being made and more and more quality makers are coming into the picture for consideration.

[Cashburn]

One other great thing to do in the research phase is talk to people that have owned more than one. Find out if they changed to another make the second (or third) time and why... very insightful.