Why Do Cobra Owners Sell So Fast?

[ERA Chas]

I made it just short of 3 decades. Selling was a health matter, not a loss of love or changing fad.

[lamaluv]

I am afraid that I may be rapidly approaching ERA Chas's dilemma. Getting old is definitely not for sissies.

[427 Street]

I bought mine last year at 43....I wanted to get one before any personal issues...God forbid.

I would still probably trade it towards an original GT-350 though

[CowtownCobra]

Because what they thought they wanted was a cobra but what they needed was a corvette

[CSX3183]

First I'll comment on all of the answers for why people sold them so quickly, for the most part I think the answers were spot on.

But why was the question asked in the first place? All one has to do is look at the threads over the years, to get your answers.

1. How can I put in cup holders?
2. I want to install A/C.
3. I want to install heated seats.
4. I can't find room for my feet.
5. Where can I buy a hardtop?

And the list goes on and one and on forever, trying to make a Cobra into a Lincoln. What did the "Arnold the Gov." call them,,,,,,,,sissy men??

If your not willing to be uncomfortable or to sacrifice, buy a Lincoln, Caddy, Lexus, and quit complaining.

[DAVID GAGNARD]

Originally Posted by CowtownCobra

Because what they thought they wanted was a cobra but what they needed was a corvette

I think this what one calls HITTING THE NAIL ON THE HEAD...........

it is the correct answer in 95% of the cases..........

David

[Metal-morphous]

Most of the time I'm too scared to be comfortable in my cobra :-)

[JST4FUN]

I think a lot of the time it is realizing a dream that came true and then deciding there are other dreams to be realized that may take you in a different direction! In my case it was a 40+ year memory that became a dream as retirement approached, then that dream came true after I retired. I already had the Vette, but my memory was the raw horsepower from the 60s and that of a white with blue striped car that i really didn't realize what it was at the time sitting in a showroom in NYC in 65. After a lot of research, I got exactly the one I wanted and have no plans to part with it. I probably put 1k miles a year on mine in the 3 I have owned it. It is everything that other posters have described, but it is exactly what I wanted and expected. The original owner sold it to me with 1100 miles on it after his wife got a snake bite getting out. I guess I could see many reasons to sell them, but for me there are many more to keep them!!

[RET_COP]

I believe Patrick, David and Cowtown have the reasons.
What other car can give you a race car feel in both drag racing and handling a road course. At 2500 lbs. the feel is like no other, equivalent to an added 130 HP for free!!!
I am a true car guy, I had an option :
To get back into Drag Racing or Hot Rodding.
I chose the latter due to flexibility.
I live my race car days through my COBRA, it's as close as I can get.
Solid Motor and Body mounts, Carbureted, Stick, HP range in the 1.5 per cube, 3" ID cobrapacks (no packing) etc.
I do most of my mods and repairs and my garage stinks of high octane fuel, cloths too.
It's pure HELL!
and I love it.
My only regret is that I did not do this sooner, at 55 I just feel like the sharpness and my ability will start deteriorating . What a bummer.
Can I Buy Back In Please, Please

[jwd]

For most, owning/building a Cobra is just a phase of life. Once it's achieved, it's time to move on. I've owned just about every muscle car ever made, enjoyed them and moved on. I feel sorry for those that think owning a Cobra is the ultimate/end of life goal. Boring.

[lovehamr]

Originally Posted by jwd

For most, owning/building a Cobra is just a phase of life. Once it's achieved, it's time to move on. I've owned just about every muscle car ever made, enjoyed them and moved on. I feel sorry for those that think owning a Cobra is the ultimate/end of life goal. Boring.

Then why are you here?

[jwd]

Originally Posted by lovehamr

Then why are you here?

Because I have an interest in ALL cars and have a bunch of friends that are on this site. I'm not so myopic that I only have interest in one type of car.

[Obsessive]

Originally Posted by Cobra Braggin'

I'm planning to buy a new Superformance MKIII built exactly to my specifications and I'm really looking forward to it. I love all classic muscle cars from the mid to late 60's and the Shelby Cobra 427 is my favorite! I plan to keep mine at least 20 years. But, it seems like a lot of guys get this dream car and then sell it within just a few years...WHY?

I was reminded of this post today after I nearly killed myself on a test run.

I rebuilt the motor in my CSX last summer and noticed lately that I have lost a ton of power. It felt like I had no secondaries and I noticed my pedal was way down, to the point that I could not heel/toe the pedals if I wanted to. The obvious place to start was the linkage and sure enough, the linkage had a loose point that changed the geometry. I was getting no secondary throttle and only about 25% primary. Interestingly enough, the car was still as fast as I ever needed it on the street!

I fixed the problem and took her for a ride. Wow. Major improvement and I think the throttle was never right from the time of the rebuild. I never remember having this much power.

I pulled out into traffic and brought her up to speed; maybe up to about 50 miles per hour. I was in second gear and wanted to blow doors on the surrounding traffic so I stabbed the throttle without shifting. SUDDENLY, the car twisted to the right. I overcompensated and she spun around to the left a complete 360 spin. I recovered to the front/original direction and pulled over at the next turn off to change my pants.

I love the car and won't sell it. However, I get it. This is not for everyone and you probably need to have a screw loose to drive one.

[Dangerous Doug]

Wow! "Obsessive"! I guess you rounded up all those missing horses. Be careful out there.

I think the answer to the original question is less Cobra-centric as we'd all like to believe. There are some guys that are of the car du jour mentality, and getting a Cobra is just one stop along a long string of cars. ("Ooooo, I've never restored an original Austin Cooper, and this one is for sale!")

My oldest brother is like that. He's had all kinds of interesting cars, including a couple of Corvettes. I find that I can admire and enjoy other cool cars without having own them.

Cheers,
DD

[Young1]

I am a one year owner of a Unique after a 40 year plus dream. Interestingly I became a Cobra owner because of physical limitations. Purchased it already built and titled with 3K miles while recovering from a MC accident. Getting it leak free, bugs worked out, properly assembled and reliable was a lot of work. It took me a full year to be confident to go on a 5 state road trip. My wife and I truly enjoy the "outdoor" experience of the car. I see it in my garage for a long time.

Why do Cobra owners sell so fast? IMO many do not have the skills, time and patience to perform the massage these hand built cars need. Too expensive to take to a mechanic to have them track down the parts, always in the shop, always breaking down, always spending $250. The beautiful body is a PIA to live with and so out the door she goes.

[Low&Hot]

Post #1 but been lurking for a while. Registered to be able to ask questions. Does the board have Personal Messaging? I haven't found it. Anyway JST4FUN you're in my neighborhood, I was wondering if you still had your car and if I could pick your brain.

In looking at the MANY used cobras on the market with very low miles this post nailed what I've been wondering. With our children older and gone I don't have to deal with the "who's gonna ride guilt". But if my "best friend" wife doesn't enjoy the experience.... .well... So thanks for being so candid everyone because there is a hot car in my future, but it needs needs to be a joy and thrill to her also or it will be a "been there, done that experience".

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by Obsessive

I pulled out into traffic and brought her up to speed; maybe up to about 50 miles per hour. I was in second gear and wanted to blow doors on the surrounding traffic so I stabbed the throttle without shifting. SUDDENLY, the car twisted to the right. I overcompensated and she spun around to the left a complete 360 spin. I recovered to the front/original direction and pulled over at the next turn off to change my pants.

You and just about everybody else at one time or another will throw the Cobra into an oversteer situation. It happened to me (more than once) when accelerating with cold tires into a left turn out of my subdivision. Accelerating is the right response as it squats the rear end down and restores contact. Sometimes you flat out don't have room to do that though.

Note that the same thing can happen when letting off the acceelerator!!! That is caused by compression braking and most people do not expect that at all.

But that is another reason people do let their Cobras go. They are a handful and get real squirrelly at the drop of a hat.

[dallas_]

Originally Posted by Low&Hot

but it needs needs to be a joy and thrill to her also or it will be a "been there, done that experience".

I think that wives who like these cars are few and far between.

Same with neighbors. Since these are expensive toys, many who own them live in nice neighborhoods, and some of those neighbors don't appreciate the awesome sound like the owners do.

[twobjshelbys]

Some people also expect their garage floors to be pristine. Cars with fluid leaks are not allowed. Well, not leaking is not an attribute of a Cobra engine In fact, it's said that if you have a FE engine and it stops leaking that means it's out of oil.

So for all but FEs, fixing leaks is another of the tinkerer things to be done on alternating weekends.

This is not necessarily a Cobra issue, but a general attribute of engines from the period. Seals weren't all that great. I remember the valve covers on the 350 in my 73 Chevelle always weeped a little (so the engine always had some oily dirt on it).

[snakebiteforu]

True Shelby Cobra lovers know what a special car they have. I was soon to turn 16 in high school when a friend shared a car mag. On the cover was a 1965 427 Shelby Cobra sitting along side of a 427 Corvette. (Does anyone remember the issue?)Working summer jobs and nights after school, I asked my dad to borrow me about $2,000. to buy the car and I would pay back the differance. He quickly advised me, this car was more expensive then his buick and would make a very poor investment. When I turned 17, I followed a original grey 427 Shelby Cobra and the true love affair started. Four years ago, I was driving a new Z-06 and found the car that looked like the one I saw back then. The Corvette was a great car, but the Shelby Cobra will never become old in my mind. My son has already spoken for it one day.