one more year

[windbar]

hey all...noob here...well, I turn 39 Saturday and am 1 year away from having the "dream car." I sad long ago that the day Im 40, Im getting a Cobra. Here's where you guys come in...I do NOT want this to sit in a garage, I want to drive it. Ive been getting fears lately re: practicality of the cars and I would like to get some feedback from you:

- I would only drive the car 6 months out of the year in the warm weather months (obviously)...how would the car serve as a daily driver? I know a lot depends on the power plant installed and wanted to see how 351 owners feel compared to 427 owners. Id like to go the 427 route for authenticity but, like I said, I want to drive it.

- Ive looked at the Superformance for years, but dont really know much about the FF, Kirkham, etc. Is there any reason to consider spmething other than Superformance?

Right now, those are my immediate questions to answer my concerns about practicality. Id MUCH rather have the Cobra vs. a Boxster or something else similar.

Look forward to driving with you guys in a year...IM DYIN!

Eric

[Wolfie]

Hi Eric, let me be the first to welcome you. I believe that we are meeting @ Fudrucker's in Schaumburg March 5th. try to make it. Meet a bunch of us. Before you purchase a car ride with some of us in our "Sid" seats. That way you can get the "feel" of things 1st hand. We have so many different makes in our club and vertually all engine set ups. I think you would realy enjoy it. Hope to see ya there.

[windbar]

If I can manage some time off work, Ill be there. What time do you get together?

Thanks for the warm welcome...

Eric

[RICK LAKE]

Windbar Eric are you looking to build a car? You might want to just buy one that is already built and on the street. I don't know how much auto mechanic ability you have. Is this going to be part of the family for the rest of your life? A little more info on what you want out of the car will help. Are you looking to rattle windows on the streets and scare those kids in the imports? Under car exhaust or side pipes? Big different between the two. The other thing is what are you looking to spend on your second children hood? There is a LARGE price different between the cars you have on the thread. You can build a small block cheaper that a FE motor. You can build a FE motor with the weight of a small block ( iron ) Are you looking for a SC cobra or FIA body style? Tires and wheels, what size are you thinking? Not trying to bust your chops but there is alot more info needed than you have giving. I want to welcome you to CC. I hope you can live with the disease you have contracted. If you are lucky you will be ONLY a carrier. Good luck Rick Lake Ps there is no CURE.

[CHRIS DAMSCH]

Eric,

Welcome to the madness.


We are getting together at Fuddruckers in Schaumburg around 7:00pm. If you can make it that would be great.

[windbar]

you guys are awesome...Im 99% sure I can be there on the 5th...

Rick, heres the response I prepared for you:
OK…here we go with as much knowledge as I could give you:

I definitely want one all put together. Im not much of a wrencher…my father is in finance and didn’t teach me s*** in the mechanical arena. I want to be able to turn the key and do a big, smoky burnout on my first ride home.

Seeing how Im not much of a wrencher, I think a small block would be more reliable and better served as a daily driver. As much as the idea of more HP and the authenticity of the 427 appeal to me, I don’t think its right for my needs. I cant believe Im being so rational on this issue…

Tires…Im undecided. I love the look of polished, 19’s with lower profile tires, but the original wheels with fat tires (with the large lettering ) look sick as well.

Ive always had my heart set on the side pipes…I just love the way they look. HOWEVER, seeing as though I’m going to drive this regularly, I will choose the exhaust that will not kill my neighbors and set off car alarms like a Harley. I want it to growl and sound like a motorboat, but don’t need to break windows every time I start her up.

As far as the body types go, Im not that knowledgeable yet. The only attainable Cobra Ive looked at has been the Superformance, which looks PERFECT to me. I’ll need more info. On the differences between the AC and the fia body styles. FYIO, he Cobra I originally fell in love with when I was 7, was the one from the Gumball Rally. The second I saw that I was bit by the Snake.

This car is mine forever…Ive wanted it forever so Ill keep it forever. Im not having any kids so this and my pets are going to be my “children.”

[windbar]

heres some cars I like:

http://www.motortopia.com/vehicles/v.../11293/i/cobra

http://www.gentlemansgadgets.com/ind...superformance/

http://flickr.com/photos/22377739@N03/2157504664

http://www.imotormag.co.uk/news/1367...roduction.html

http://www.kitcarmag.com/eventcovera.../photo_05.html

[RobertLHaug]

You sound similar to me. Love to drive them, not fix them.

We didn't know much about the options and were just lucky to select a Superformance (turnkey) in 2000 and have loved it since. The quality of finish is great compared to others. We have the 351W (410 hp) engine and find it easy to have worked on. WCCC members can make suggestions for who you should have to maintain the beast. I use the Cobra as my daily driver for 6 months of the year (wife complains in the cold so I bought her a 12v blanket). Every time I think of selling it, I just start it up and am happy again. This is the best investment we've made recently.

We can't make the meeting on March 5 (in Cabo) but you can get some great advice from WCCC members. Talk to Blas about Superformance.

Here's the link http://home.comcast.net/~slm427/site/ of the fellow we bought from...

[windbar]

dangit...I just realized Im taking the wife to Fleetwood Mac that night...I need to prioritize better! I wonder if shed be pissed if I sold them so I can come to the meeting....

When is the next get together?

[CHRIS DAMSCH]

Next get together that is currently planned is The first Thursday night in April at Fuddruckers in Schaumburg. We have started a new standing monthly get together. We also get together for breakfast at random times and days. Now that the weather is getting close to breaking, a bunch of us are getting very antsy.

Where do you live? I'm sure we can find some owners that are close to you so you can get some late winter previews! We have members scattered all over the state. Many of us would be more than willing to talk cars with you and explain what factors went into our decisions of manufacturer, engine, trans, COLOR, etc. Don't be shy, most of us aren't. Also we tend to joke around quite a bit, if you couldn't tell already. Watch out for WOLFIE!!!!!!!!!!!

[CHRIS DAMSCH]

By the way,

The picture links that you listed, The second link (gentleman gadgets) isn't a picture of a superformance.

[RedSnake351]

Originally Posted by CHRIS DAMSCH

By the way,

The picture links that you listed, The second link (gentleman gadgets) isn't a picture of a superformance.

Well Chris, don't keep us in suspense, What is it? FFR based on the radiator slant? Inquiring minds want to know!
Ralfanso

[galla4]

Hey Ralphie, is that an option I missed with my FFR order - a radiator slant? I going out to AZ in two weeks, do you want me to take the car out and charge the battery? No expense to you, just let me know where to pick up the keys. No problemo!

tim

[RedSnake351]

Originally Posted by galla4

...I going out to AZ in two weeks, do you want me to take the car out and charge the battery? ...tim

Thanks for the offer, Tim, but I plan to run out there in a month or so myself. How long you gonna be there? The Phoenix bunch is having a few get-to-gethers, one of them at nice car show in in Mesa, that's where I hooked up with them a year ago.
If you go just watch out for Danr55, he's the Wolfie of the AZ group.
Ralph