[btoll]

I'm just back from my first ride ever in a cobra. My hair is still messy, my feet are still toasty and I'm still smiling.

I've been dreaming of building a cobra kit since the early 90's. I've seen them at car shows and occasionally driving on the street, but there just aren't many in my area. A couple days ago I was getting a ride home from somebody who parks in a different area of the lot. We climb into his car and I just about have a heart attack because we're staring right into the open mouth of a cobra.

I convince my freind to get out and take a look and eventually I leave a yellow sticky note with my email address. The next day the wonderful owner sends me an email and suggests that we go for a little ride.

I just got back from the ride and it was everything that a ride in a cobra should be. We didn't do any daring stunts and it "only" has a normal 302, but it was just perfect. We cruised around and drew attention everywhere we went. It was fast, hot and loud, but not loud enough to prevent him from answering the questions I threw at him as fast as I could. It was a NW exotics (used to be LA exotics and basically the same as B&B) and he didn't build it himself, but it was a cobra and none of that mattered.

I've been planning a FFR build when the kids are a bit older and the stocks go up again, but I don't want to wait that long. Sorry for the long ramble, but I just had to tell somebody and I figured you guys wouldn't mind.

-Bret

 

[Horizon200]

Geek,
I know exactly how you feel. Phil Meade was nice enough to "donate" his body buck to me in anticipation of my build. While I was there drooling over his car, he suggested we go for a quick ride! WOW! What a great car! I couldn't stop ranting about it for days!

 

[Cobra Lust]

I know exactly how you feel!

A friend of mine built an Everett Morison with a 427 side oiler, with 2x4s. He had always told me he wanted me to drive it because I had done some road racing. Well, the day finally came. We were doing a local autocross and he came by. We took a short ride and he pulled over and said, "your turn".

I couldn't believe it. I didn't even have my drivers license with me, but I thought, how many times in your life do you get to drive a car like this? I'll pay the ticket.

It was awesome. He also took my wife for a ride and she told me that as he started to accelerate down an on ramp to the interstate, he said "hold your hat". She regretted that there wasn't anyone she knew around. She still remembers it to this day and grins when she tells the story. I'm so lucky to have a wife that wants a Cobra almost as much as I do.

I'll be ordering my dream car next week from FF.

 

[Bill]

Sounds like you already have a great donor!

 

[btoll]

Yes, my '93 mustang is really great. With the 9lb Kenne Bell supercharger, the 38lb injectors and 3.55 gears, it can sping the tires with the best of them. I've been dreaming about that power and torque on a 2200lb car instead of the 3300lb car. It would be pretty amazing.

The only drawback is that it is in pristine condition. I've always parked it in a garage (even at work) and the paint looks as good as the day I drove it off the lot. I've had quite a few offers because it is in such good condition. It would probably make more financial sense to sell it and get a different donor car. But I have so much time and memories wrapped up in this car I really want to reincarnate it as my dream car. Hopefully I can find somebody who can put the shell to good use.

 

[Rigler]

It will definately be "superchanged" if you make it into an FFR. I wouldn't do it if I were you. There is no reason to destroy a perfectly good car to build an FFR. Do the calculations on the sale and purchase of new or just swap motors if you really love that engine but to strip a pristine car is a crime in and of itself. It is none of my business what you do with your property but if cost is at all a factor I think you may find your car a very expensive donor.

Have Fun,
Dave