[cycleguy55]

There is a 'Community' for West Coast owners in Club Cobra - you should check that out and perhaps subscribe to updates.

FWIW, I have a West Coast that was completed in 1991. It has the original Mustang II front end (with Energy Suspension urethane bushings) and a Torino 9" rear. 460 CI with a Richmond Gear 5 Speed Street transmission. Lots of fun, though there are a few quirks to it (e.g. brutal seats with no lateral or lumbar support, Ford steering column with horn on turn signal lever, difficult access to brake and clutch cylinders, useless stereo, wide rear fenders susceptible to stone chips). I have a number of upgrades planned, including 11" drilled and slotted discs all around, remote reservoirs for brakes & clutch, PowerTrax No-Slip locker, better gas tank, steering column).

I certainly was aware of how the WC Cobra was a less authentic replica than many others, but I will tell you it gets lots of attention when I take it out. People gush over it and most have not idea how to tell whether it's a replica or an original, much less distinguish among replicas. With the longer wheelbase it's more of a cruiser and street car but, as I've told many people, I would have bought a different car if I was intending to take it to the track.

As other have said (and will say), decide what you want to do with it and go from there. Also, be prepared to get your hands dirty and work on it. I've been fortunate in being able to do almost all of the work myself, and expect to do most of the planned upgrades as well. I think Cobras are like marriages - they require a lot of work to keep them fresh, and sometimes it's dirty and unpleasant.