[twobjshelbys]

Here is my initial over arching question, and I realize the question is too general to nail down but....generally speaking,

Q:what is it like to own/drive one of these cars?
A: You will be accosted at every stop by people who want to know what kind of Mustang it is. Learn about the cars and have a general response ready. Some will know what a Cobra is and ask if it is "Real" - meaning is it original. Have a canned response ready there too. Mose people are satisfied with a simple yes or no like answer and getting into more detail can stretch your gas fill time from a minute or two to much longer.

Q: Can there be a reasonable expectation of reliability, comfort, performance, practicality, etc?
A: The answer needs to be considered in the correct era. Remember it is a 60's car. So expect 60's style reliability. It's also a race car at heart, and race cars don't have a 3 year 36000 mile warranty. I would expect a newer Cobra engine to actually be better than your Mustang since the new engine components, even though they are time-correct, are machined to much higher tolerances.

Q: Is it terrible once the trip goes past 100 miles, or is it a cross country type ride? In between?
A: That will depend on your own a** and back. There is no cruise control, but there isn't on the Mustang either. However, the seat position is relatively fixed and I think the seats were stiff. I could do a drive from Lyons to Colorado Springs (about 100+- miles) without any discomfort. But you'll be forced to a stretching break every 300 or so miles to get gas.

Q: I realize the quality of the kit and the build is a major factor. I am not out for all out speed or performance. I want a build that feels like a well built car, not like a cobbled together concoction that barely passes the requirements. I think that pretty much any drivetrain will perform beyond my ability to drive it, so I would not be seeking a full blown stroker FE build. I would be looking at either a mild FE, or perhaps one of Ford's crate 427 Windsor engines.....not the hotter one, the milder dual plane version. That would have MORE than enough performance for me. I would also want an OD tranny and EFI, but not a high end MPFI, probably something like the MSD Atomic EFI. I've always had a liking for the Superformance cars, but I'm not sure my budget can support that. Factory Five is high on my list as well, but I'm not sure that with my skills I could achieve the build quality I'm after.
A: So all of this is really power train preferences and personal choice items. Some of them will affect reliability, e.g., there are good and bad EFI systems. Educate yourself before buying a completed car and before building one of your own.

Q: Anyhow, I realize my questions are very general, and probably repeated a million times. I did search this and several other forums. Most newbie discussions are about one kit versus another. I'm not there yet. I just want to know if the loss of my Fastback would be worth the gain on the other end.
A: I suggest you just start reading here. There are thousands of topics to review, and hundreds on almost any sub question you may have, e.g., EFI.

You didn't ask about how it is to drive one. They are the twichiest things on wheels. Everyone wants monstrous HP so the HP:weight and accompanying torque mean you can break wheels loose in a straight line in almost any gear. There is nothing between you and that light pole except a thin layer of aluminum (probably not in your car) or fiberglass. Be careful and I would suggest a really good track prep class so you know how to get out of that oversteer spin that WILL happen when you least expect it.

Good luck.