[Excaliber]

Usually not a good idea to buy a Cobra with hopes of recovering your investment. Frankly, it rarely happens!

If not a Big Block then a 351W. $35-40K if complete, maybe less. I'd be worried about the title will play out BIG TIME. If it's through a "title washing" service you can forget about Calif registration. If it winds up saying something like "salvage title" vehicle you discount heavily the price.

If I was going to "go for it" I'd use a 351W and a 5 speed to keep costs down number one. Number two, I prefer small blocks. WHAT motor it USED to have will make a difference in what motor will easily fit back in! A BB vs SB have different engine and tranny mounts, not to mention the headers won't fit!

Could be a can of worms! Do it because you love the car, not the re-sale. DO NOT go with an automatic trans unless you want to keep the car forever......

Ernie