Questions for Atlanta Cobra Owners

[JJM3]

I’ve been looking to add a Cobra to my garage in the future. I’d like to say near future, but with the economy I’m a little hesitant to pull the trigger on a $50K luxury item right now. In the meantime, I’ve been getting better educated on Cobras … most of my car experience is with German manufacturers (mainly M3’s). My goals for the car: weekend cruiser, would like to stay under $50K, fitment for 6’4” driver (legs and head height), above average quality, something to tinker with, but not spend an entire weekend on, and a nasty American muscle car engine sound (nice choppy idle in the 475hp – 515hp range). Acquiring a mirror image of the original, putting a 427 under the hood just so I can say so, or getting Shelby licensing is not important to me. Now to my questions:

1. Atlanta Area Get Together – is there one any time soon? I haven’t seen too many Cobras in person and I’ve only sat in a SPF. It would help a lot with my decision.

2. Build vs. Buy Roller vs. Buy Used?

Build - was something I’m very interested in, so I can intimately know the car like I never have with any of my other cars. Lonestar seemed like a good choice here because of the tall fitment & cost goal. I’m fairly competent with the mechanicals, but I’ve always had the concern in the back of my mind if I was biting off too much in doing a WHOLE car. Lonestar’s 7 day vacation build would solve that concern – one of their guys comes to your garage.

Buy Roller – I always liked the piece of mind in being the only owner of a performance car, so a roller seemed like a good option. Superformance was recommended by a friend I highly trust in the automotive space. He first said Kirkam, but that’s not in my price point. Backdraft is another one that I’ve personally been looking at just based on my own research. Any thoughts?

Buy Used – I can probably get the most bang for the buck right now by buying used. SPF or Backdraft would probably be my choice here since I don’t want to rely too much on someone else’s build quality. Also, the state of GA’s recent title and registration regulations seem to almost force me to go this route now, so I can get a pre-titled 196x car that I won’t have to worry about emissions or ad val tax down the road. Any thoughts?

3. Engine – Almost as subjective as color, but I’ll ask for input. My current thought is Southern Automotive’s 426 Windsor or Roush’s 427SR Windsor. SA’s 426 seems to be the more cost effective engine if I want to try to stay at $50K. A Roush would probably put me over, but I like the warranty and quality. Thoughts?

4. Soft Top – in Atlanta, how do you guys make due w/o soft tops or do you just treat the Cobra as if it were a motorcycle? I just see so many car sales w/o them. The only time I’d drive with a soft top would be if I got caught in an unexpected rain shower and that seems almost a certainty here in Atlanta. How would you go on a weekend trip with the Cobra? I wouldn’t mind the water, but the wife would not be happy at all. Seems like a requirement for me. Soft top requirement change anything above?

Thanks,
John