Looking for a project or partially built Cobra

[t walgamuth]

Good points all, but I am sure there are also quite a few kits where the buyer just ran out of energy to work on them due to the aging process. The trick as pointed out above is to get one from a good manufacturer.

[olddog]

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

Good points all, but I am sure there are also quite a few kits where the buyer just ran out of energy to work on them due to the aging process. The trick as pointed out above is to get one from a good manufacturer.

Agreed. They do exist, but they are rare.

Of the ones that exist, I would expect you will be more likely to find that the purchaser died before finishing it. Unless a family member was involved and interested, it is difficult to get the paperwork on what exactly it is, and the papers necessary to title it. Without the MSO and documentation your DMV will accept as proving the parts are not stolen, you are in trouble.

Of the ones that the purchaser is alive and health or other events have prevented them from finishing the car, they should have all the information and paperwork in order. These I expect are very rare, but the better kit to purchase. However these are also the people most likely to want to recoup 80% or more of their investment. To me saving 20% doesn't cover the risk and the fact that the manufacturer may not think of you as their customer.

IMO if it has changed hands, and you will be the third or fourth owner, be very careful. If it is not a good manufacturer that is still in business, walk away, unless you personally know enough to write a book on the manufacturer, and all the paperwork is with it.

It is very hard to pick anything up at 50 cents on the dollar, if it is worth owning at all. These are situations that come by once or twice in a lifetime, if at all. So starting out on this quest is like chasing rain bows, in my opinion.

People who think they can own one of these cars for less than $15K are the ones who build a death trap and put the hobby at risk. I think it is best to explain the facts up front and correct misguided expectations right away.

The OP in this case is expecting to spend $30K finished which is doable but on the lower end. My comments is more in general as there have been quite a few new folks asking similar questions lately. Over the years, there have been tons of these type questions, and I do not recall anyone succeeding.