78 miles up-date........

[rodneym]

What a couple of nudniks.

Tin man,
Congrats! Go crazy. Are you finally retired? For good?

[SandyC]

Hooray! Looking good man. Can't wait to see it.

[Silverback51]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Putting the engine break-in aside (let's say it was painstakingly broken in for weeks on a dyno and it's now, by anyone's benchmark, perfectly broken in), there's all sorts of other parts on his new Cobra that do need to mate, and taking it easy is the way to go (think transmission, rear, brakes, etc). But the most important raggedy-jaggedy part is him -- and remember he put in an automatic transmission in, which we've written about a zillion times. Some of us say it makes the car less safe, some say "not true." I don't know -- but what I think he should do, once he's put a couple of hundred miles on the car, is take it out to the parking lot at an open-air concert park or stadium that has no light posts, Jersey walls, or the like, where he can safely floor-it, maybe with the wheels not aimed straight, and see what happens when the automatic transmission shifts its gears while he's holding the throttle to the floor. I think it'll scare the shi* out of him and he'll never do it again. But what do I know....

The only, and I repeat only thing that makes any car unsafe is the driver.

Well, except for those Pinto's.

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Putting the engine break-in aside (let's say it was painstakingly broken in for weeks on a dyno and it's now, by anyone's benchmark, perfectly broken in), there's all sorts of other parts on his new Cobra that do need to mate, and taking it easy is the way to go (think transmission, rear, brakes, etc). But the most important raggedy-jaggedy part is him -- and remember he put in an automatic transmission in, which we've written about a zillion times. Some of us say it makes the car less safe, some say "not true." I don't know -- but what I think he should do, once he's put a couple of hundred miles on the car, is take it out to the parking lot at an open-air concert park or stadium that has no light posts, Jersey walls, or the like, where he can safely floor-it, maybe with the wheels not aimed straight, and see what happens when the automatic transmission shifts its gears while he's holding the throttle to the floor. I think it'll scare the shi* out of him and he'll never do it again. But what do I know....

Oh yes, that's totally correct. What tires? I can't tell from the pictures. I hope they're good and sticky ones else the auto shift from 2nd to 3rd could be a hair raising experience. It would also be advised to try to do a 60MPH "stomp on it to pass" maneuver (which will force a downshift from 4th, and could also involve an exchange of rear end with the front.).

[tin-man]

Thanks to all for your kind words of encouragement and in sharing my joy after all this time. Over the next three weeks I will be driving the car gently and seeing what it can do. BTW the tires are just standard Mickey T's with a flame tread do not think they are the sticky type.

Cheers, John, AKA, tin-man

[tkb289]

John,

Welcome home ... sounds like the car is well sorted and ready to go.

Have a great time driving that Bleck Beauty

[Buzz]

Enjoy your Cobra within your limits John and as you and the car become more accustomed to one another, that enjoyment will just continue to grow.

[mikiec]

Hey Tinny.

Congrats.

I echo all the comments about getting to know your car. These things will bite you in the A$$ quicker than you can blink. Hopefully I'll see you this weekend. Weather permitting.

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by tin-man

Thanks to all for your kind words of encouragement and in sharing my joy after all this time. Over the next three weeks I will be driving the car gently and seeing what it can do. BTW the tires are just standard Mickey T's with a flame tread do not think they are the sticky type.

Cheers, John, AKA, tin-man

MTs should be a lot better than the Goodyear Eagle II bricks.

By the way, what happened to the forum? All of a sudden gratuitous likes are appearing (check "tires" above). Something called "viglink" adds a link to ebay.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

I would say you're more like a Klugscheisser.

Originally Posted by rodneym

What a couple of nudniks.

Note that I have the rotating gold star next to my name that means "I am Great." Yep, all other loving cups, stars, accolades, etc. have been removed from everyone else on this board except me. So there, thank you very much.

[rodneym]

You know, patrick, if you had put 50% of your 'posting effort' into making money, you could have afforded a vintage CSX and still have 6500+ posts.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by rodneym

You know, patrick, if you had put 50% of your 'posting effort' into making money, you could have afforded a vintage CSX and still have 6500+ posts.

... and if I had put all of my time in to making money I would also have a matching GT next to it. But then think of all the laughs you and RodKnock would have missed.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Note that I have the rotating gold star next to my name that means "I am Great."

I'm just so very happy that you stopped writing in the 3rd person.

[rodneym]

When you're right, you're right.

[rodneym]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Note that I have the rotating gold star next to my name that means "I am Great."

patrickt...
That spinning star you mentioned sure is neat.
How do I get one?

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by rodneym

How do I get one?

Awwww, man. Well, I see that cheapskate RodKnock still has nothing.

[tin-man]

Originally Posted by rodneym

When you're right, you're right.

rodneym, what's a premium contributor? tin-man

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by tin-man

rodneym, what's a premium contributor? tin-man

It's one step above a half-ass contributor.

[tin-man]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Awwww, man. Well, I see that cheapskate RodKnock still has nothing.

Hello Patrickt, what's a gold star contributor? tin-man

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by tin-man

Hello Patrickt, what's a gold star contributor? tin-man

It's an indication that the member is not only of the highest moral character, but discerning and thoughtful as well. It is specifically reserved for the elite of this forum.