Cobra power, how much is enough?

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by REAL 1

Patrick: Just because you can't see it doesn't mean it doesn't have value you won't pay for. There are some intrinsic aspects that have value.

Well, maybe. I didn't buy my ERA as an investment. Plus, I never plan on selling it, either. I'll just give it to one of my kids when I get old and feeble (or die). Had I been designing my ERA for a purely investment/resale aspect, I might have done it differently (yes, probably have gone with only one roll bar), but I built it solely to please me. For instance, you can't feel, or see, the difference between my 428 and a side oiler (unless you put it on a lift and peek at the sides), and I actually like glass better than aluminum... but that's me, and I certainly won't argue that my 428 is worth more than a SO or that glass is worth more than AL. But to me, my particular configuration is worth more, in the overall scheme of value analysis, than something that would undoubtedly sell for more at auction. It is the subjective theory of value that controls when resale is not in the picture.

[JBCOBRA]

....on the other side of the coin, I intentionally avoided aluminium (even though I love it) and am thankful for glass. I have hit a variety of furry beasts, one Big @ss bird, and was hit by a Road Gator (truck tire tread) No damage.

Originally Posted by REAL 1

Patrick: Just because you can't see it doesn't mean it doesn't have value you won't pay for. There are some intrinsic aspects that have value.

You can't see the the difference from aluminum to glass in many cases yet guys (like yours truly) paid the upcharge for aluminum.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by REAL 1

You can't see the the difference from aluminum to glass in many cases yet guys (like yours truly) paid the upcharge for aluminum.

In my case, you can.

Having owned a painted fiberglass car (Corvette) for a very long time, unpainted aluminum is the "cat's meow" to me.

BTW, there was another thread several days ago, where an ERA owner compared the authenticity of the various Cobra manufacturers and the ERA owner said the ERA's and SPF's were/are "authentic" and KMP's weren't/aren't. CSX's were included in the discussion, but no mention of their authenticity by this ERA owner.

I thought that post was amusing, but the point is, if you don't know or care, then you simply don't know or care. And the only remaining matter is money.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

BTW, there was another thread several days ago, where an ERA owner compared the authenticity of the various Cobra manufacturers and the ERA owner said the ERA's and SPF's were/are "authentic" and KMP's weren't/aren't. CSX's were included in the discussion, but no mention of their authenticity by this ERA owner.

I thought that post was amusing, but the point is, if you don't know or care, then you simply don't know or care. And the only remaining matter is money.

I remember that post. I chalked it up to the guy having only seen a Kirkham that had some "funny" cutting-edge, state of the art stuff, that the Kirkhams do from time to time. You know, like the funny looking side pipes they designed, or what not. Or perhaps the car had had some flares done differently, it may have been heavily race prepped, who knows....

[rodneym]

Just an observation:
This site is much more entertaining than it was a little while ago.

[JBCOBRA]

Rod, I think you bought your car as more of an object of art to look at in the garage. Hey, nothing wrong with that if that is what it is about for you. All I care about is driving my car. That is what it is about for me.
Up to 16,000 miles now and just love driving it. I feel like I am driving for free, because I have had so much fun with it already and have already gotten way more than money's worth

[patrickt]

Perhaps he stumbled on this car and said "hey, that car doesn't look authentic to me!"

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by JBCOBRA

Rod, I think you bought your as more of an object of art to look at in the garage. Hey, nothing wrong with that if that is what it is about for you. All I care about is driving my car. That is what it is about for me.
Up to 16,000 miles now and just love driving it. I feel like I am driving for free, because I have had so much fun with it already and have already gotten way more than money's worth

We all get pleasure in the many things we do each day of our lives. I'm very happy that you enjoy driving your Cobra. I enjoy driving my Cobra when time allows and I enjoy going out to the garage and admiring it as well. I also enjoy the other things I do each and every day. As they say, life is beautiful.

If the OP cannot see the difference between the various manufacturers, then buying one that looks good, for the right amount of money and has very good customer service may be all that matters to him/her.

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

I enjoy driving my Cobra when time allows and I enjoy going out to the garage and admiring it as well. .

-Except for those monstrously heavy aluminum wheels...

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by rodneym

Just an observation:
This site is much more entertaining than it was a little while ago.

Depends on what "a little while ago" is. I think the site had become somewhat mundane/ordinary until PHC1 showed up and started asking a ton of questions which allowed for some "less technical" discussions.

I was reminded of the infamous "rsimoes" with all the various threads for his or her questions.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

-Except for those monstrously heavy aluminum wheels...

Might as well slam me for not having a SOHC motor too.

[JBCOBRA]

In fairness to the OP, it does take a while to figure out differences in these cars. I think he has only seen 2.
I figured out what car I wanted by driving them.

[REAL 1]

Originally Posted by rodneym

Just an observation:
This site is much more entertaining than it was a little while ago.

Yup. A simple thank you will do.

[rodneym]

Yup. I'll admit it.

[kobrabytes]

Originally Posted by PHC1

Well, I think I have a better understanding now of what a Cobra feels like and how much HP "I" would need after being a passenger in a Kirkham as well as trying a Superformance out from behind the wheel.. I would be more than OK between 400-450HP. They are fun machines but personally I would never try to push my luck too far in one of these.

Interestingly enough, IMHO, this is a question that you cannot answer until you have thousands of miles in the drivers seat. Initially what seems like a insane amount of power becomes less impressive and overwhelming once you get used to the performance. Honestly I could use a few hundred extra at times.

Ultimately with everything I've read on this thread it has NOTHING to do with how much HP your engine produces. It's having enough that you are not disappointed with the performance of your Cobra. Once you put it all together it's a bit harder to get large gains.

In the end EVERYTHING comes down to the driver. You could have a billion HP Cobra and still use the accelerator prudently. On the other hand you can kill yourself in a Ford Focus doing stupid things. Either way, build what you want, because you want it, and you get what YOU want. You don't really need to care about others opinions.

RE: Aluminum bodied Cobras...

I'm truly not trying to stir anything up here, but... I think the guys that "claim" glass is better than AL have never owned an aluminum Cobra. In the bare, they are the easiest body to maintain. Scratches and dents are relatively easy to deal with, and require no repainting. If you paint them, that changes the amount of work.

All that being said, build your dream and never look back!

len

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by kobrabytes

RE: Aluminum bodied Cobras...

I'm truly not trying to stir anything up here, but... I think the guys that "claim" glass is better than AL have never owned an aluminum Cobra. In the bare, they are the easiest body to maintain. Scratches and dents are relatively easy to deal with, and require no repainting. If you paint them, that changes the amount of work.

Well, you stirring the pot now.

I agree with you. Having owned a '66 Corvette Convertible for eons and eons, I think it's "six of one, half a dozen of the other."

Certainly there's absolutely no difference when they sit in a garage all the time.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Certainly there's absolutely no difference when they sit in a garage all the time.

... or if you use a magnet to tell them apart.

[Cashburn]

Originally Posted by patrickt

... or if you use a magnet to tell them apart.

Poor Patrick... all his family photos on the floor in front of his SubZero ...

[patrickt]

... not to mention the menu from our favorite Chinese place.

[JBCOBRA]

LOL Cash!
....and how come you can't get a Subzero with an ice and water dispenser

Originally Posted by Cashburn

Poor Patrick... all his family photos on the floor in front of his SubZero ...