Good point! Especially if you ask 10 people and get 15 opinions. You do not have the confidence during the first build to do what you want (and not what others want!).

It gets easier building the second one..

I'm actually on my third and find it's the most difficult. But I think that's because each one becomes more involved as you make changes you didn't do before.
Larry

Hi Larry!

Also true! I wanted more and more originality when building my later cars and ended up welding my own chassis and control arms, as well as getting uprights cast.

That does take longer...

It's like when you see a supermodel, and think. I would like one of those, and then find out the expense on maintenance, and on going expense.:D

I have been building motorcycles (Harleys) and cars since the 60's most body off resto's.Except for the time spent most were not much of a challenge.The Cobra kit on the other hand was more of a challenge.Dealing with the kit Co was very frustrating but made me more determined.In the end the wife always has said I was happier working on them then driving them,she is almost correct.The modifications were a challenge but Oh so worth it driving this car aggressively is what it is all about.

Been there too! Really takes away you build money!
Larry

"Kit"........ Actually describes those little plastic models that come in a box........does not describe a Cobra.....I've finished cars that had the body mounted out of alignment, some with suspension pieces upside down, and the list goes on.....I think too that a lot of guys get it to the drivable roller stage qnd then start spinning it around the block........that tends to halt progress...............
The first drive should only be when its finished...........Finished..!!!!!!.....

I've always wondered what percentage of these cars ever reach full street drive ability status. My guess is about 2/3 ?

I once heard 85% will not be finished. Well, maybe not by the original buyer.

I am just getting my kitchen dining area back now. There is a lot of boxes with parts either not used or pitched. My project invaded my living space after it filled up my 20 x20 garage.

I started a build in early '08 and then lost my job in November that year. In a panic, I sold my "kit" , along with a few motorcycles, at a huge loss to a friend (more on that later). I found a new job in early '09 and bought someone else's "kit" that was further along than I was in my build. He also took a loss from what he had invested.

My friend that bought my pile of parts made a couple changes to what I did, and then sold it to someone else, and last I heard he sold it to someone else. I haven't seen the chassis number on any of the forums, so my guess is that it's still not complete

If people ask me. I say I'm 90% finished, so I've only got 50% left to go.:rolleyes:

John Smith always wanted a Cobra, so he buys Stage-1 of a kit. John loses interest and the kit sits taking up valuable space in the garage for a several years. As years pass by and the new version update of the kit comes out, or the company goes out of business. John Smith then decides its all too much of a pain in the arse, friends stop coming over to see progress, so John sells it to free up space in the garage for something else. **)

There is a difference between never getting started or progressing on a build and just taking a long (long) time to finish. I bought my ERA in raw replica form and even did the bonding and riveting myself. Since I also did all the body work and painting that dragged in out, expecially working out of a slightly oversize residential garage. Things come up - bought as a retirement project over 3-1/2 years ago, my employer decided they had not had enough of me and hired me back. I actually just finished up 40 hrs/wk as a re-hire and retired a second time last week. That slowed me up a lot. Then we added a pool last year and I try to do as much labor on everything as I can muster - layout, re-routing sprinkler, dressing soil, laying sod, landscaping, minor electrical, wanted a small pool house, etc. There went a few months.

After 3-1/2 years of building off and on, I finally got the motor running and car moving under it's own power in and out of the garage in August. But, the expansion tank leaks, one brake can leaks, the top loader cover plate gasket is seeping, the clutch engagement throw was too long, the black ceramic coating on the primary pipes failed and they have to be completely removed and returned to be re-plated. Charging system still isn't charging. So at this point I'm going more backwards than forward.

But, I will get it finished if I live long enough and stay mobile enough. And actually I probably enjoy working on cars as much or more so than just maintaining them. :)

Should only be driven when Finished, not possible for a lot of us. Once our car was ready and safe enough took it around the neighborhood to get an idea of how everything was going to work together. Each time the car was taken out the confidence was building and the drives longer.Each time would find things that were not quite right.Car was driveable after 3 yrs finished it in maybe 5 yrs. The two yrs of dialing the car in for example,changed out to aluminum heads and intake,custom built racing headers, upgraded to Willwood brakes,5 speed Tremec,regeared 9",redid interior to all leather etc etc.

Also there are a growing number of "finished" cars that haven't seen the light of day in a long time. The economy has a lot to do with these.

This is what I have observed, and this isn't just kit cars, but any car build.

I think some of the issue have already been discussed so I won't recant those.

Sometimes people get started on a project, its new, and they have a lot of energy, and dreams about the day they will drive it.

Then they start to take what they were going to do too far, like powder coating the frame, or changing out the live axle for an independent. Building a bigger, stronger engine than was first conceived.

I call that the snowball effect of which I have been guilty. Then over time, and money the project, along with a wife that don't understand why you always have to modify a $2k part to fit, starts to drag on you. You have to MAKE yourself go out to the extremely hot, or cold garage to work on it.

Then you have the too good to be true deals, that you just have to jump on. A local guy puts a 68 Mustang fastback for sale at a really cheap price so you buy it. Now the money and time that was allocated to the main project is diverted to the new project.

Like I said earlier, the new project is NEW so you have all of that adrenaline for the new car so you put all of your energy into it, putting the earlier project on the back burner.

Then there is the time factor. I have been working on an Eleanor Mustang for over ten years now. Bad part is that its really pretty much done. All I have to do is wire up a few relays for the fuel pumps, and hook the hoses to the F1R supercharger which sits on top of a 540fe tunnelport engine, and I can at least drive it out of the garage. BUT, those last little things seem so mundane that I keep putting them off.

Here is a guy who I've been following for a few years now. He's building a really radical 80's model Mazda truck. But, IMO, he is in the taking it waaaaay to far crowd. I would like to see him finish, but I don't think it ever will be.

Here is his videos, there are over thirty so you can watch them one at a time as they are pretty interesting , and the kid does have some really good fab skills.

Midmounted Mazda Minitruck - Day 1 - YouTube

I just read through the thread of why you guys have unfinished builds. I have watched my father build two and brother build one. So, I have been around guys like you for the past 2 decades. Actually, I had the pleasure of my bedroom butting up to the single car garage where my dad built his cars. Now, that the business has been handed over to me, I am going to find a way to help you guys. I want to have a monthly drawing where I can help some of you guys. How about a monthly wish list. I got my first one emailed to me yesterday. Just send me your wish list at e.alibrandi@att.net. I'm really looking for guys that really need the help and don't have the money. I will print all the emails and review them throughout the month and if there are some parts we can donate, we will! We want everyone to be able to fulfill their dreams of finishing their cobra. I am really excited about joining the cobra community!

Happy Motoring,

Jackie
Finish Line
cobra, nardi, moto-lita, mini cooper, ferrari, shifter carts, parts and accessories from Finish Line
e.alibrandi@att.net

That is a really nice offer. Makes me want to buy more stuff from Finish Line, as I get ready to sort through my own build.

I bought a large pile-o-parts from another vendor and some of them were drop shipped from Finish Line. One of the parts was a bit damaged so I told the vendor about it and Finish Line sent another out immediately no questions asked. You couldn't ask for better service.