Took plunge, grabbed bull, mortgaged retirement........

[indianamoon]

Haven't had a sports car since the big D 19 years ago, and always wanted a Cobra, ever since my dad talked my out of an original 427 in the early 70's for the astronomical sum of $3500.. Yeppurr, that's two zero's instead of five.

So finally jumped in the deep end and bought one. Not sure what I bought, think that I will be OK, but need some help from the knowledge base here. This car has been thru a number of owners, no build book, no history, and the previous owner was unable to ascertain the manufacturer, so thought that you all could help.



Notice the strange roll bar bracing. Looked at pics of literally hundreds of replicas for sale over the past months, and don't remember ever seeing one just like this.

I don't have the car in my hot little hands as of yet, but should by the end of the week, when I can provide additional pics and more information, but thought that what I have may be enough for some one out there to tell what it is that I have gotten myself into.......

I did not get the top, frame, side curtains, or tonneau, so have been starting to look and noticed that this car has three ferrules for the side curtains instead of the usual two. Is this an indication of the maker?





Also, the seller tells me that the wheelbase is 92 inches and the year of manufacture is 1997

Thought that a couple of views of the front of the engine bay might help determine the source also:





Not sure whose steering wheel that is, but I just gotta have a wood one. If somebody can id the wheel and give me an idea of disassembly proceedures, I would appreciate that. Would trade for wooden one if anybody is so inclined. Also, that shift lever has got to go. Will need a short stubby one if anyone has one laying around. Or a source. Tranny is a Tremec 5 speed.

Also looking for advice on an insurance carrier. My agent, bless his heart, severly underquoted the premium before I plunked down the cash for the car, and came back with a bill 5, yes 5 times his quote. I now consider this a temporary policy.

Thanx in advance for all the help that I know I will get

[DanEC]

It looks like a B&B although the dash is not their usual dash. I understand the LA Exotic was to a large extent, the same car and eventually progressed to B&B through a sell or spilit up of owners - not sure. So it might be either of them. B&B is still in business.

Try Midwest Collectors Insurance for coverage. They advertise on the forum and know replica cars and are a good value.

[MOTORHEAD]

Looks to be well built (front end welds & layout). MGB rack. Clean engine install.
3 side curtain ferrules is normal (original)
Roll bar rear brace just looks like it goes further aft than normal.
Verify 92" wheelbase.
First on to-do list: Put some rake in that windshield !
Good luck and welcome to the insanity !!!

Ted

ps: where in IN. are you ?

[Bryan Anderson]

this Is an older B&B Cobra please take a look at *B&B Manufacturing - :::: - Feel the Thunder - :::: - Hotrods from Kit to Turn Key - :::: and look in the owners group Photo section and you will see that this Is One of our cars. Please let me Know If you need any information on the car.

Bryan

[marcocsx3121]

If you had a shot at an original 427 for $3500 in "the early seventies", you walked away from a world class deal. CSX 3121 went for $23k in 1975, and that was without any of the spares.

[Mark IV]

I passed on CSX 3327 in 1974 as I choked on financing $3000 of the $6500 I had to pay.......it was owned buy the person who had owned thirty-three twenty-six when it was wrecked and 3327 purchased with the insurance settlement in 1970.

(See there IS a way t get the CSX number to post!)

[marcocsx3121]

I actually financed all of the $6k I paid for 3121 in 1969 using a "personal loan for medical expenses" after Citibank refused to lend money on a car that they never heard of.