Buying my first Cobra

[cycleguy55]

There is a 'Community' for West Coast owners in Club Cobra - you should check that out and perhaps subscribe to updates.

FWIW, I have a West Coast that was completed in 1991. It has the original Mustang II front end (with Energy Suspension urethane bushings) and a Torino 9" rear. 460 CI with a Richmond Gear 5 Speed Street transmission. Lots of fun, though there are a few quirks to it (e.g. brutal seats with no lateral or lumbar support, Ford steering column with horn on turn signal lever, difficult access to brake and clutch cylinders, useless stereo, wide rear fenders susceptible to stone chips). I have a number of upgrades planned, including 11" drilled and slotted discs all around, remote reservoirs for brakes & clutch, PowerTrax No-Slip locker, better gas tank, steering column).

I certainly was aware of how the WC Cobra was a less authentic replica than many others, but I will tell you it gets lots of attention when I take it out. People gush over it and most have not idea how to tell whether it's a replica or an original, much less distinguish among replicas. With the longer wheelbase it's more of a cruiser and street car but, as I've told many people, I would have bought a different car if I was intending to take it to the track.

As other have said (and will say), decide what you want to do with it and go from there. Also, be prepared to get your hands dirty and work on it. I've been fortunate in being able to do almost all of the work myself, and expect to do most of the planned upgrades as well. I think Cobras are like marriages - they require a lot of work to keep them fresh, and sometimes it's dirty and unpleasant.

[Kip Steed]

The car was built in 1991 as well. I am mainly looking for a car to drive around town. Not much into shows and displaying it all the time. He has refreshed the motor about a year ago and replaced the Nash tranny with a Tremec 5 600. Also a new ignition and new rack and pinnion steering. Old one was leaking he said.

I noticed that the steering column was not like the rest I've seen and it doesn't have a tilt option, so it sits very low for my height, and the stock seats suck. The throw out bearing is leaking so he is putting a new one in. Because of that, I haven't been able to drive it yet, but it looks beautiful. I will try and post some pics, not sure how though. Because I know him, he is asking $32K for it. It sounds like a fair price.

I am not a guy who loves to work on cars, so I am a little nervous about buying something that I will always have to tinker with.

Am I barking up the wrong tree with one of these?

Thanks, Kip

[1795]

Kip, it is a rare cobra that does not require some tinkering with at one time or another. The amount and degree of tinkering does vary quite a bit. If you are looking at a car that historically needed a lot of tinkering, than that may continue. If you have a car that only needed minor tinkering and up keep it might be a better choice. It is hard to say. It is also difficult to predict how much up keep a car with only 500-1500 miles will require, as it has not even been broken in yet. Go slow, and look closely. Bill, Mrmustang, has a good list of things to consider. There are plenty of cobras out there.

Good luck.

Jim

[G-Pete]

Originally Posted by Kip Steed

The car was built in 1991 as well

To put it in words, all of the cars parts are a minimum of 23 (!!) years old. Most builders use a donor which has some mileage on it or it's a crashed and a few years old.

Originally Posted by Kip Steed

Because I know him, he is asking $32K for it. It sounds like a fair price.

No kit car that or other brand is worth $32k not running and that age with issues.

Originally Posted by Kip Steed

Am I barking up the wrong tree with one of these?
Thanks, Kip

In my opinion - YES!

Originally Posted by Kip Steed

I am mainly looking for a car to drive around town. Not much into shows and displaying it all the time.

Get a Porsche 911 (996) convertible. If you spend $30K you get a low mileage car with all bells and whistles.



You need to love a Cobra - otherwise she will bite you. Cobra time is not only on the road....






No offense, it sees to me you are not a Cobra guy - sorry to be so blunt, but this keeps you from a great disappointment.


GP