My First Cobra - Dallas, TX

austin.minter15 · #1 (**permalink**) 12-06-2014, 03:41 PM

Today I purchased the car of my dreams, a Shell Valley 1967 427 Cobra kit with a 390 Ford big block and a 4-speed toploader. The car didn't come without its issues, but the ability for me to fix, fiddle, and finish it the way that I want is what drew me to the car in the first place.

I have restored and worked on several classics over the years, but this Cobra is a complete mystery to me and I look forward to learning about this car in the near future as I make it mine. My goal with the car is for it be visually as original as possible and to have a screamin' performance car underneath.

There are a few questions that I was hoping to get some help with. I do not know if this is the right section of the site as this is my first post so please let me know if I am posting in the wrong place.

First, the car has some paint issues that I will be looking to get fixed. Does anyone have a recommended place in the Dallas area that does good work on Cobra's?

Another thing that needs to get attention soon is the dash, only a couple of the gauges work and I would like to replace them all with Smiths units as they are currently hot rod style gauges that just don't look right in a Cobra. For this and any other parts that I will be needing that are as true to original as possible, does anyone have a recommended supplier?

The carpet in my car seems to have just been laid in the car and not attached at any point and definitely not trimmed around the edges, are there any interior shops in the Dallas area that have experience with Cobra's?

And lastly, for the mechanical things that I am not able to figure out, does anyone know a mechanic or shop that has experience with Cobra's in the Dallas area.

I will try to post some pictures of my "new" Cobra in the coming days and I look forward to any help that I can get. Thanks guys, I am so excited I'm about to just pop!!! I never imagined that I would own a Cobra, how cool is that?!?

Shootnride · #2 (**permalink**) 12-07-2014, 05:59 AM

[quote=austin.minter15;1328785] Another thing that needs to get attention soon is the dash, only a couple of the gauges work and I would like to replace them all with Stewart Warner units as they are currently hot rod style gauges that just don't look right in a Cobra. For this and any other parts that I will be needing that are as true to original as possible, does anyone have a recommended supplier?QUOTE]

Austin,

If you want original Cobra gauges, these are the guys:

Nisonger Instruments :: the exclusive Smiths U.S. Warranty & Service Center since 1949

Congratulations on your new obsession

Ted

NewYorkGuy · #3 (**permalink**) 12-07-2014, 08:24 AM

congrats on your new toy!

since not many members have offered advice, here's mine

If you look at your car as a hot rod, you will spend less and drive more.

if you look at your car as a "cobra", you will spend more and drive less.

Take your car to Gas Monkey Garage. They actually do know how to fix cars and Sue does interiors for all types of cars.

happy driving!
nyg

Texasdoc · #4 (**permalink**) 12-07-2014, 09:45 AM

Anywhere but Gas Monkey Garage. I enjoy their show but wouldn't take my cobra (or an Edsel) to them. There are a few recommendations already posted on this site (search is your friend), but please don't take it to GMG.

austin.minter15 · #5 (**permalink**) 12-07-2014, 10:38 AM

Thanks for the help guys, keep it coming if you have any more advice!

Bernica · #6 (**permalink**) 12-07-2014, 10:59 AM

Congrats and welcome!

Check out Finishline for the stuff you need. Also, get to know the guys at the local Texas Cobra Club to steer you the right direction.

Finish Line Accessories

There are plenty of folks here that can help you along the way.

Seagull81 · #7 (**permalink**) 12-07-2014, 01:34 PM

Welcome Austin,
I can't answer your question about Dallas, but Finishline has a bunch of parts as well as other vendors on this site. Plenty of folks to help you spend money as well. You have to watch out for us.
You might want to join us at the end of March for the annual Texas Cobra Club Meet in San Marcos.
2015 Texas Cobra Club Spring Meet Registration is now OPEN!!!
Hope to see you there.

cycleguy55 · #8 (**permalink**) 12-07-2014, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewYorkGuy

If you look at your car as a hot rod, you will spend less and drive more.

if you look at your car as a "cobra", you will spend more and drive less.

I bought mine to drive. While it has a body that looks like a Cobra, my primary goal is making it fun to drive so I can get out there and use it. I want to maximize my smiles per gallon (SPG).

Bernica · #9 (**permalink**) 12-07-2014, 02:29 PM

See how it works here? Nice. You are in good company here.

patrickt · #10 (**permalink**) 12-07-2014, 02:55 PM

Just take it real easy for the first year or two. If you flip that baby, the asphalt scrapes off everything from the top of your shoulders on up....

CBattaglia · #11 (**permalink**) 12-07-2014, 03:08 PM

Congratulations. You just bought the best car ever!

Bernica · #12 (**permalink**) 12-07-2014, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

Just take it real easy for the first year or two. If you flip that baby, the asphalt scrapes off everything from the top of your shoulders on up....

And that is "Nice Patrick" talking. You will get used to him. I hope you have a tough skin for this forum.

austin.minter15 · #13 (**permalink**) 12-07-2014, 04:22 PM

Yah, I've got tough skin. And if you've got to go, going in a Cobra isn't a bad way to do it...

mptech · #14 (**permalink**) 12-07-2014, 05:02 PM

I think your best bet is to join your local Cobra Club, I've always found Cobra Guys extremely knowledgeable and willing to help.

dallas_ · #15 (**permalink**) 12-07-2014, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mptech

I think your best bet is to join your local Cobra Club,

Yep, you just missed us. The Dallas area club meets the first Saturday of each month. Look in the Texas Cobra Club area the last week of the month for the time and place.

Welcome to the group. I think you'll find the guys really helpful.

John

Seagull81 · #16 (**permalink**) 12-07-2014, 06:47 PM

There is also aTx Cobra Club Facebook page

G-Pete · #17 (**permalink**) 12-08-2014, 04:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

Just take it real easy for the first year or two.

Frankly, if you need a year (not even talking two) to get "used" to that car - you have no business to drive that car.

These two morons do NOT belong in a car like that - even when they drive them for years they have no concept nor the skills......

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqcfA9tuanI"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqcfA9tuanI[/ame]

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7pKSQ-I1kQ"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7pKSQ-I1kQ[/ame]

austin.minter15 · #18 (**permalink**) 12-08-2014, 05:03 AM

Seagull81, I found and joined the facebook group last night. I look forward to meeting some of y'all in the future!

And G-Pete, I guess the lesson there is not to listen to the "kids" standing next to you yelling at you to "light it up!"

madmaxx · #19 (**permalink**) 12-08-2014, 05:07 AM

Why do you need a garage? These cars are so simple there is no reason not to fix yourself!!!!

austin.minter15 · #20 (**permalink**) 12-08-2014, 05:11 AM

I was hoping to find a local shop that "does it all" so that I can take my car there for alignment, tire mounting, and other small stuff that I can't do in my garage. I agree, these are simple cars but there are certain things that you just can't do in a 2-car garage...

My car also needs some body work done to it, which I definitely do not want to try (again).