Pre-owned Cobra for someone with no mechanical experience?

[66gtk]

If you select a Cobra with an FE engine I would add that you should insist on using a mechanic with experience working on FE engines. If you get a car with a small block Ford engine, your net for finding qualified mechanics gets a bit larger. These cars are no more complicated than other old cars like a 60s Mustang. Your enjoyment with a Cobra as a non-tinkerer will be best served with a properly sorted car for your initial purchase. These can prove to be harder to find than most may think. For example, a 15 year old Cobra with only 2,000 miles will NOT be a properly sorted car if you are buying it without a record of recent maintenance. Most of these cars do more "sitting" than driving. The longer they "sit", the less sorted they will be for you and the more you may end up paying your mechanic to figure out how to get it reliable for the road.

[Mark IV]

I would suggest that the "FE" is only problematic if you need to go internal. I have seen lots of issues with people putting the rocker pedestals in and not knowing that one bolt is undercut as the oil feed is via the space created there.

As to tuning, timing, etc. the FE is really no different than any other late 50's engine and in fact is simpler than say a MEL 430 as there is no combination oil pump/vacuum pump, etc. that the MEL series had.

[Snake2998]

If you are concerned about reliability steer away from highly modified motors - in general the closer to standard the motor the more reliable it is. A standard 300HP motor will stress other parts of the car less and need less maintenance than a highly tuned 600 HP one of same make and type. And 300Hp is still fun in these cars.

[120mm]

Mechanical "skill" is not a "talent".

There is no reason you cannot learn some basics.

There is also nothing intrinsically complex about most of these cars.

The newest car I currently own is a 1967 Mustang. I don't have a problem driving it every day. It's simple and fairly reliable, esp. when I replace all the rubber bits that have dry rotted over the years.

Once a car is sorted out, classic or kit, they shouldn't be "money pits" unless you let them sit for long periods of time, or abuse them.

[Ozzie Goat]

For the most part 'money pit' just won't happen.

I believe you need to be mechanically curious. Many things can need tweaking or periodic maintenance. With these cars it's often easier to DIY

The challenge can be figuring out where some parts are sourced from when replacement is warranted.

To me, fiddling with the Cobra is part of the enjoyment.
Rumbling in idle at stoplights is another.

[twobjshelbys]

One of the attributes of a Cobra is that they are "tinkerer's delight". There will always be something loose or in need of adjustment. As some say, even just sitting in your garage.

If you want something you can drive, park, drive, fill with gas, drive, have someone change the oil, drive, park, etc. then buy a new Mustang. If you want something you can sink untold amounts of money paying someone else to do services try a Ferrari. But if you don't want to work on your car as much as you drive it, don't buy a Cobra.

[snapier]

I have a Superformance (SP01400) and after in-winterizing last year it would not start after sitting for 6 months in my garage after two weeks of trouble shooting I found out that I had a problem with both distributor pickup module and Duraspark ignition module.
So yes, you could expect problems anytime. SCOF Superformace owner form has a world of information.

[leon]

SS,
There are Lots of well built used ones you can find. Don't go for one that's priced to inexpensive.
Find a good garage or get to know a car guy that is kowledegable about cars,you can trust,have them check some out even if it costs you a few dollars. Money well spent.
A lot of the guys on this could walk you through most minor repairs you may have to do. As long as this isn't a daily driver if it take 2 weeks to minor task it doesn't matter.
I may be selling mine in a month or two
Depending on your budget you could have one built too.
Hope this helps
Not all at guys know a lot about cars but can still love cool cars

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by Super.Snake

BTW, I'm leaning towards a pre-owned Superformance, will be a weekend driver. I'm in the Philly area.

Thanks!

Where in the Philly area, NJ (Cherry Hill, north, south, etc), west of KOP, north of the city, or ???


I ask as there are specific mechanics in those specific areas that can assist you with whatever your potential car may need. Knowing your general local is half the battle to pointing you in the right direction.


Bill S

[Buzz]

Wow - we're not talking about vintage Ferraris here! No matter how badly Cobra owners would like to believe it, there is absolutely nothing exotic about the vast majority of Cobra replicas, and the only exceptions to that are the ones that have exotic drivetrain components installed by the owner or builder (think cammer motors or specialized and rare transmissions, etc.)

The only area of specialized knowledge that is required is in the selection process - you either need to have done some research or consult with others who know the brands you are considering so that you know what parts and components are used in the build. Outside of that there are few cars on the road that are as simple with nothing but basic mechanical and electrical systems.

In your case, having chosen Superformance as your preferred brand, you and your mechanic will have access to all the info you will need to maintain and repair your car.

These cars are about as basic and uncomplicated as a car can get. If you are so inclined, the skills and knowledge you will need to acquire in order to perform 95% of the routine work on your replica are so simple that literally anyone can do it.

The only catch is to go in with the knowledge that your "new" car is old tech and will require attention like checking and tightening and a bit of tuning here and there, depending on the type of engine and its level of modification.

[Dimis]

I'm with buzz. - It ain't that hard, nor are they that complicated.

You're all freaking the guy out over nothing.
We're talking about a toy car.

SS - If you can afford it, and are keen, give it a go!
You'll love it, or hate it.

What's the worst that could happen?
You'll hate it... you'd probably flip it for the same price you paid.
Or You'll love it....!!!

Either way you'll never know unless you give it a go.

[kevins2]

I'm also in the Philly area and you're welcome to check out my car, although it isn't a Superformance. If you're west of the City, there's a very good mechanic in the West Chester area. He's owned an A&C Cobra for about 20 years.

Kevin

[Super.Snake]

I'm in Bucks County, north of Philly. Know of any local clubs? I can't find any here.

Thanks.

[kevins2]

Originally Posted by Super.Snake

I'm in Bucks County, north of Philly. Know of any local clubs? I can't find any here.

Thanks.

Check out the Tri-State Cobra Club (there is a listing of clubs in this site's index). Here's info that Mr. Mustang posted on their most recent breakfast - just missed it, March 12th, but will give you the location they frequent:

March NJ/PA Cobra Breakfast

No club in my immediate area, but there are about 10 or so cobras (including a few Superformance) that get together for rides. We typically ride on the country roads between West Chester and Lancaster and include a brunch or lunch stop. One of the guys who usually participates drives a Superformance and has put over 80,000 miles on it over 13 years.

Kevin

[MCoop]

SuperSnake,

I am in Berlin, NJ-about 20 miles east of Philly. I own a Superformance. You are more than welcome to stop by to check it out.

[GBowman]

SS

Come check out my car (it's for sale), I live in Voorhees NJ. Its on a lift in my garage so you can give a good look. These cars are simple to work on, don't even worry about that. I have several top notch mechanics in our area that can work on the entire car though you shouldn't have much to do in a well sorted high quality car. I will send you a PM.

[Super.Snake]

Great! Thanks!

Nice to see that there are a few in the area. Once we get some nice weather, I'll connect w/a couple of you to see if I can check out your cars and get some input.

[Clutt gt]

8 years ago When my father and I started our restoration of a Cobra replica many told us that it was too far gone and to give up. We were two carpenter/ contractors that had hardly changed oil. But with determination, some coin, and the help of local car club members we restored a fire damaged Cobra replica. It's been on the road 4 years, 4000miles and I love the car.
Some of the reviews are spot on.
The cars are sensory overload to drive. You feel everything in the wheel, every bump every curve. The throttle is very sensitive to input, you press they go, fast. When the back end starts to come out, it will pass you before you realized it was coming.
Then you have the cold, the wind, the smells
I have started a drive with my winter coat, toque, and gloves. By the time I got home, sun burn and dehydration. Best drive ever.
It's exhausting but it's the best drivers car ever.