Middle aged Newbie...where to find a rear exhaust car?

[RMally]

The brakes have been on for a long, long time...but I appreciate what you mean.

Thanks for the input on the other brands. Regarding the classic roadster, what's different about the body? Is it "stretched" or longer than say a FFR? I did some searching but found nothing. I'll look over at the CR section as well.

One last question for the Slabside guys.....Is it even possible to find one of these cars in the $35-$40K range? That would be for a completed car, used, pre-owned, ready to drive etc....not a kit that needs assembly.

Thanks,

[RMally]

Well fellas, I finally am a cobra owner. My car will be delivered this Friday. I know I initially wanted a rear exhaust car but after several test rides I'm in love with the side pipes.

Thanks for everyones input, as soon as the car gets here I'll throw up some photo's.

[Bartruff1]

It is not difficult to find a used street Cobra without a roll bar, side exhaust or hood scoops....I did and I like it a lot better than the SC...it is more a question of what you are willing to pay....

Most manufacturers will build you a street model or put you in touch with someone who will.

I looked into modifying my SC and concluded that it would be a major PIA staring with the headers and the holes in the sides...there is a thread in here titled "rerouting the exhaust" you might read.

You can contact Cobra Country and they will notify you when they have one listed for sale...

A slab side would be my choice if cost were no problem...but at some point it is .....I won't insert a photo but you can double click and check mine out ...

[FrankR105]

I was going to chime in singing the praises of side pipes, then you sounded pretty convinced you wanted rear exhaust. Now that you opted for a car with side pipes, let me address the problem you seemed to originally have with them - heat and burns. You can get heat shields, if it doesn't already have them - made of perforated metal formed at a radius to surround the pipe/muffler with an air gap. You can also get the header/pipe assembly ceramic coated which not only looks great (if kept clean), but also tends to insulate the heat from getting to the surface of the pipe. Mine is surprisingly cool to the touch.
Just my $0.02.

[RMally]

Thanks Frank and Bart,

I noticed last week during some test rides that I just have to adopt a standard protocol for getting in and out.....I'm sure there will be those days when you just forget and get the ole bite.

I'm going to thoroughly enjoy this FFR roadster and then maybe next spring look into a 289 kit or slab and have a work in progress while also having a car to drive. That would be the best of both worlds....two cobra's!

I appreciate all the help over the last month, I'm sure as a new owner I will have lots of questions.

[Bartruff1]

Well you will never be bored with that car....they are unique ...

I have owned quite a few high performance cars in my (long) life, but none that have the animal spirits that a Cobra has....

it is a thrill every time you fire it up and that is a accurate description when it starts ...

I suspect you will find yourself simply going to the garage to look at it... those lines are timeless .

As for the calf burns, a friend of mine wore his with pride and it was always a conversation starter at parties.....

Welcome to the madness...

[awfink55]

Side Exhaust pipes.......for fear that "The Boss" would burn her legs, I wrapped the pipes with heat resistance exhaust manifold fiberglass wrap. Then put the slotted shields over the wrappings. Now, even after some spirited driving the sidepipes are warm to the touch, but not hot enough to give you a bad burn.........