Who owns a Contemporary? - Page 4

MIKE SCHULZ · #1 (**permalink**) 08-20-2004, 08:58 AM

Gentlemen;I`m glad to read about so many Contemporary owners out there!.I Purchased # 3-3627 Earlier this year out of San Jose California and it came as a Frame+Suspension.I am Seeking a Body for my project.I have found out that Singer Racing out of Palm Springs can manufacture one for me,but I am asking for all fellow Contemporary owners help in trying to locate a Body for me.Someone out there may know of one sitting in someones garage or hanging from a ceiling.Can anyone help me??. Thankyou in advance...Mike Schulz

westchester · #2 (**permalink**) 08-20-2004, 09:44 AM

Mike the thread 'Contemporary Body Wanted' started by 'super_cobra427' may help.

timsullivan · #3 (**permalink**) 09-05-2004, 10:23 PM

I purchased my Contemporary CCX-3-3408 in April of this year from the second owner who lives nearby in Irvine, California. He said and I believe its true, that the car was professionally built by some shop in Arizona as the car has an Assigned Identification Number, issue by Arizona affixed to the front frame. The car is currently registered as a "1965 Ford" with the California DMV. Appears to have a built 350 Chevy (angled plug heads, aluminum Bowtie intake, Edlebrock 4 bbl, headers with sidepipes) which runs extremely strong. Dual remote oil filters mounted behind the front cross member. The rear gears are extremely steep at about 4:11, Jag XKE series 1 front and rear suspension, Muncie 4 speed with the correct reverse angled mustang shifter, white body with the twin darker blue racing stripes.

When I purchased it, it was in serious need of complete maintenance with numerous water, fuel and oil leaks. After replacing all the hoses and fabricating the copper intermediate pipe, lower water hose connection, tightening up the front timing cover and oil pan bolts and replacing a fuel line I was all set. Also had a serious front end shimmy that I ultimately traced down to two slightly bent front wheels (of course only after replacing all tires and rebuilding the front suspension!).

My daily driver is a 2001 Z06 and I have owned numerous other high performance cars ranging from a 1967 427 Vette that I did a complete frame off restoration on to a 911 Porsche, Miata, Firebird Formula, BMW M3, MGB, '67 Nova Super Sport among many others and to be truthful this just might be the one car I keep for the rest of my life as I truly enjoy it that much. This is the best compromise yet for a true, traditional open sports car with muscle car performance. Finally after vacilating all my life between sports cars and muscle cars I found the best compromise!

Next steps I'm considering include converting to a street 427 Cobra version with under car exhaust, getting rid of the racing stripes and sidepipes. I was originally going for an ERA kit and had accumulated all the parts to make a nasty, original 428 Cobra Jet motor, with a low riser and dual Holleys but this damn small block Chevy runs so sweet and strong the 428 and parts are collecting dust in my garage! Contemporary truly makes (made?) an exceptional, original cobra replica. When those Superformance guys give me trouble I tell them "Let's compare convertible tops". Contemporary's convertible top and sliding windows is much more closer to the original Cobra far and away and frankly is not an embarrassment to be seen in like the Superformance version. Maybe that's why they never put the top up on them?

badrich · #4 (**permalink**) 09-06-2004, 10:15 AM

What's a top?

HSSS427 · #5 (**permalink**) 09-10-2004, 10:08 AM

Hi all,
I'm looking at joining the Contemporary group with a purchase in the near future. Was wondering what people's experience has been with the higher mile / older Contemporaries? Any notable issues or concerns with the frame, body, electrical, or suspension? Basically trying to determine how concerned I should be about higher mileage cars and what I might be in for as far as repair and upgrades as the car gets older. Also, has anyone run into issues with parts availability since Contemporary is no longer around?
Thanks!
Scott

timsullivan · #6 (**permalink**) 09-10-2004, 12:24 PM

My Contemporary appers to have been built in '89 or '90 and has about 62k miles on it. Eveything appears to have held up extremely well with the exception of the brake master cylinder which was leaking and was replaced. My pedal assembly hangs down from the top pf the footwell and the brake master cylinder, which is combined with the clutch master cylinder, turned out to be from an early '60's Chevy or International pick up truck. I have also rebuilt the front suspension which is based upon an early Jag Series one XKE. Other then these couple of areas everything else has been great. The body shows no stress cracks, doors work fine, etc. A truly first grade, high quality reproduction that has stood the test of time very well. I would buy another one in a New York minute.

Mosrite · #7 (**permalink**) 04-10-2005, 12:09 PM

I bought mine 9 years ago from Dayan House of Cobras. It's a Contemp body on a L.A. Exotics frame. Ever hear of that? Had the double roll bar, but I lopped that off when I had it repainted. 351c, 4 speed toploader, 9 in rear....
Just won my first 1st place yesterday!!!!

Eljaro · #8 (**permalink**) 04-10-2005, 01:14 PM

Another Contemporary(CCX33742) here in Spain.
I had it built in 1992, and used it ever since.
427 center Oiler with Dove F5 alloy heads,
TKO600, jag supension fore and aft, a beautifull car which runs very well .
And races well too.

Three Peaks · #9 (**permalink**) 04-10-2005, 03:11 PM

I had a chance to visit with a guy in town who had some Cobra parts for sale. After visiting awhile, he opened his trailer and he had the most gorgeous Contemporary I've ever seen.
Red paint, 427 FE with turkey pan, Jag rear end and I believe front suspension, just about as original as an original CSX car if you know what I mean. It would be difficult to tell it from an original, with the knock off wheels and all.
The body was just gorgeous and amazingly solid. I still can't get over how nice it was. He said something about selling it in the near future. He also has a CSX frame and Shelby body going up for sale very soon- I believe with the CAV body. I was blown away at how clean the bodies are right out of the mold. They would take almost no blocking to get them to the primer/paint stage.
Very nice cars- a morning well spent IMHO- Bob

CCX133 · #10 (**permalink**) 04-10-2005, 11:17 PM

Well I had CCX 3133, until last Nov. when it was stolen. So now I have a title to a Contemporary , can I still join the club???

oldmachdriver · #11 (**permalink**) 04-21-2005, 07:41 PM

just bought it in NH now its on its way here in ellabell GA, Boss351, top loader 4sp, definately a rocketship!...cant wait to cruise these great nights with it....now to find some one to insure it....damn insurance companies, something about fatalities in these roadsters....

1985 CCX · #12 (**permalink**) 05-07-2005, 08:33 AM

CCX Owners,

I am new to the group. I have chassis # 062582, still trying to locate the body#. The car was built by a Jaguar dealer for the founder of Columbo Yogurt, Bob Columbosian. It is powered by 351C, third plant 1st was too powerful for him and the second was out of a Pantera and had issues. Has torsion front with standard Jag rear. Connolly leather, Wilton Wool, Smiths, and most of the right things. Bob was not short on cash!

Today the car needs some TLC, mostly easy stuff, and is well on the way to getting back on the road. Very nice body lines and handling is excellent.

I live in Southern NH, anyone else in the area? If so let me know so we can swap ideas and tails of legedary cars.

Jeff

REAL 1 · #13 (**permalink**) 05-07-2005, 09:18 PM

Weren't Burtis cars sold as Burtis cars with Burtis on the MSO? Didn't Burtis make some changes/improvements (claimed) to the chassis. It seems funny that Burtis would go through all that effort to buy Contemporary change the name to Burtis and then turn around and sell the cars as Contemporarys.

Isn't a Burtis a Burtis and a Contemporary is a Contemporary?.

John McMahon · #14 (**permalink**) 05-08-2005, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by REAL 1

Weren't Burtis cars sold as Burtis cars with Burtis on the MSO? Didn't Burtis make some changes/improvements (claimed) to the chassis. It seems funny that Burtis would go through all that effort to buy Contemporary change the name to Burtis and then turn around and sell the cars as Contemporarys.

Isn't a Burtis a Burtis and a Contemporary is a Contemporary?.

Evan,

Its whatever I want to call it...pretty much the same thing as you do.

REAL 1 · #15 (**permalink**) 05-08-2005, 08:09 AM

John: Thanks so much for your resposive reply. But as to your comment, sorry, not exactly. I call mine a Shelby Cobra which is what was on my MSO.

If the MSO says Burtis. Its a Burtis. Not a Contemporary. Sorry.

Thats the way it works.

P.S. Maybe you should've bought the ERA like Gary suggested.

John McMahon · #16 (**permalink**) 05-08-2005, 08:18 AM

Evan,

Ye Olde Master of his own Domain....

I'm quite happy with the Contemporary. Whatever you or Gary think I should have bought means nothing to me.

I have a REAL question for you....

Who wrote up the ad for your CSX? I know it wasn't you. I'm betting it was Gary or Billy Andrews.

Fred Douglass · #17 (**permalink**) 05-08-2005, 08:23 AM

to die for! I'm schlumping along with a 408 stroker Cleveland. We're switching to a fuel injection set-up and "Australian" heads. Trying for (maybe) 500 square, compat. with 83 octane.. Can't imagine what you're pulling on the dyno. THAT is one impressive car!

REAL 1 · #18 (**permalink**) 05-08-2005, 08:24 AM

John: I'm glad your happy with the...whatever you say... "Contemporary". I'm really happy for you. BTW when was the last time you drove it? Enjoy.

Like my ad? Whew! I was worried you wouldn't.

Fred Douglass · #19 (**permalink**) 05-08-2005, 08:26 AM

No---I'm not adding nitro,!I'm correcting "typo". 93 Octane sound bettah? Ar-ar-ar.

John McMahon · #20 (**permalink**) 05-08-2005, 08:28 AM

No, I loved the as, very professional and detailed, thats what gave it away that it wasn't you...Heck it was even spelled write. End of storey.

See Evan, one thing you'll never understand being the car guy that you are....

It takes much, much more time to build a car that to write a check for one Cobra.... after another, after another, trying to get that recognition you so obviously need.