What have YOU done to Embarass your Cobra?

[Edley Rondinone]

If your car could speak, what tales could it tell about the embarassing things its owner has done? These stories should be about or with the Cobra; no "Stupid teenager stunts" from decades ago! (with a credit to BMercer, who posted on the "...EMBARASSMENT" thread!)

[RACERAL]

When I first got it finished last April.. I drove it to the Charlotte Auto Fair with a plug wire crossed.. My first trip.. when I got it fixed.. Man, I thought I had another 100 horses

[Jamo]

Getting in and out of it, with the accompanying butt crack, made my Cobra cringe regularly.

Asking Buckley why my steering wheel moved back and forth so much, and having him find the bolt loose on one of the knuckles, was somewhat embarassing--especially since I drove it that way over two autocross seasons.

Finding out that fuel cell bladders aren't supposed to be used for twenty years, which explained the weird fuel smell--that was a pretty good one.

Others...but you'll have to ask the Cobra for details.

[Excaliber]

raceral.....uh......you did have another 100 horses, lol.

I crakced the glass seat on my Excal getting out right after I got the car. Don't lean on the back of the seat when exiting the vehicle, even if you are scared to death of the side pipes, ha ha.

Numerous burns later, but the seat was still good!

Ernie

[Rob of Hamburg]

JAMO----
Whaaat....? fuel cell bladders--- strange smells? What DOES that horn sound like???

[G.R.]

Let the clutch out too fast--killed it-- leaving a stoplight --not once but twice--sitting next to a Porche--driver and pasanger were laughing--oh well
Tried taking off from a stop sign in third--killed it again--in the middle of traffic


Also fell out of the car trying to get out w/o touching the pipes a day or two after getting the car--

Left the dipstick on the workbench, went for a short drive, oil everywhere under the hood

Ask the car for the rest

[Turk]

I don't know that I embarressed my car as much as I embarressed myself.

Last year during the run through The Death Valley, we were all having fun at Jamo's expense and his small block. There were not too many places we could run and leave him behind and hide.

First opportunity we got was when we came up to some twisties and a slight climb.
Left him behind just to pull on the shoulder to pretend we had been there and waiting for him.

I jumped out of the car as fast as I could, but forgot to pull the emergency brake. When Jamo arrived all he saw was me struggling to hold my car from rolling down hill.

In the process burned my leg.

What is really embarressing is, 10 miles down the road when we stopped for fuel or drinks...I burned the already raw spot on my leg once again!

Damn small blocks!!

TURK

[Excaliber]

Ha ha!!! Yup, theres the proof that Small Blocks WILL take their revenge!

Ernie

[bmalone]

Had a wheel bearing fail on a Gashole get together (1300 mile trip for me). Had to leave the car on base and finally tow to U-2's house and then return the following weekend to retrieve it.

Another one, although I'm not sure it is who is most embarassed by it: whilst taking Mr. Jamo for a ride, we noticed we were out of brakes. Picture this: Car is still rolling, Jamo tugging on the back bumper to stop the car, and then a nice big fireball when brake fluid spilled on the header. Car finally rolls to a stop right in front of SAI trailer at SAAC-27, where it stayed until we fixed the brakes. Bob and Gary were true gentlemen; and the rest of my Gashole buddies too.

[Jamo]

What is this...you guys blaming me?

[G.R.]

Why not?

[bmalone]

[wilf leek]

When I went to pick up my first ever Cobra, which came from Southampton, and had to drive it back to the Midlands, where I live.
Cruising along nicely up a Motorway, basking in the glory of craned necks and thumbs up from other cars. Decided a comfort stop was in order.
As I drove along the access road to the service area carpark, noticed the place was full of holiday makers, plus an above average proportion of "totty". I thought - what a great place to make an impression with this car.
Drove into the carpark with all eyes on me, then promptly rammed the oil cooler scoop into the kerb in the parking bay. Loud crunch. Much snickering amongst the crowd.
I slunk to the rest room and tried to look as small as possible as I drove back out. Car never forgave me.

[Excaliber]

,,,,man some of these stories are starting to sound real familiar. I patched the crack as good as I could after I hit that curb.......

Ernie

[Ed Rynex, Jr.]

With the battery located in front of the passenger foot box over the exhaust it takes a beating. Summer of 2001 stopped at a Mc D's for a cold drink and left the lights on(on an already weakened battery - going to move it to the trunk) it would not start. Had the Mc D's crew push start me. And last summer(2002) out for a ride south of Carlisle on Rt.94 saw a small car show at a church and stopped to look. You gussed it car would not start when I went to leave Had to be push started again (replaced the starter that time.) Several ocassions have neglected to down shift at traffic light and stalled on the green light.(Red face at green light). Have always had a small oil leak until last fall - went to a car show in Hazelton, PA.(200 mile round trip) had an oil puddle running out from under the car at the show - had to clean up before I left - used 4 quarts of oil on the trip. (Had a crack in the rear weld seam of the oil pan- fixed now and no leak).

[CSX 4027]

Watkins Glen along side of pit road.
I went to check my timing.
I hooked up the light
I reached in to turn the key
and yes..
The car was in gear
It cranked slightly and jumped
Then started and idled down pit road with me chasing it.
I dove into the seat to kill the ignition.
That was fun and from what I have been told looked like a stunt in the MAD MAD World movie

[Whaler]

Hey man you obviously had that puppy tuned to the sweet spot. Right on the fine edge of ultimate starting.

Did the same thing with my old 70 mach1....except I had the drivers door wide open and about 10 feet of back up room b4 that door was to strike my garage door.
It was in reverse gear, started with me outside and on the other side of the door and proceeded to roll out with disaster ahead. Got it shut off after initially losing contact with that damn key on the inside of the column. Quite the scramble and adrenaline rush
Try finding that spot and running at the same time.

Good one for fear factor.

You have to love a good starting car all other times.


Tim

[mg2166]

CSX & Whaler - Me Too

I had the car running about 1 week, and was trying to track down the cause of a ticking noise (turned out to be leak in header manifold). The car was in my garage, in gear. I reached in to start her up and she took off. Before I could reach back in and shut her down, the front fender hooked the trim around the garage door and tore it off. No damage to the car except slight scuff marks on the fender and side pipe (fortunately she isn't painted yet). After my nerves settled down I added a clutch interlock. It took me longer to repair the damaged garage trim than to install the interlock.

[Excaliber]

OK,,,,so were talking starting the car with it in gear and you outside? I'll see that and raise you one, lol.

Ford Dealership. Customer car in my bay. Yup, she started, and I had it set on a high idle speed. It jumped and smashed into my work bench. It was ugly, body shop handled the car, plus I got a new bench. I didn't get fired, but the other mechs NEVER let me forget about it!

Still waiting for the "fire" stories, THATS when I get warmed up!

Ernie

[Mr.Fixit]

Drove a SPF without a body on it. I think the car was embarassed to be naked.