Rolling Thunder Cobra from FLORIDA?

Excaliber · #1 (**permalink**) 11-17-2003, 10:32 PM

Looking for information on this manufacturer.

Anybody ever heard of them?

"Rolling Thunder" out of Florida. The car in question has a 302, 5 speed, Jag IRS, 92" wheel base, Hailbrand wheels, blue with white stripe.

Ernie

Excaliber · #2 (**permalink**) 11-18-2003, 08:34 AM

Excaliber · #3 (**permalink**) 11-18-2003, 07:26 PM

You mean to tell me in this VAST audience not ONE single person has heard of a "Rolling Thunder" Cobra built in Florida????

Hmmmmmmmm,,,,, that not a very good endorsment of said product!

eRnIe

Bumpster · #4 (**permalink**) 11-18-2003, 09:26 PM

Ernie - If you can give a city or something to go on, I'll track them down for you. Could this be a new name for EM? I keep hearing that they are getting back into business.

Bumpster

Excaliber · #5 (**permalink**) 11-19-2003, 12:49 AM

I don't have a city. The only "clues" I was given was "Florida" and it sounds like a "one man" shop kinda deal.

As no one has heard of them it could well be the builder has only done a few (or less?). The one in question is on Maui and was shipped here less than a year ago. It is now for sale at $45K. Which sounds WAY high for a car no one knows anything about.

Ernie

Buzz · #6 (**permalink**) 11-19-2003, 05:45 AM

Ernie; Rolling Thunder Racing is located in Boca Raton and the car does indeed have a 92" wheelbase but the front and rear suspension pieces are actually BMW sourced. Recommended engines are 302 - 347. Fit and finish appear to be good, but I seem to recall that they were priced quite low, even for a completed car with a 302. Unless this one you encountered has some special upgrades IMO $45000 is way high. I may be incorrect on this, but I think they are imported from South Africa as rollers.
Info and pics available at: http://www.directsavingssource.com/cobmail/rtr.htm

computerworks · #7 (**permalink**) 11-19-2003, 05:57 AM

Chassis picture from Rolling Thunder's site...

Chassis picture from Backdraft's site....

...connect the dots.

They appear to be a BDR VAR

Buzz · #8 (**permalink**) 11-19-2003, 06:07 AM

Looks like the same frame on the same shop floor to me, Ron! I found out about them when I was shopping around and I answered an ad for a "New AC Cobra" on one of the car trader sites. The finished car with a 302 and 5 speed, single colour paint was under $30K. I was privately very sceptical when I was told over the phone that it featured a BMW suspension as that was the first time I had heard of such an unlikely combination.

Excaliber · #9 (**permalink**) 11-19-2003, 09:05 AM

Thanks guys, I was begining to loose hope ANYBODY had heard of this car.

Yup, it certainly appears to be a Back Draft car built by an independant. That seems to solve the mystery all right!

ClubCobra, you can't hide, the truth will be found!

Ernie

Cobaby · #10 (**permalink**) 11-19-2003, 10:07 AM

Hey Excalibur, have you seen this?

http://www.rolling-thunder-racing.com/

Backdraft · #11 (**permalink**) 11-19-2003, 11:33 AM

Hi there,

Rolling Thunder were purchasing rolling chassis from us, completing them and subsequently reselling them as complete cars. All the cars purchased were blue and white and they were completed with a variation of a 302 engine. The cars were not marketed as BDR cars and I believe this may have led to some of the misunderstanding of the cars manufacture. I am not sure if they have been involved with any other manufacturers to offer a Jag suspensioned car.

If you would like to know the details of the car, I should be able to help if you have the vin number. Most of the pictures displayed on their web site were initially obtained from us or are of our facility. Rolling Thunder is no longer being supplied cars by ourselves and if there are any questions concerning BDR cars purchased through them please contact me directly.

Regards Reg
954-438 7701
www.Backdraftracing.com

computerworks · #12 (**permalink**) 11-19-2003, 12:31 PM

Reg... thanks for the speedy and straight-talk explanation.

Excaliber · #13 (**permalink**) 11-19-2003, 01:14 PM

I suspect the seller or myself is "confused" about the JAG IRS. I'm betting it is in fact the BMW stuff. I'll get back to him with what I found out about his car!

Ernie