Rogers' Sweet Backdraft!
 

Well, the wife and I visited Rogers in Fulton, MO, and took a look at his Backdraft roadster. That's one sweet ride! He said Backdraft prices went up $3000 since he purchased it. That's too bad--for the rest of us. I must admit that I've only seen one other replica roadster--and I don't even know what kit it was made from, but I DO know a little bit, and this is what impressed me about Rogers' new ride:

1. WOW--what a paint job--straight from the factory!
2. Proper Cobra-shaped doors, rather than the more squarish ones some kits have
3. The rear fenders had the lip/extention, rather than no lip at all like some kits (B&B, for example)
4. Interior body door jam/lip had a nice metal trim piece instead of just a fiberglass lip
5. The stainless steel side pipes had the protective anti-snake bite plate over top of the hot pipe
6. The hood had a piston installed at the front center, rather than a manual rod to hold it open
7. And lots of stuff that looked really good to me that I don't really have experience to compare from, such as the VERY NICELY APOLSTERED LEATHER SEATS and the rest of the interior, the nicely-carpeted trunk, the stainless reflective panels in the engine compartment, the authentic-looking fuel door w/locking insert, nice guages w/reverse speedo (I think the guage package wasn't authentic, but they REALLY looked nice!), forward-bent shifter, BMW rear end/suspension, etc. Check out the Backdraft site. Overall, this appeared to be a QUALITY vehicle.

I've got some experience in restoration, but not in actual building/assembling like this, so take this for what its worth, HOWEVER, after seeing this vehicle, if I had my Vette sold right now, the wife and I would be at it again--me in my corner arguing for; and she, in hers, against! Thank God for bills--our home is quiet!

I think Rogers told me that he had most of this vehicle assembled by Backdraft, and even had the throaty 302/tranny installed in TX before the vehicle actually got here to MO for him to license.

Rogers, that's one sweet ride!! Who was the guy who sold you and installed the engine/tranny? The price you told me--that was withOUT the engine/tranny, right?

Backdraft
 

C4 Cross Fire, You are right this is a nice car for the money, I Just got my backdraft today, take a look at my pics Just click on the camera:3DSMILE:

I'm drooling again...

Your photos reminded me about the "AC" peddles and steering wheel. What an awesome vehicle. I'm not sure I can wait for mine--I may have to rob the local party store a couple of times or something to get some more cash--either that or see if I can get the wife to work a second job! :D

C4 Cross Fire,

I second your thoughts. I am finally driving my Backdraft on a regular basis (weekends) and really like it. There were a few "teething" problems, but very minor. My only real problem is the paint. Mine is all black and it has some surface defects. Most are fixed, but a few areas are going to need repainting. I am pretty particular (I'm in the auto paint business) so don't go by what problems my car has. The cars after #94 are supposed to be much better. I am #90. Just missed the new painter and paint improvements!

Other than that, Backdraft really offers the most bang for the buck. That is at least in my opinion. There are obviously many nice brands out there, but I liked the looks, the features, and the fact is is on a BMW suspension. I am very partial to BMWs, so it made my decision very easy. Good luck with your choice.

SkipB, why didn't you paint it yourself, rather than order it from the factory painted, since you're in the paint business??

Rogers, who was the guy who sold you and installed your engine & tranny?

OKAY
 

ROGERS CAR IF I AM NOT MISTAKEN WAS COMPLETED BY ROBERT BOUDREAUX FROM HERE IN DALLAS. I WAS WITH HIM WHEN THE CAR WAS DELIVERED. TOO DANG COLD TO GO FOR A RIDE, LIKE 22 DEGREES AND SNOWING. DANGED IF HE DID TAKE IT FOR A SPIN THOUGH. AND AS YOU SAID, ONE OF THE REALLY FINE APPEARING COBRAS THAT I HAVE SEEN.

JAY

Jay and Crossfire....
Thanks for the good comments. Boudy ( Robert Boudreaux ) is HiPer-Rods.Com. Go to manufactures on the left of this site and it will take you there....Crossfire. He is "The Man" for Backdraft in this region. C-fire...I'm serious....you and Tammy have got to get back up here when the weather turns. You think it looks good in the garage.....wait till you ride in it. There is no doubt that even with the price increase...this car is trully a bargain. The next step is the SPF which I believe is now around 36-37K for a roller. I think when Brian (Nuke 427) and I get these to the car show circuit this year we will create lots of interest.....I'm sure Boudy will give us the tongue then....up till now we've just gotten the lips!

C4 Cross Fire,

By the time I truly got interested in the Backdraft, #90 (my car)was already in production and painted. Also, it is alot easier to paint a car before it is assembled than after.

That being said, the Backdraft people have been nothing but nice about taking care of my car. I am sure mine was one of very few that had problems. You will notice most customers rave about the paint. I am sure I will eventually get the appearance I desire. In any case, I really think this is a great car!

C4, you're not talking about that butt ugly Black/White stripe with red rookie stripes car are you? :)

It is pretty sweet! Ole' Boudy and Jay brought that thing up here in the dark with it freezing and snowing! And Rogers took it out! None of us volunteered to go with, but of course we dumb asses stood outside in the cold so we could hear it in the distance as he tested the performance. I'm sure I would have taken it out to if it was mine being delivered.

These cars are nice. There's always a touch or two that needs attention but I've never been so impressed driving the wheels off this car on the winding roads around here. I recommend these cars and even sent in my testimonial to display on the site.

Boudy, save your tongue for Rogers, I'll pass :)

Hey guys, about two weeks ago , Robert and his dad picked me up and made a flying trip to Reg's shop to pick up a car. We then delivered it to a customer in Houston. That car was Black/White stripes with red rookies. It had a stunning red interior with black piping on the seats. I own #89, crimson red with silver stripes. Just got my Keith Craft all aluminum 427 windsor friday, very excited, won't be long now till on road.While down at Reg's, I saw I think it was 12 other cars, 4 being prepped others still crated. All the cars really looked excellent, being honest I saw a few paint flaws, just a few and very minute on a couple of the cars, noyhing that couldn't be fixed easily. Believe me I am a pretty picky person over detail, and these flaws were very minor.Anyway for what it is worth, Backdraft car owners should feel honored to have the best car for the money. Rogers, I don't know what color your car is, but I'm sure it is very stunning.

DON

I'll pass too!

Yes--let's get together when the weather gets nice.

I'm gonna go check out HiPer-Rods.Com. I've been looking at prices for the 351w lately. Hoping to get one mostly chrome for around 6...like I said, I'm still looking! Can't decide on the tranny. I truly don't plan on much racing--just crusing the car shows and on the weekends...of course if the wife and I move to Tulsa (when I retire from the Army in about a year) that may change. There isn't much racing available in my immediate area...actually, there isn't ANY place to race within AT LEAST 2 hours drive.

Check out my new web page: http://www.c4restore.com/sr.htm Mum's the word, though! Since I don't have a kit to build/tweek, I'm stuck making graphics move. *Maybe I ought to work on my Vette--always a continual source of work--bu ' wearing me out! Not much fun any more-- 20-year-old cars are plagued with problems. Every time I turn around there are several problems to solve/things to fix. That's why I've decided to build a roadster (first!)--NEW parts (for the most part--at least they're clean!), and you wind up with a NEW car! I've wanted a roadster since I was a kid. Remember that BF Goodrich poster with the blue 289? I had that poster when I was a kid--my dream car! That's the color I'm looking for.

Hey C4, these Cobras are awsome but.............My brother has a 96' Vette that will suck the doors off almost any car on the road. He pulled the motor/trans and did most of the rebuild and performance upgrade himself, and took to the shop what he couldn't. It is one very sweeeet ride! He has 400+ hp getting to the rear wheels. That was dyno proven even with a torque converter lock up problem. Very very fun car, lights them up at 40 mph (if the traction control is off), and much less invested than what I have. But of course, it's not a Cobra. And there is alot to be said about that.