who has Shell Valley or A&C in Wash, DC area?

[cobeywan kanobe]

Hello (Yes, I'm new to the forum; thank God I've found a good one!)

I'm considering Shell Valley for a turnkey - like to see a few. Anyone in the Washington DC metro area have one (within, say, about a 2 hour radius)?

I am also very seriously considering the A&C (antique & collectible). I like what I've heard, read, and seen (I've seen a few and I've driven one). I can always sd to look at more of them).

Anybody have any thoughts comparing the Shell Valley to the A&C?

I'd greatly appreciate any feedback,

thanks!!

[grumpy]

Is there a Shell Valley in the SE Texas area. Texas Cobra Club no response.
Attempting to help an owner with a item on his car.
grumpy

[clayfoushee]

Cobyewan...why don't you post the question at:

www.capitalareacobraclub.com

I think there is a Shell Valley in the club, but I don't recall seeing it. We do have Shelby's Kirkhams, ERAs, Uniques, E-Ms, SPFs, lots of FFRs , Contemporary, Excaliburs, and a few others.

[BLACKJACK]

CLAY - - - -

- - - - - - - AND EXCALIBURS - - - - - - - - (HEH, HEH, HEH).

COBEYWAN,

CLAY'S RIGHT. CHECK OUT THE CACC WEBSITE. I DON'T CLEARLY RECALL SEEING A SHELL VALLEY (OF COURSE - AT MY AGE - I DON'T "CLEARLY" RECALL ANYTHING) IN THE CLUB BUT WE SURE HAVE JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING INCLUDING EXCALIBURS (THREE OF THEM).

WHERE IN MARYLAND DO YOU LIVE?? WE HAVE SEVERAL ACTIVE MEMBERS THERE. (SOME EVEN WITH "ACTIVE" MEMORIES).

YOU MIGHT WANT TO CHECK OUT OUR WEEKLY "GREASE-UP" BREAKFAST AT THE VIENNA INN. ON A DECENT DAY WE'LL HAVE 12 TO15 COBRAS THERE. ON A REALLY CRAPPY DAY WE'LL STILL HAVE 5 OR 6.

GREASE-UP STARTS AT 7:45am AND LASTS UNTIL WE GET TIRED OF TELLING LIES. IF YOUR INTERESTED E-MAIL ME AND I'LL GIVE YOU DIRECTIONS AND ADDITIONAL INFO. WE'D LOVE TO HAVE YOU JOIN US.

Y'ALL HAVE A REALLY GREAT DAY.

BLACKJACK

[clayfoushee]

Hey, Jack......I did say Excalibur..........

[BLACKJACK]

CLAY - - -

DARNIT - - - I KNEW THE MEMORY WAS "SHOT" I GUESS I'D BETTER GET MY EYES CHECKED ALSO.

HAVE A GREAT ONE

BLACKJACK

[cobeywan kanobe]

hey Clay

Thanks for the tip. I just popped in over there and WOW - looks like I've got a lot of research to do. Never knew there were so many Cobras in the area - I'll have to start making rounds to check out whatever I can.

Hey BlackJack,

I'd Love to hit a "GREASE-UP" at Mollies (That's what we used to call The Vienna Inn back when Molly owed it - few years back). Man! We used to go there all the time for mind-numbing-food-coma-inducing lunches of chili and cheese dogs, back when I worked in Tysons Corner. Haven't been there in a while (3-4 years)!
Is it a regular thing? Lik eevery Saturday or something - 1-2times a month etc? Let me know when you guys are there - I'd like to make it out.

Thanks,

[Wade Chamberlain]

Grease-up is EVERY saturday, rain or shine. We meet about 7:45am in the parking lot behind the VI. We typically mosey in around 8, eat, then hang around swapping lies in the parking lot for another hour or so.

Howard Bosworth in Salisbury, MD is building a Shell Valley. There's a fellow in Herndon building a SV too, but his name escapes me. You can find Howards email address on the CACC website.

[EDIT] - the guy in Herndon is Victor Guillot. Email me if you want his email address.

[BLACKJACK]

ER, UH, WELL,

COBEYWAN - - - - - -

BACK THEN - - - MIKE ABRAHAM AND BROTHER JAKE OWNED THE VIENNA INN.

MOLLY ABRAHAM OWNED MIKE.

PHILLIP ABRAHAM - SON - TOOK OVER AFTER MIKE PASSED AWAY (PRECEDED BY JAKE BY A FEW YEARS) AND RAN IT FOR SEVERAL YEARS UNTIL HE MOVED TO CONNECTICUT TO OPEN A "BED & BREAKFAST" WITH HIS WIFE. PHIL SOLD IT TO DAVID VOLK ("MARTY-PARTY") A FEW YEARS AGO.

IT'S ALMOST AS THOUGH IT NEVER LEFT THE FAMILY BECAUSE MARTY (aka DAVID) LITERALLY GREW UP IN THE VIENNA INN.

THE "OLD GIRLS" ARE GONE NOW BUT THE ATMOSPHERE (MIGHT I SAY AMBIANCE?) IS STILL THE SAME. A BUNCH OF CUTE YOUNG GIRLS NOW BUT THEY'RE JUST AS SALTY AND SARCASTIC AS EVER. MOLLY MUST HAVE LEFT THE "TRAINING MANUAL" BEHIND.

HOPE TO MEET YOU THIS SATURDAY.

Y'ALL HAVE A REALLY GREAT DAY.

BLACKJACK

[clayfoushee]

Jack....your memory's fine, I edited the post just so I could launch a round across your wingtip......LOL.

Cobe.....if you're out in Annapolis you're welcome anytime....shoot me an e-mail.

[cobeywan kanobe]

Thanks BlackJack/Wade,

I'm going to try and make it out - if not this Saturday, indeed one soon. Got an all-day work event this Sunday so the wife-alarm says Saturday belongs to her this weekend. I don't think I'll be inviting her to too many Cobra events all too soon - I just essentially got the go-ahead to start on my project - doesn't mean she's thrilled about it. . .

ABRAHAM - that's the name - I couldn't remember - sounds like you know your VI history pretty well. I pretty much checked in once every couple weeks with a work group for lunch, and of course soaked up the standard (abuse) "ambiance" - as you say. It was always entertaining "setting up" some unsuspecting tough-smack-talking guy against Molly - she won the day every time.

Anyway - I actually was close to making up my mind on (and I'm still kind of leaning towards) the A&C product out of Buffalo. But then I realized I had over looked Shell Valley, gave them a call, and they made some compelling arguments. I know that neither is a Superformance, Kirkham, ERA, Unique, etc caliber product, but for my situation - they are appropriate, and kind of peer to peer.

Heard anything about the Antique & Collectibles? I keep hearing that those who have them really like them. . .

BTW, Clay (Thanks for the invite - basically - you got a car, I want to see it),

I was just in Annapolis on New Years eve. I took the day off that day and drove down to Cherner Classics right there near the harbor (I'm sure you're familiar). As you may be aware, they had (and may still have) a Contemporary Cobra, signal red w/ 427 SO and 4 spd top-loader in their Showroom.
Very tempting! Just a few little blemishes. Have you seen the car?

[cobeywan kanobe]

sorry about the double post - new to the forum. . . .

[BLACKJACK]

COBEYWAN - - - --

ALL DEM CARS YOU MENTIONED IS COBRAS - - - - - WE DON'T DIFFERENTIATE MUCH BETWEEN BRANDS IN CACC. WE ALL DRIVE "COBRAS".

BUY WHAT YOU LIKE (AND WHAT YOU CAN GET A "KITCHEN CLEARANCE" FOR).

NOBODY GETS THEIR "FRUIT-OF-THE-LOOMS" IN A TWIST ABOUT BRANDS EXCEPT FOR THE "ELDER" AND THAT'S ONLY BECAUSE WE PICK ON HIM SO MUCH. (HE'S THE LOCAL MEMBER OF THE "SHELBY POLICE").

BY ALL MEANS - BRING YOUR WIFE TO THE GREASE-UP. THERE ARE USUALLY SEVERAL OF THE WIVES/GIRL FRIENDS THERE. I'M SURE SHE'LL ENJOY MEETING THEM.

Y'ALL HAVE A REALLY GREAT DAY.

BLACKJACK

[clayfoushee]

Cobey...yes, I have seen that Contemporary, didn't have a chance to inspect it closely, but it looked to be a very solid car. How much were they asking for it? I actually bought my car there, but it was in trade for a 69 Camaro SS350 convertible restored to showroom stock. My Unique was there on consignment and owned by a friend of the guy, Will, who runs the Annapolis store.

I live fairly close to there, with a heated garage, so again you're welcome anytime.

[Jack21]

That's one Excalibre and two Classic Roadsters.

Actually one of the better ways if getting reluctant spouse involved is bring her to a function. There is a reason Cobras have passenger seats. Plus, spouses and significant others are wonderful folks. If yours gets a ride in one of these, she may share your enthusiasm. She can assist with the build also.


Recommend you look at what your world of options really is, and what you want your Cobra to be/do when you're finished building it. How you intend to drive it, will influence how you build it.

Knowledge of A&C is zip. Shell Valley has been around awhile and offers a variety of options. In the same ball park would be Classic Roadsters, and Lone Star. There's a new one by Backdraft Racing that uses BMW suspension and brakes. Then there's FFR, perhaps the most popular.

Keep an open mind, and perhaps a notebook. Take photos, and get phone numbers. What will ultimately steer you to the car you want is little details and intangibles that you likely hadn't thought of.

[tfarhood]

Cobeywan,

If you liked the A&C, and Shell Valley, take a look at the Team-C Racing TCR 427 kit. It originated as a Shell Valley with a few modifications, but my understanding is that they have their own body now. The price is attracive and it is a pretty complete kit. They were marketing quite a few on E-Bay a few months back. They are in Connecticut, which is a little closer than A&C.

Also , if you are still in the research stage, the Carlisle Kit Car show is in May. You can see every kit there at the same time.

[clayfoushee]

Cobey...

you're getting a lot of sound advice here. One of the thiings I like about the CACC group is what Blackjack said. Unlike a lot of stuff you read on this forum, there is almost a complete lack of "ego" and "mine's better than yours" junk among CACCers. No one seems to care, and we view them as all Cobras. BJ was mostly kidding about the Shelby guy. Even he's the first to jump in and help everyone else with their cars.

Get to know as many CACCers as you can, and see all the cars you can....you'll be able to decide what fits you best.

P.S. That Contemp. could be a good buy...it's been sitting there for awhile, and you'll always get a better deal if you buy used. Heck.....you can always rebuild it anyway you want, a little at a time, while still enjoying it.

[tj61]

I have an A&C, still working on putting it together. Drop me an email, I live in the Herndon area.
Tom Johnson
tj61@juno.com
Yes, I AM a big time lurker!

[cobeywan kanobe]

Thanks Jack21, Yes my information file is growing VERY fat, and so is the photo file/folder on my computer!

Clay, they were/are asking $49,999 for the Contemporary. They say sht eprice is mainly driven by the actual 427 and the 4 speed top loader. It may very well be a resonable price for the car and you're right as far as I'm concerned, it looks very solid.

My problem is I Really want to stay away from the 4 speed - authentic yes, but I want a 5 speed (for the obvious reasons) and I'd have to figure that change-out in estimating the total project cost.

Additionally - being in this geographic area, as you know, (OK - well at least for me) at least a soft top (and I'd like a tonneau) is mandatory - the Contemporary had neither - so throw in ~ another $1500 for those.

The only blemishes I saw were some small piant chips in the hoop scoop rivets, a minor form/mold line on top of the driver's side front fender, a small bubble & separation in the interior back wall finish material (behind the driver's seat) and it looks as though it's been washed a few times with a slightly abbrasive cloth or something (characteristic little swirly scratches in the paint).
It has a slightly over-sized oil cooler that stands out - but that's no big deal.

All the other parts are in place - but I didn't inspect it too thoroughly either (underneath, etc.)

They said they may be willling to sharpen the pencil a little, but I still think with the additions/alterations I'd need - it's just not for me.

It was a nice car though - for sure - real beafy and seemed solid.

[cobeywan kanobe]

Tom! That's great! I'd love to see it! Herndon is right around the beltway from me. (you've done it now - please expect a call...)

How far along are you?
Did you go with the high luster Gel coat or will you piant it?
Have you picked up the body yet? How old is it (pre big-hood scoop or before Sonny/Joe changed the mold)?

Tons of questions on the way - thanks for speaking up. . .