Joe, unless it has been sold there is a small block SPF roadster setup with hard top at Doug Reed's (SPF dealer) place in New Orleans. Don't know the history of the car or how many miles are on it. Think it about a 1100-1200 series car, which would make it about a year and a half old. But it was a sweet car if no sidepipes is what you are after. Solid titanium I think.
Richard
Memphis

Again, thank you all for the excellent advise and comments; this exceeds my expectations for sure! You're a great bunch of car-guys.
You're right: Cobra Country has a lot of good-sounding pre-owned cars; definitely food for thought
Rprice: sounds interesting in New Orleans; I'll give him a call.
Joe

Joe,

Just a few words of encouragement, as all the good advice has been given already. I've been weak in the knees over Cobras since the mid '60's and I'm 52 now. Cobra this, Cobra that, Cobra whatever. Even so, when the opportunity arose to think about actually owning one, I did have some doubts. What if Cobra reality didn't match the fantasy?

I went to Spring Fling two years ago and sat in a couple of cars, then, a month later, drove the demo car at Dynamic. It was everything I thought it would be. I looked at several other manufacturers' cars, went to Run & Gun, then went back and drove the SPF again and ordered a car. Even so, would the novelty wear off? Would the Cobra experience be worth the discomfort, inconvenience, expense, etc? I took a 3,000 mile road trip (Rt 66 to Albuquerque and back) last May, thinking that by the time I returned I would either love the car or hate it. I had a great time and returned home even more enamored of Cobras than before.

I still can't get enough of Cobras. I love looking at my car. I love sitting in my car. I love looking at other peoples' Cobras and pictures of Cobras. I drive my Cobra every chance I get: to work, to the store, out to dinner, just for fun, whatever.

You will have to decide for yourself whether the reality matches the fantasy. Search CC and Cobra Country for comparisons of various makes, then attend Spring Fling and compare the cars and talk with the owners. If you're in doubt, as suggested above, the safest way to stick your toes in the water is to buy a good used car, of which there are many, at reasonable prices. Good luck, and welcome!

Joe S:

Good thread, thank you for starting it. I'm pretty much at the same place you are (just starting to look) and amazingly, I've got permission from managememt to proceed as long as I am careful. Seems to me that the pre-owned SPF, ERA, etc. have a lot to offer....

Good luck, and thank you to all the folks who have responded with advice.

Does anybody know an expert in the Long Beach California area that might want to discuss replica Cobras with me?

Thanks again,

Bill S.

Sledge: Are you looking for someone who OWNS a replica, or someone who BUILDS replicas, or both? Next weekend is the Ford show at Knotts, in Buena Park. The week after that, is the "Kit Car" show, also at Knotts. Lots of onfo there, both weekends.

Rogue:

I'm looking to either finish off a new or nearly new roller if I can find one at the right price or buy a pre-owned but finished replica, depending on what I find as I continue looking around. I guess I'm looking for someone who has acquired some experience in selecting, completing, and owning a replica, just to give me a few pointers. I do not have an unlimited budget and it would be nice to know which options are worth the $$ and which ones aren't. I don't plan to race, just want a weekend street/highway car that I can tinker with. And I am reading and searching websites, and slowly learning.

I plan to spend the 24th and 25th at the Knott's show, can't wait to go take a look.

Thanks

Bill S.

I will be there Saturday, the 24th. I will be with the blue Cobra, with white stripes. ;) .....................also have the red "team stripes" on the right front fender......................usually a few stuffed snakes in and around the car..................might even bring the ceramic Cobra lamp......!!!

Joe S,

That bug sticks with you until you get one. And, if you ever sell it, the bug comes back again. :)

Keep in mind that I own a bottom feeder (ffr).... But when you buy a Cobra street car...( no sidepipes,rollbar)...from what I have seen, you will not get the response out of the "general" public.

In my area... there is a street cobra and my car that goes to a lot of the same car shows.... the street cobra is a 60k spf and mine is a 30k ffr.... and in all honesty, strike me down if this is not the truth..... hardly anybody ever stops and looks at the street car....

I think folks just love the sidepipes and roll bar...
Now.... the hard core cobra lover like the street cars... and so do I... and having said all this..... RESALE may take a little longer with the street car....

An aside, just to confuse things...

Last week I traded in College Girl's '02 Mustang coupe for an '03 Mustang ragtop.

When she saw it, I thought she was going to have a litter of lizards.

I decided to invent a new disease, Ragtop Fever.

It's kinda like malaria... it is incurable and is expensive to treat.

I work with a bunch of high school/college kids, let a few of them drive it.

They all caught it.

It's just a V6 automatic, but on a sunny day with the top down...

I think that is half the lure of a Cobra, the fact that it is a ragtop.

Momma was p####d when she found out I bought it, but then she drove it. And then gave test drives to the rest of the kids.

Wait until these little turds see the BDR.

Hey, my hormones aren't in the lead lap, but they are still in the race.

UT

Edley:

I'll be looking for you! I'll be the one with drool stains....

Cheers

Bill S.

Just a thought... I'm in no way discouraging your choice of car, but almost all the replica manufacturers offer a "turnkey" or "complete roller" (minus drivetrain). All vary in price. Search all your options. The only cure for the bug you have is to make a purchase, it's a curse...the longing will never leave!

Chris-
slithering**)