Question for Florida Backdraft ,SPF and FFR owners

[Bill V]

I got a call yesterday from an individual representing a well known kit manufacturer. I'm reluctant to mention who they are at this particular time but I'll entertain guesses.

Anyway, he was offering me a deal on a kit which sounded pretty good. During our conversation, I told him I really wasn't interested in building my own because of time constraints etc. and that if I went with a kit company, I'd have it built by a professional, but the way it looks right now, an SPF or one of the other South African cars would be the way I'd be going. In any event, I won't be doing anything for another year, so nothing is set in stone.

He agreed that there were some really nice cars out there, but that people are now having problems getting FFRs and Backdrafts and even SPFs registered lately. He went on to say that the Backdraft is "a full blown racecar" and Backdraft owners are having problems insuring their cars. He mentioned Hagerty in particular as not even considering Backdrafts. I'm assume he was talking about cars in Florida.

Now, I know that the Backdraft is not what he said it was, so that can be dismissed out of hand as patently false. How about the other comments though? Have any of you guys Florida had problems with titling, registration and insurance?

Frankly, it sounds like BS to me. What do you guys think?

[terry lee]

Bill,
I titled mine a year ago with absolutely no problem!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The title even says '65 Cobra.
Backdraft cars come as "street" and "race version" cars to the best of my knowledge. I saw one at the Reptile Roundup last fall w/ ac; it was from Miami. In fact we have several Backdraft cars that race with us regularly. Most of the cars are FF's, with a few SPF's thrown in. I know of 1 EM, but there may be more. If you want an SPF, I can hook you up right now! (I'm serious)
Insurance is another issue, and can only be handled by a "GOOD" insurance agent. You need someone who understands what you have and how to best insure it for YOUR needs. If you are going racing, it will be pretty hard to find alot of companies to insur it.
You need to get on the Deep South Cobra Club Forum here on Club Cobra and start talking to our members about some of your issues. We Live here, and we live with the little problems. For the most part, we are willing to share our experiences with the "Newbie," unless we're talking "racing." We are running again at Gainesville on May 22nd. It may be worth a trip up on Saturday morning to meet with some of the guys and discuss some of your issues. Get there early and spend the day to watch, ask, listen; and we will even put you to work (never have enough corner workers).

I'm just down the road from you at the south end of Palm Beach.

And that my new friend is my $.02 for today.

TL

[Edbo]

Title and reg is no problem at all in FL. Take your checkbook with you, the reg for FFR4067 cost a little more than a thousand bucks.

Insurance is all about shopping for a good rate and getting the coverage you want. Shop.
I would be insured with Classic Car Ins except for the fact that my spouse has too many tickets in the last three years.
I'm with Allstate, about $800/year.

As for the sales pitch, I've never heard of a real manufacturer pitching kits over the phone. Most, if not all, have a waiting list.

HTH, Ed

[TampaFla]

Unless they're returning your call, its really strange - waiting lists are the norm; but recently Kirkham started making fiberglass kits so times are changing and maybe production levels are going up.

[davidlee]

I just got my Backdraft regisgtered,titled and insured last month. I had no problem, just had to shop around for insurance. I wound up at just under $400.00 per year. I hope this helps.
David

[Quentin Z]

David,
You really need to get some pics of that fine car in your gallery. I'm out-of-town this weekend, but could bring my digital camera over next weekend and hook you up. Let me know.

[Bill V]

Terry,

I was at the Reptile Roundup in November on Saturday the 8th and I we got a chance to meet. I was there with my son. We spoke briefly while I drooled over car. Then we all walked over to the tent to get Don Garlits autograph and if memory serves, he autographed your helmet, right? That event was very informative for me and help me to narrow the field to just a few possible Cobra Replicas.

Anyway, I really appreciate the feedback from everyone. The builder I was referring to is a well known establishment in South Florida (clue #1) and they were following up my request for info with a second follow up call and sales pitch.

Besides the fact that I don't have the time to build my own, I don't care for sales tactics like theirs so they're pretty much done in my book.

As far as Insurance goes, I'll try my current carrier first and if they balk, I'll try American Hobbyist right here in Stuart, five minutes from my office.

Thanks again to everyone.

Bill

[terry lee]

Hey Bll,
I remember you NOW! Old age really SUCKS.
How's that boy of yours, I still remeber that BIG grin on his face just looking at all the Cobras. You had a little one too.

Come out the 22nd to see if I can stuff it to Ed, now that he has changed the course. I missed the last event.

Are you on the DSCC member list yet? This is your last chance to sign up before we reinstate the membership fee of $10 due each of the current members. This could get really expensive.

There is also another DSCC web site - www.deepsouthcobraclub.com

TL

[CobraDan]

Hagerty has stopped insuring all Cobras in any state as other insurance companies have because of claims. All you need is one large claim and the insurance companies run away, they only like to collect not give out when it comes to money. American Hobbist is still insuring Cobras and I have my Cobra insured with them.
Dan

[davidlee]

Thanks Z

That would be great just give me a call. I'm just learning how to drive a Cobra. Don't expect me to try to figure out how to post pictures. I'm just not too computer smart.

David

[eticket]

Hey that almost sounds like the company that got me for about three thousand dollars, before they went under, they were called CMC then, BUYER BEWARE. I think they are back in bussiness again under a new name, I have heard people have finished those cars but it took some time. As for insurance check into Midwest classic Insurance http://www.midwestclassicins.com/ they seem to be good people, who enjoy cars.

Mike

[Bill V]

Give the man a cigar! Yup that's them, Innovative Street machines dba Street Beasts. 'Nuff said.

[mrmustang]

Just got on the thread and while reading your initial post thought to myself "sounds like CMC up to their old tricks again".......Lo and behold, you post Innovative (the new name for the old CMC)............Amazing that they actually think they can fool people with stuff like this...........


Bill S.

Originally posted by Bill V


Give the man a cigar! Yup that's them, Innovative Street machines dba Street Beasts. 'Nuff said.

[Mestizo]

I didn't have a problem with registration since Reg at Backdraft took care of it in his gracious and accomomodating way (Thanks, Reg).

Insurance was a little harder..Hagerty's brochure had a Cobra on the cover but they explained there had been "too many roll-over fatalities" (just FYI...get the Nitto tires to start out with) to continue covering Cobras....

I wound up with American Collector for a few hundred a year.

So why wait...as the Wise Man on his death bed said when asked what had surprised him most about life.."It's how short it was."