Newbie to Cobra's needs advice

[michaelj]

I have saved up $25-$30k to buy my dream machine...the Cobra. I checked out Cobra Country and Ebay and there isn't a lot of choices in my price range. But I noticed there is a few at least.

however, I have no idea what to look for and not look for in that price range. Does anybody have any general advice...eg.. what kind of engine to expect, what should I be very aware of, am I good to go if it was build by a replica manufacturer?

Any advice...would be incredibly appreciated.

-your Future Cobra friend

[computerworks]

Bill reposted this a while ago... it has some good pointers:

OK Need some advice

good luck....

[rustyBob]

Michaelj you have a strong budget to work with and there is no reason why you cant find something in that budget that will fit YOUR needs/wants...........thats the important part YOUR needs/wants........YOU must deciede what you want a Cobra for street,race,show ,or a combination of all three....if you want a street car then a small block car is probably what you want or a mild big block for the proper "look" under the hood........if you want to race then you are stepping into a whole different type of car most kits arent set up for raceing and many mods are required, so the decisions are all you and what type of car you are looking for and the use of that car.......welcome to CC and dont be affraid to ask questions thats why most of us are here.

[ZOERA-SC7XX]

Lots of stuff out there. You gotta know what your criteria is...realism, performance, big block vs. small block, chrome (or not), etc. Do lots of homework and ask lots of questions. Good luck.

[elmariachi]

I would not be put off by what you see on eBay, most of those cars will sell locally for a lot less than the dreamers are asking/hoping/praying. Its a buyer's market and $25-30k cash will talk. Decide what you want in the way of powertrain, color, configuration etc and then narrow the field and start negotiating. Don't buy anything sight unseen considering how cheap air fare is, and do a lot of homework using the search feature on this forum. Once you get educated and narrow the field, come back here and ask more specific questions.

[ERA Chas]

Don't buy anything beyond your experience as a driver or wrench. They may be your dream but a poor decision can kill the thrill.

[elmariachi]

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

>>>>>but a poor decision can kill the thrill.

And kill you.

[rustyBob]

Michaelj where in California are you located? there are several people on this forum that may be close to you that can help by letting you look at there cars and maybe getting a ride and that will help a lot in your decision on which car is the proper car for you.

[Seagull81]

I found mine on Craig's List. You might also look over on FFCobra.com. There are several over there.
Like everyone said, figure out what YOU want from the car first and don't get in a hurry. You will probably wind up changing things and fixing things when you get it, so save some money back for that.
Hook up with the local club and they will help you with questions and might even know of some cars for sale.

[Ron61]

I never saw Cobra Country listed in the above posts so will add it as a place to look at Cobras and cars for sale. Also since you live in California try to find one with the SB-100 number. Past that, it will all depend on just what you want and like. And believe me no matter what you think is perfect, you will find things that you want to change. When I built mine years ago I thought I had everything exactly the way I wanted it and before I sold it I had changed almost everything on it except the body and frame.

Ron

[HYM810ANCE]

What ever and where ever you choose...do a little research and have the owner meet you at a REPUTABLE shop/garage. Let them go thru it for you before you commit. It may save you alot of money in the long run. ~G

[Tony Radford]

Identify a cobra club in area where the car is that you indentify and ask a veteran to check it out for you. They would likely notice build-quality issues you wouldn't catch. Any true enthusiast will be more than happy to help you with screening.

[Dwight]

I read a post from a guy in Tenn a couple of weeks ago that bought a Cobra off Ebay. He posted that if he was not a man of his word he would not have paid for the car when he went to pick it up. A week later he bought one located 6 miles from his house. He now has two Cobras and had to buy his wife a high priced toy.
Take your time and chose carefully.

I know of a Cobra that sold to an our of state buyer a few years back. We he came to pick it up he would not pay the full price because the paint was so bad. The seller reduced the price $2,000.

Last winter a friend bought a Cobra that did not meet reserve on EBAY for $38,000. He called the owner a few week after the auction ended and bought it for $32,000. Perfect paint, 427 side oiler, top loader, had to be a $45,000 to $55,000 Cobra. The only problem was the MoMar fuel injection needed tuning.

Pictures look good, people over sell their cars. Be careful.

Dwight

[charles roybal]

For Sale FFR AC Cobra Shelby
________________________________________
This car is just stunning, it took me 2.5 years to build it, make it a beautiful Cobra and a perfect handling machine.

® Charcoal with black stripes
® Custom paint by New Direction Autoworks ($6000 3 years ago)
® Custom Made Halibrand style rims(TEAM III by North Racecars): 17” x 8.0" Front, 17” x 10.5” Rear
® Automoter Vintage gauge set assembly
® Under dash filler panel by Mikes Cobra
® 3 link deluxe rear suspension package
® Coil over shocks at the 4 corners
® Complete Sway Bars system (front and rear) from Vintage Performance Motorcars
® Hubs converted to 5 lugs
® 3.73 final drive ratio (FDR)
® 4 wheels disk braking system: Hawk’s HPS pads + Wilwood brake proportioning valve
® Comes with a soft top. The best top you can buy for the FFR AC Cobra– from Whitby Motorcars
® Custom made waterproof cover
® Custom made Cobra door panels by Herb’s
® All around Russel braided brake lines
® Adjustable brake pushrod (Breeze Automotive)
® New King Cobra clutch kit
® Rebuilt 8.8 rear axle with new 3.73:1 gearing (done by a DTS drive train specialist)
® Bump steer kit
® Solid aluminum offset rack mounting kit from Breeze Automotive
® New heavy duty Ford Mustang motor mounts
® New HEIDT’s hot rod shop power steering valve

The car also comes with a heater inside the cockpit, completely integrated behind the dashboard with controls on the dashboard. It also has fully working wipers.

® Engine Rebuilt from the ground up:
* Block cleaned and honed professionally
* Deck resurfaced
* All new bearings
* All new gaskets
* New timing chain set
* New push rods
* New Performance heads with bigger valves: Int.: 1.94”, Exh.: 1.60”
* New Oil pump: Melling high volume
* New Camshaft: Trickflow stage 1:
Duration @ .050” 221 Int./225 Exh.
Cam lift (Int./Exh.): .312”/.319”
Valve lift with 1.6 rockers (Int./Exh.): .499”/.510”
Lobe separation: 112 deg.
* New Edelbrock intake manifold: #2121
* New Edelbrock carburetor: 600 CFM - #1405 Tuned with new jets and rods for maximum output
* New 3/8” aluminum roller rocker arms, 1.6 Ratio
* New Ford Cobra valve covers
* New HEI distributor
* New MAC equal length headers
* New 9 quart Canton oil pan with baffles.

The car has been completely setup: corner weighted and full suspension geometry adjusted.

The Cobra runs incredibly well. Nothing to do to it. Come and drive it.
All receipts are available- a file box full of them.

Pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/allison...7620557458337/

Price: $26,000.00

Contact: Frederic
Tel: (248) 910-8971
Email: F.Boissinot@comcast.net

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by michaelj

I have saved up $25-$30k to buy my dream machine...the Cobra. I checked out Cobra Country and Ebay and there isn't a lot of choices in my price range. But I noticed there is a few at least.

however, I have no idea what to look for and not look for in that price range. Does anybody have any general advice...eg.. what kind of engine to expect, what should I be very aware of, am I good to go if it was build by a replica manufacturer?

Any advice...would be incredibly appreciated.

-your Future Cobra friend

If you have a bit more, I've got a extremely well built, non donor, show quality, no nonsense, no excuses FFR I'm selling for the widow of a really good friend (this is not a consignment sale, or a fire sale). I believe the estate wants $35,000 for it, but may (may) take less.


Bill S.