Just brought a cobra and need friends

[PCC]

Yes, the windscreen did look a little different - Lowrider!

What sound system did you go for?

i just changed my head deck for a nice Pioneer 60W unit. No amp needed in the car - too small anyway! It even plays downloaded video clips!

You'll find most Cobra owners use a human security system - never leave your eye off it!

Sounds like the Snake Pit is already hissing for dosh!

[Blair]

Hey Boxhead, my name is Michael and I am 24 years old and you guessed it, my first car is a Shelby Cobra. Been in Innisfail for 17 years now.

Now a serious question, would any of you Cobra owners want to divulge how much it cost in parts for your Cobras. I think I am getting a little shafted and would like to know where you all got your parts from (if you built your own cars). I just want to finish mine without paying premium prices> any help would be appreciated.

Blair

[boxhead]

What kinda parts are you thinking you have paid too much for?
I havent bought any shiney stuff for my car yet so I cant help with those prices.

[302cobra]

Interesting look you got going on, with your cobra there (I looked at your gallery). Its always interesting to see what people do to their cobra to make it unique.

[Blair]

Boxhead I thought your car was going! Are you still building yours as well? I think my point about part prices is 'building this car was supposed to be relatively cheap'. I rember reading an article saying anywhere from $30 000 to the most expensive $55 000. I am quickly approaching the latter and it feals I am going nowhere. I think it is because when you have to buy a certain part there are always 2 options and for some reason the more expensive of the two either is (a) looks better and (b) is a better more reliable part. So i was just wondering does everyone else find this as well.

Blair

[boxhead]

Yeah I am still assembling mine.
I have plenty of pics in my gallery if ya wanna take a peak.
I think includeing purchase price of the kit I am upto about $20,000 (but I have scored some expensive items at very very reasonable prices (read free)).
From the looks of your description, you are fitting alot of extra's (read expensive) that most people dont fit until after the car is done. This is probably why your spending more than alot do in a build.

[400TT]

I've never been able to build them cheap.

If you are really honest with build cost and add up every cent spent, it really does cost to have a nice car. I've built both DRB & Harrison with my brother, so had to keep very detailed build costs.

Currently rebuilding a GT40 and just a freshen up is going to chew through $15-$20K very quickly.

To build what most people here would consider a reasonable Cobra, would cost around $50k these days.

To build something a little more special, a lot more than $50k.

The days of $30k car are gone for us mere mortals. We couldn't even build a bare bones street legal racer(no paint, no shiney stuff, no interior) for less than $30k.

Most of us don't have the skills/equipment/space to do a lot of specialist work required on these cars, so always have to outsource some stuff.

Biggest areas to save money are:

* Hit all swap meets. You can save a lot of money here if you know what you are looking for. But it will take a lot of time and a lot of very early morning. eg you could pick up a nice set of headlight chrome rings for DRB for a couple of dollars, they are as common as dirt. Harrison/RMC ones are a little harder.

* Check local paper and ebay for parts.

* Buy as much stuff as you can directly from the US.

* Keep an eye out for club members selling parts that are no longer required.

* Buy a wreck/front cut. You get a lot of useful stuff. But you got to get rid of the mess afterward.

[Blair]

Thanks Craig, I agree with the notion of buying directly from the U.S. I have saved bundles already buy missing out the middle man and buying directly from the companies themselves. eg Trigo Wheels and Autometer. However what about parts that are unique to the Cobra. The best place I can find is www.cobraaccerories.com ? Are these what you call good prices? I rather buy from Australia but when you can save thousands and spend the savings on more parts it is hard to resist.

Blair

[Rebel1]

Check this thread and weep fellas.

New Cobra on the road for $16,400 !!!

Don't think I could do it.

[Blair]

Rebel1 there is one difference between you and me mate. "I know I couldn't do it"! Might get that bloke to build mine, as long as he gets the dam thing going. Then I need someone else to fund my new mechanic. And I thought I wasn't a business man! Then I need someone else to persuade my GF that going to Sancutary Cove for a weekend will not include a car show of some description. Car breakfast maybe!

[400TT]

Blair, yep, that's one of the good places. Also Ebay US.
If you find someone that won't ship overseas. You can use someone like http://shopthestates.com to forward items to you.

Rebel1, I've seen that cobra. The owner loves it and that's great for him...some interesting and well thought out engineering. I'm not offering an opinion on it as a Cobra though.

I can't see only $16k in it though. Factor in cost of chassis(Harrison), plus stuff you need to buy from Harrison at that time - Harris custom front arms & steering shaft. Then he had new 17" alloys & tyres, windscreen, new vdo gauges, engineer & rego cost...I'm nearly there already.

Craig did say he sold panels from wreck to fund chassis. Well that's $10k worth of panels...hmm. He must have also had a lot of parts sitting at home that he had previously purchased or parts he got for free from family or friends. Or he has a lot of mates in business that he could get free/cheap stuff. And didn't include all the small stuff that adds up to big $$$.

I think the $16k price was cost he told his partner.

I can certainly believe that it cost less than $30k...but coming along to a meeting and pushing the $16,400 price was a bit much to swallow.

I'm happy for anyone that can build a cheap Cobra and I reckon the best bang for buck Cobra's in QLD is Pete's gold DRB. Sensational value...we could all learn from that build. Still not a lot of change from $50k though.

[Rebel1]

hehehe Blair, Let me give you some cobra type advice.

First off... you don't call your lady the "Girl Friend". You call her your " first girl friend". Like I call my wife, the first wife.

It keeps em on their toes.

Second... why do you think we have brekky at sanctuary cove. While you're checking out the cars, send the lady to check out the millionaire boats, or send her to the hair dresser salon, or to go check out the very latest in the most expensive fashions she will ever see.

Tell her to take her time cuz there'll be quite a few cars if you come on the right day.

Lastly, don't introduce her to us more elderly types. We're likely to tell her a whole bunch of lies just to get you in trouble.

Just ask Al ( NASSTY on here) from Melbourne.

And...I agree with all Craig said above...$50.000 is about it for a good build. More depending on power plant.

[Blair]

Like how I didn't really need a Charger and that working side exhausts are not necessary!

Blair

[boxhead]

Gotta have the side pipes Blair, my personal opinion on a Cobra is V8, loud side pipes and beautiful lines

[Blair]

Look I know it is illegal to have working side exhausts in Queensland but how many people actually have the legal under the chassis exhaust with a butterfly valve that can be turned and allow the side exhausts to actually work?

P.s> Put some photos up and will put more up when I am at home and using broadband instead of this Holden like dial up!

Blair

[Rebel1]

Blair, From my perspective, working side pipes are great..and make a cobra...but

I admit to prefering under car exhausts and if you want pipes..put them on...but not working ones.

They are the main reason cars get pinged for an inspection.

[Cameron Parsons]

Or, go no sidepipes at all and opt for the Roadster trim..

Each to his own...

As for build prices... I'm not even going there

"Umm, let me see, OK, I'll have the silver roadster with all the shiny bit's... Do you take Amex??"

Cameron

[Blair]

When I grow up I want a Number Plate lit BoxHeads!

Blair

[PCC]

Its not waht you build, its what you spend afterwards.

Hmmmmm. That sounds good, but was that $100 or $1,000?

What's a few noughts when's it too much to begin with!!!

[boxhead]

That is a plate that the guys at work made up to have a laugh at me.
It starts because another work colleague his nickname is Peanut (comes from Kingaroy area)
And me being bigger than him (and his boss) the techs decided that I am Walnut (since I too came to Alice from Queensland)