California Cobra is Shutting it's Doors

[Dinobyte]

ARGH!!!! After all my research and choosing of a builder for my BDR Cobra, I just found out Armond is going to close down the shop at California Cobra.

Now I have to go find another dealer, only problem is they are all east of the
Mississippi River so no local support.

Given there are only a couple of dealers, does anyone have a recommendation/endorsement for one of them?

Thanks
Dinobyte

[Doug I]

[xlr8or]

Sorry to hear about Armond. Might I suggest a Kirkham. They are just up the road aways in Utah.

[Cashburn]

I know a really great one... seriously give me an idea what you are after and I will do my best. We have a truck going that way in a month.

[jp65cobra]

This is really bad news. I bought from Armond last year and it was a good experience. I liked the 2 year warranty I got from him but now I guess that's dust. I have taken the car back for some minor things over the last few months and he always came through. Did he say when he was going to close? What reasons did he give?

I would still go with BDR and get it from Vintage and have it shipped. Get a warranty on the engine and have him put miles on it before he ships.

I guess I will now have to do a little more of the work on the car.

Each one of these BDR's are different in one way or another but I have found this site is going to be very valuable down the road.

JP

[Dinobyte]

I don't want to convey Armond will not continue to support those vehicles already purchased, as I have no knowledge of that end of the operation.

March 31st, 2006 was the date given to me as to when they would cease doing business.

[jeffko]

Dinobyte, There are hundreds of BDR Cobras on the road and I think it would be safe to say that barely 10%, if that, reside within a convenient distance of a BDR rep. I do not have a local dealer anywhere near the Chicago area and have found I can do most everything I need myself. In the cases I can't or don't want to do the work there are plenty of specialty shops to do it. I have gotten a lot of support from Reg. With just a phone call I have gotten the answers I needed and even the part when required. Vintage also has many satisfied customers.

[mgiannetto]

DinoByte,

Purchase from Jay at Vintage - you won't be disappointed.

I got mine from him (and I am over 3 hours away from his shop - I know that's a lot closer than you). Shaun (sfeakes) also got his from Vintage and he lives down in Texas.

While they are not within driving distance for you, at least you know (from this forum) that they will do all they can to talk you thorugh anything that needs to be done. What other Backdraft dealer is posting suggestions to owners on this site?

Also, they are easy to get in touch with and know the cars inside and out.

Regards,

Mike

[sfeakes]

I couldn't agree more with Mike's comments.... Buy from Vintage.

I am in Texas, and the support I get is great. (Don't think that means that you can now start slacking (Jay & Brian)..;>

I won't go into details, but I have called a few times, and there has never been any question's, everythig has been fully taken care of. I get better and quicker service from Vintage than I do from any local car dealer on a normal production car.

Shaun

[ROUSHAC]

I can't say enough good stuff about Jay and Brian at Vintage Motorsports. They are knowledgeable, accomodating to requests, and good at what they do. Who could ask for more??? Well, maybe free BDR's. (How about it, Jay?)

Cheers!
Dave

[Blittleton]

Jeffko, I guess I need to present myself to you and everyone in the Midwest or else where in United States. GCPC is the the Midwest Dealer for Backdraft. We have been here since May of last year, and have delivered a couple in the Chicago Area. Give me a call if you need something.

Bill

[Cashburn]

Dave,
I have 4 green ones with your name on them. And one of them is actually full scale.

For the other Vintage Fans,
I can see I have some oil thermostat lines to make and a frame crossmember to protect the oil pan. You guys are killing Brian, he's working 7 days now ... and I'm doing a lot of quotes, or should I say invoices! My UT application is incomplete and I really don't care at this point, can't believe I would perhaps turn down UCLA if they give me the green light. I guess my diploma will have to read "Vintage University" haha.

If anyone is interested the BDR sales rate has been 3 cars per day this week! The secret is out and there are many tricks up the sleeves, any doubts have been erased.

Check out our Speedway Blue that is on its way:

[jeffko]

Bill, Thanks for saying hi. We know BDR is well represented and it does not take a rep in every major city to do it. We just want Dinobyte to know that the support is there for him.

[mgiannetto]

Jay,

You might want to look into a couple of Aero Beds for the shop.

Three cars per day this week - that's awesome! At that rate, the folks in SA won't be able to build and import them fast enough.

In addition, you won't need to worry about UT or UCLA. While that might be a fun diversion, you can't beat the experience you are getting now - real world experience running a business and not b-school theory (I apologize in advance to all the MBAs out there).

Stay well.

Mike

[salesco]

Armond,
don't you have anything to say? you have done a great job on my car and everyone has all good things to say about you. whats up???
chuck from san dimas

[SkipB]

Salesco and others,

Armond is probably a bit too busy to check out this website. He is working to sell the business if possible and if not, will shut it down. He has a bunch of cars to service and deliver before he is finished. If any of you know him, he refused to put a car on the street without it being just right. That has become more difficult lately. So, he has decided to retire rather than spend 7 days a week in the shop. I don't blame him, but will miss him as a Backdraft dealer. He will still be around and active in the San Diego Cobra cruise scene, I am sure. Call him if you need to talk to him. He is not the type to spend much time on the computer. I am sure he would rather spend time riding in a perfectly tuned car he just set up.

[Nor Cal Al]

AMEN!
Could not have said it better myself........
Thanks Skip

[Want1Bad]

I spoke with Armond yesterday. I hope I'm not talking out of school, but he's decided to hang it up and spend more time with his kids. Miguel is going to work at a mustang shop making $150,000 mustangs! Bottom line for Armond, he wasn't enjoying the ride. He loves the cars, loves the people, but there were aspects of the business he was not enjoying. I asked him about about something he was working on for me and he stated that he would not be leaving anyone hanging out to dry. I believe he is referring to work in progress, however; not future warranty work. I, too, picked up my BDR recently (November) and am concerned about warranty work. Since Smeding built the engine, I expect that for big engine issues will I talk to them. But for the BDR stuff, I guess I'm talking to Reg and co. For local maintenance, I've been checking around San Diego County and found Hot Rods and Custom Stuff in Escondido (www.hotrodscustomstuff.com). I'll be checking them out and will report back.

On a similar note, has anyone been to the BDR site and checked out the "dealers" -- almost empty now. Four dealers -- all east. Hmmm.

Anyway. That's all I've got to report. Hope it answers some of the questions.

[jp65cobra]

Bottom line... Armond is a great guy and will be hard to replace. I bought because of him and the way I knew he would look after me and cover my lack of knowledge. I wasn't wrong, he has been great.

My car is in his shop right now for some things before he departs. Hopefully all us San Diego guys can work together to keep each other informed.

[Want1Bad]

jp65cobra:

That's a good plan. Are you getting e-mails from Hank Steckel?

Gregg