Just beginning the research Process.........
 

Well, where do I begin. I am very interested in building a car. However, I have many questions as I am just beginning this journey. I am in no rush, and hope to have a car in eight years.

I want to meet with people in the bay area and talk with them about the cars they have, and try to begin making choices about what company I would like to purchase my kit.

In short, I think networking is the first step. Where do the club members meet for social functions? I would really appreciate any help in the initial steps of this process.

Regards,

Ed Matthews

You should look into Mr Turks car... a real beauty:)

Eight years...too soon?
 

I hoped to begin the build process in eight years....not have a running car.

I will look into it, but first, where do I find Mr Turk?

Ed

You're too fast on the draw, Gordon!
Iwantone,
Ate@chevs.aol.com------go! But wait six weeks....per Turk's pricing arrangement. If you want to build one, buy Turks SUPERB car, take it apart, reassemble it, and then put a monster engine in it.

I'm building one right now. A Midstates Classic Cobra in Hooper Nebraska. Check with Bob Kallio, he'a very good to work with. I looked at Superformance, Factory Five Racing and Shell Valley also. Good Luck

Super 38 - you checked other brands... - reasons for selecting the Midstates???? Just curious....

Super 38
I don't know why I thought of this. But FYI. Midstates is owened by Shell Valley.

Lew

Confused
 

So, I am a bit baffled. I was wondering who Turk is, a Cobra builder, an owner?

I see the email, but I am not sure what to say- Given I do not know who he is, or what he does.

Ed

Iwantone
=========
Go to cobras for sale and you will see Turk's killer ERA sans enegine. One of the finest cars available. Contact Turk for my info.

His link seems to be dead?

I passed reading comprehension...

We meet at the Athena Restaurant in Dublin, Saturday mornings at 7-7:30 and hang around until 9 or so.. It is on Dublin Boulevard across from the Civic centre... take 680 to 580 east, first exit is Hopyard.... go north to Dublin Blvd (first intersection) turn left .. about a quarter mile up on the right...

regards

Steve

*Phew*

Someone who could be of assistance. I will jot down the info and trek down there one Saturday- Before the weather gets sour.

I live in Benicia, not a big drive by any means.

Much appreciated!

Regards,

Ed Matthews

Plenty of opinions
 

A year and a half ago I took the plunge after doing lots of research and visiting several of the kit companies. I read all of Curt Scotts publications and the 12 Golden Rules are great. I bought my kit from Lone Star Classics of Fort Worth, Texas. I am just finishing the kit now. I will be sending it out for paint next week. Iam doing the rough body work myself. I have had the car out for a few test drives, but it is back up on the stands so I can sort out a few problems before sending to paint. It has been a blast, I have never enjoyed anything so much in my life. Particularly the night I fired it up for the first time. I haven't done anything crazy in the car yet because it is not broken in yet. But it is coming soon. Just the test drives let me know that there is far more car than driver. I installed a short throw shifter into the T5 trans and mistakenly got it into 3rd gear at a stop sign. I let the clutch out gave it a little gas and went IMMEDIATELY to 35 MPH without hesitation or smoking the tires, I didn't realize what I had done until I tried shifting into 2nd which was actually 4th and the car balked a little and then instantly shot to 65 MPH. I never had the tach over 3000 RPM. I didn't realize I was doing 65 in a 35 MPH zone for a minute. Then it suddenly dawned on me that I had done the start from 3rd and not 1st. Enough about the war stories.

Don't do the donor car thing unless you absolutely have to.

Use new parts always.

Budget your project and then throw in a 50% contingency line item. If you think a task will take you a month it will take you two. Everyone is an expert in this business and many don't know their ass from a hole in the ground. So ask lots of experts and when you come up with a common answer it might be true. When ordering kits, car parts or services, specify clearly what you want and expect, then inspect very carefully all pieces, parts and services. Two or three of my sad stories on this build go back to ordering something correctly and not getting what I ordered. Lone Star is not guilty on any of these counts. Don't assume anything. Who ever you buy your kit from make sure they have excellent phone and email technical support. Lone Star has some real aces. Dennis is awesome on technical stuff the owner Steve is great to. They answer their phones, get practical answers to you fast are not afraid of the internet and email. The parts department is good also. The sales reps are usually knowledgeable and know when it is time to get the company expert on the phone.

So far I have about 200 hours into the kit. I have done ALL of the work myself (not recommended). I do have a decent shop and equipment. I did have some hot rod experience in my much earlier life. I have rebuilt and built a few engines etc. But I have never done anything this extensive. It can be done in less time with experience and help. There are so many other thing I could say (all are positive). This is something I have wanted to do since my first ride in a real 427 Cobra SC in 1968. My only regret is waiting so long. Do it right when you do it, but don't wait for the right time it will never be the righ time. Yes it is expensive and very time consuming, but it can be the most rewarding thing you will ever do.

Thanks Cobra Chuck
 

I appreciate the reply. That was an extensive reply that took some time. *Cheers*

I live in Benicia, and my brother is in Vacaville. I would be interested in seeing your project.

I am looking at the ERA, but still have mucho research to do in the order of kits that are available. But, I have heard great things about ERA. As for a doner, I am not interested in putting a cobra shell on a mustang....its still a mustang, right?

Regards,

Ed

Iwantone,
I wouldn't consider a doner cobra a mustang. I have a friend that just finished building a factory five. He used mostly new parts on his car. It turend out to be a beautiful car and it is an excellent example of a Cobra Replica.

I too spent lots of time doing research. I have a pile of research documents that you can have. If you would like to meet some time I can hand over my 7 - 10 years of research.

Don't forget to go to www.cobracounty.com and buy the latest book by Curt Scott on the golden rules of puchasing a cobra. This will provide you more information than you can imagine. It will teach you the real questions you need to be asking.

Make sure if somebody give you one that you get the most recent updated to the book. If you have a chance to talk to the author take it.

good luck and have fun

I am interested, I will keep the offer in mind as I plod throught the information. I planned to get the book you recommended, as it seems to have so much information.

But, I would love to meet Cobra owners and see their "pride 'n joy" and learn from their experiences.

Much thanks,

Ed Matthews

Iwantone, Turk lives in Vacaville!!! He is the General manager of a Cadillac,Chevy, Gmc dealership there, go to the photo gallery and look in his gallery or go to gasholes.com and look.

Ed
ERA does a good kit. As far as using a donor car it is not just a Mustang with a Cobra body. Most often the kit frame is more rigid than a Mustang, some of the suspension is upgraded, the center of gravity is lower and the big plus is a finished kit weighs about 2200 - 2400 lbs instead of 3000-3400 of the Mustang. I have seen a couple of pretty awesome completed donor kits. Any kit winds up being a summation of the amount of blood, sweat, tears and good judgement. My phone # is 707-446-0061. Give me a call and we will set up a time for you to see my summation. Weekdays are bad, weekends are when I am the most accessible.

Chuck

Iwantone
If you want to see what mine looks like for future reference, give me a call at 707-422-7777 on Monday. I too live in Vacaville.
You are welcome to look at it.

TURK