Newbie from France

marco454v8 · #1 (**permalink**) 01-07-2011, 10:31 AM

Hi all, I thought it was about time I became a registered user (been looking as a guest for a few years!)
I'm Mark, English living in the South of France near Cannes. I've been building an AK427 for about (hate to say this) SEVEN years

I'm just putting it back together after painting, so nearly there! carpets this weekend, just got the doors and side vents to paint, and then enjoy!
I'll post some pictures as soon as I finish the doors.
AK use a Jag based chassis to which I have built and fitted a BB Chevy454 (I know it's not a Ford-but the next one will be!) it's Guardsman blue with Wimbledon white stripes (I wanted to be different

)
Anyway, great site, cheers, Mark

ha_pe_1968 · #2 (**permalink**) 01-07-2011, 10:52 AM

Hi Mark!

Welcome....and greetings from Austria your more or less neighborhood.
Look at my Gallery...i do not think that a BB 454 is a bad engine - but you are right it should be in a Chevy.

Peter

marco454v8 · #3 (**permalink**) 01-07-2011, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ha_pe_1968

Hi Mark!

Welcome....and greetings from Austria your more or less neighborhood.
Look at my Gallery...i do not think that a BB 454 is a bad engine - but you are right it should be in a Chevy.

Peter

Hi Peter, were you at the Riviera happening last May in St. Tropez by any chance? Also, did you receive info on Slovenia happening this May?
Mark

SunDude · #4 (**permalink**) 01-07-2011, 11:10 AM

So what's it like, "feeding" a BB 454 in Europe? Gas prices there make the stuff seem free in North America. Rob any banks lately?

marco454v8 · #5 (**permalink**) 01-07-2011, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SunDude

So what's it like, "feeding" a BB 454 in Europe? Gas prices there make the stuff seem free in North America. Rob any banks lately?

Don't know yet- I've done about three miles! 98 unleaded here is 1.50€/litre, which is about 8.83$/Gallon how does that compare to the US?

ha_pe_1968 · #6 (**permalink**) 01-07-2011, 11:32 AM

Hi Mark!

No i was not at St. Tropez at May.

Sundude...haha..no bank robbery needed for the gasoline here. The weather here is the most time so bad and cold that there is no need for lots of gasoline.

By the way the 454 in my Vette needs 30% less gasoline as my Ford Roush 427R in the Cobra - so it seems Marks choice is the right one for Europe

marco454v8 · #7 (**permalink**) 01-07-2011, 11:36 AM

just need the weather to improve- we've had rain all through December (unusal for here) and it's raining now, forecast till tuesday, so no chance of getting the Cobra out for a photoshoot

Peter, I'll email you the Slovenia info
Mark

Trevor Legate · #8 (**permalink**) 01-07-2011, 12:02 PM

Greetings from the Old Country (or should I say: the Empire) I trust you'll have the kettle on next time I'm passing through..... ;-)

kurtmart · #9 (**permalink**) 01-07-2011, 12:50 PM

Wow. Driving from Cannes to Monte Carlo in a Cobra, now that's the life. Eating up little FIATs and Smart Cars along the way. Stomp on the throttle in the tunnels for me mate.

tcrist · #10 (**permalink**) 01-07-2011, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marco454v8

Don't know yet- I've done about three miles! 98 unleaded here is 1.50€/litre, which is about 8.83$/Gallon how does that compare to the US?

97 unleaded around here in mid/northern California is only getting around the $3.50/gallon. Soon to be into the $5.00 range from the rumors. I still do not know why the fuel cost so much in Europe. You are all closer to the main oil producers than we are here in the USA.

Also, I see nothing wrong with having a Chevy motor in a Cobra replica. If Chevy had not turned CS down we probably all would have Chevy motors.

SunDude · #11 (**permalink**) 01-07-2011, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcrist

I still do not know why the fuel cost so much in Europe. You are all closer to the main oil producers than we are here in the USA.

That's a common misconception. In fact the top sources of crude oil/petroleum imports to the U.S. are Canada and Mexico. Saudi Arabia is next, with Venezuela next in line. And don't forget that much of your oil comes from domestic (U.S.) sources too.

Gas prices for 94 octane in Ontario, Canada, were around CAD$1.30/litre this year which is about USD$5.00 per US gallon. Steep enough, if you ask me.

The way my Cobra drinks this stuff, especially in city driving, you'd think there was a hole in the tank. Thankfully our dreadful winters force my Cobra to hibernate, giving my wallet a chance to recover.

Mark, I can only imagine how wonderful it must be to drive around the south of France in your Cobra. Go get 'em...

Tommy · #12 (**permalink**) 01-07-2011, 08:00 PM

Mark,
The thought of an Englishman terrorizing the French in something as uncivil as a Cobra reminds me of my time working with the RAF in Germany. We American fliers were under orders to minimize loud, low flying over significant towns. When I asked my Brit buddy about that, he just looked at me like I was crazy and said, "Why would we care what the German's think? We won the war." .... Have fun.

henrik · #13 (**permalink**) 01-07-2011, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tommy

Mark,
The thought of an Englishman terrorizing the French in something as uncivil as a Cobra reminds me of my time working with the RAF in Germany. We American fliers were under orders to minimize loud, low flying over significant towns. When I asked my Brit buddy about that, he just looked at me like I was crazy and said, "Why would we care what the German's think? We won the war." .... Have fun.

This reminds my why WWI became WWII - same attitude

and also how a tread again gets infected...

But... Welcome Mark - You must be like a child getting the Cobra ready after such a long build... Hope you will have no problems in getting plates on the Cobra.

dcdoug · #14 (**permalink**) 01-08-2011, 03:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcrist

97 unleaded around here in mid/northern California is only getting around the $3.50/gallon. Soon to be into the $5.00 range from the rumors. I still do not know why the fuel cost so much in Europe. You are all closer to the main oil producers than we are here in the USA.

Simple. Taxes. Lots of them.

marco454v8 · #15 (**permalink**) 02-15-2011, 08:53 AM

Hi Guys,
as promised, a few photos.

Mark

Clois Harlan · #16 (**permalink**) 02-15-2011, 12:19 PM

That's more than I pay for 110 Leaded Race Fuel. But I do get 4/mpg!

In Tulsa, OK I pay about $3.07 for 91 octane or I can get the E85/E15 for $2.50 gal

Quote:

Originally Posted by marco454v8

Don't know yet- I've done about three miles! 98 unleaded here is 1.50€/litre, which is about 8.83$/Gallon how does that compare to the US?

BBfangs · #17 (**permalink**) 02-15-2011, 02:23 PM

marco454v8,

Nice car, good luck with it. I always enjoy hearing about other countries. If I ever get the chance I would love to visit over seas. I haven't been anywere. Not to worry about the BBC, I'm there with you. It's all about what the owner wants.