New Guy & Girl in FL

Exhelojocky · #1 (**permalink**) 01-26-2013, 02:12 PM

There are very few things I would consider myself "new" at or in, but this qualifies on many levels. My wife and I are expecting the delivery of our first cobra next week and the excitement of the event is keeping me up late....
This seems to be the place to as a owner of these awesome cars... And I have be in the "want" column since I was twelve saving paper route money for one of these monsters...
Any advice on Do's and Don'ts on day one of ownership from those who have already lived it would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks in advance,
Rick

tcrist · #2 (**permalink**) 01-26-2013, 02:22 PM

Welcome to the madness Rick,

First thing that I can think of is to respect the car or it will bite you.

Get used to the power to weight ratio, especially around corners. Keep it in a straight line when you press on the loud pedal.

Watch out for snake bites (sidepipes will play hell with your lower legs).

Other than that, have fun with it.

Exhelojocky · #3 (**permalink**) 01-26-2013, 02:44 PM

Thanks for those words.... All good advice, and right in line with the little voices in my head.
I am not new to fast things, just Cobra's, and especially Backdraft Cobra's. I know my VIN ends in 1001, but could not tell you what the build number is, might be on the owners manual... not sure, based on weeks of research, I am sure it one of the few I can fit in for any length of time, I will be the second owner of this car.

patrickt · #4 (**permalink**) 01-26-2013, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exhelojocky

Any advice on Do's and Don'ts on day one of ownership from those who have already lived it would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks in advance,
Rick

If the car is really new, break it, and you, in for 500 miles before you do any sort of hard driving. There are tons of posts on cautions for new drivers, like this one from four years ago: ERA 752 made it home safe w/pics What might really surprise you is how your car will make other drivers drive poorly, act goofy, not pay attention, and generally distract you. And, sadly, we've had more than a few people get killed in these cars, so, take your time learning how twitchy they can be before you put your foot in to it.

Exhelojocky · #5 (**permalink**) 01-26-2013, 02:55 PM

I will check that post out...
As for our car, it has 3700 miles on it, and I have had several discussions with the original builder of the car and engine, so break-in is good, but great advice on other drivers, I know I have had a few lane changes due to staring at a great car going by.... Didn't really think about it the other way.

Bernica · #6 (**permalink**) 01-26-2013, 03:36 PM

It's all about seat time and getting to know the car.....what it will and won't do, and learning your limits. Learn respect for the car. They do tend to bite. There are many "formally fearless" folks on this site that will attest to that. Google Dr Hal's quote...

B.M.B.C · #7 (**permalink**) 01-26-2013, 03:55 PM

Rule No.1 Dont let your wife burn her legs on the sidepipes else your new Cobra will be gone before you can really enjoy it.....

Bobcat · #8 (**permalink**) 01-26-2013, 03:55 PM

Welcome !!
Find an HPDE event/open track event and spend time on the track with a qualified instructor . You will really get to know the car and your capabilities . As others have said , these short wheelbase , high hp cars will bite you in a heartbeat .

Exhelojocky · #9 (**permalink**) 01-26-2013, 05:40 PM

Patrick, if you a few minutes, can you explain "lift-throttle under steer" on these cars, and if there is any compatible car that has the same responses...

Exhelojocky · #10 (**permalink**) 01-26-2013, 05:48 PM

Thanks guys for the advice, all really good things to do and remember.
Another question, I see folks referring to their Backdrafts as a build # (example #386), can the VIN give you a clue to this, or is it tied to something else? The reason I ask, is that since it is a used car and I am the (for the most part) the second owner, and some of the folks on here may know some history about the car I can't get from anywhere else...

patrickt · #11 (**permalink**) 01-26-2013, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exhelojocky

Patrick, if you a few minutes, can you explain "lift-throttle over steer" on these cars, and if there is any compatible car that has the same responses...

Lift Throttle Over Steer is when you go in to a corner, you think you're going a little too fast, so you lift your foot off the throttle, and maybe even, God-forbid, touch your brakes, and the weight of the car transfers to the front wheels and off the rear wheels. The lessening of adhesion on the rear wheels results in the rear "breaking loose" and coming around on the car. Because the wheel base of the Cobra is so short, you have a very short radius to your circle, which means this happens very, very fast. If you've ever seen a car, off the road, on the inside of a curve, completely turned around so it's pointing at you, that's what happened.

Exhelojocky · #12 (**permalink**) 01-26-2013, 06:00 PM

Got it! Had a little of that with a 944 turbo once, but had a bit of help from the frozen rain that just started...
Thanks for taking the time to answer! I can barely navigate this site, first day learning curve.
You guys rock!

patrickt · #13 (**permalink**) 01-26-2013, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exhelojocky

Got it! Had a little of that with a 944 turbo once, but had a bit of help from the frozen rain that just started...
Thanks for taking the time to answer! I can barely navigate this site, first day learning curve.
You guys rock!

Take your Cobra to a really wide open flat asphalt place and practice making mistakes. Sooner or later you will find yourself going in to a corner "a little too fast" and you'll remember what not to do by having practiced it before. Then you start noticing stuff like this pic, and the tell-tale skid marks.

dcdoug · #14 (**permalink**) 01-26-2013, 06:45 PM

Do some autocrossing. Great to learn the handling dynamics of the car at safe speeds in a parking lot. Fun too.

cHarley · #15 (**permalink**) 01-27-2013, 06:24 AM

In Florida you can register it as a 1965

cHarley

Exhelojocky · #16 (**permalink**) 01-27-2013, 06:42 AM

That is very true, we are putting antique plates on the car.

Exhelojocky · #17 (**permalink**) 01-27-2013, 06:44 AM

Not crazy about the robin- egg blue color against the Black and Tan, but I won't be looking at behind the wheel....lol.

andig · #18 (**permalink**) 01-27-2013, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exhelojocky

Thanks guys for the advice, all really good things to do and remember.
Another question, I see folks referring to their Backdrafts as a build # (example #386), can the VIN give you a clue to this, or is it tied to something else? The reason I ask, is that since it is a used car and I am the (for the most part) the second owner, and some of the folks on here may know some history about the car I can't get from anywhere else...

The VIN doesn't tie in with the BDR#. I would call the Backdraft Racing HQ in Florida as I would have thought they would have a records system that would tie in your VIN with their BDR#.

Good luck and enjoy the car. I have just taken delivery of my second one.

Andy