New Cobra owner but total car newbie - Awesome!

[DWRAT]

Keep in mind there is a pedal bender floating around the country that works really well.
You will need to ad your name to the list and it will show up at your door.
I used it on my old FFR and it worked wonders to separate the pedals.

[1795]

Looks great. I am planning on meeting a friend in Fort Erie, Ontario in the next few weeks. Send me a pm with contact information and I will stop by and look at the car and discuss FE maintenance with you. Looks good.

Jim

[MOTORHEAD]

Mils: Great looking car !! Congrats and welcome to the Insanity of owning a streetable race car! Whats the story with the wheels?? Second pic shows bolt-on wheels, no KO's, rest of pics shoe KO's.
Have fun!

Ted

[Mils]

So the initial pics were before the test drive when it was still in their garage. We took it for a test drive and 2 of the KO's came off some how. Turns out they are secured in the wheel with a hex screw?? Not too happy about that but we just didn't put them back on at the time I took the full body pics. Actually, we never found 1 of them. Another weird thing happened, the driver side hood latch pulled out of the mechanism. Seemed like there should be a C clip or something on it?? Obviously i have a lot to learn.

Anyway, all that will be fixed by delivery. I purchased it at Flemings Muscle Cars in Rockville MD.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Mils

...2 of the KO's came off some how. Turns out they are secured in the wheel with a hex screw?? ... Another weird thing happened, the driver side hood latch pulled out of the mechanism.

Remember, this car is 30 years old and was put together by who knows who. The fact that it has 8000 miles on it is good, as that is a nice sweet spot. But, before you even think about getting on her, put 500 miles of gentle, "learning" type driving on it. That will give it a chance to fall apart while you're driving slow. Of course, put it up on a lift, or block stands, the first week and go over it as best you can to see if anything jumps out as being loose or ready to go. Have some of the local Cobra club guys help you if you don't know what you're looking at. These are actually very simple cars. Much easier to work on that even a new cheapo Toyota.

[Mils]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Remember, this car is 30 years old and was put together by who knows who. The fact that it has 8000 miles on it is good, as that is a nice sweet spot. But, before you even think about getting on her, put 500 miles of gentle, "learning" type driving on it. That will give it a chance to fall apart while you're driving slow. Of course, put it up on a lift, or block stands, the first week and go over it as best you can to see if anything jumps out as being loose or ready to go. Have some of the local Cobra club guys help you if you don't know what you're looking at. These are actually very simple cars. Much easier to work on that even a new cheapo Toyota.

Sound advice, thank you. I had a NY local member offer to stop by when she's delivered to give me rundown of things. Initially i felt 5yr experience with my Z06 would be valuable. I'm reading now, it is really not. I'll be babying her while i get used to the power/weight difference, not the mention NO TRACTION CONTROL.

[Luke427]

Congratulations!
I have a similar issue with pedals - clutch and throttle are so far away there's no way I can tow-heel so I'm getting interested into the national pedal bender story

Also I'd be one of those to say 'get rid of these tires, get some real rubber on this beast' !

Congrats again, the cobra is one of the most addictive cars on Earth!

[Ron61]

This is very true, Initially i felt 5yr experience with my Z06 would be valuable. I'm reading now, it is really not.

The Cobra will not drive or handle like any other car you have ever driven. I had nothing but high performance cars before I got my first Cobra, and it was a brand new experience. I went to several high performance driving schools at the road track near here and they are invaluable I believe as you get to drive your own car and really learn what it will do and what your limits are.

Ron

[Mils]

COBRA COMES TODAY!!!

So i'm looking at new rubber now. I've always been partial to Nitto's for price/performance. It seems from the Tires/wheels thread that its not a bad option.

[streetrod1927]

Congrats on the purchase. Piloti's are a good choice, it was one of the first things I did when I got my Contemporary.

[1795]

Craig,

It was great getting to meet you and see your nice cobra today. Should be a fun summer ahead for you. Keep in touch and let me know if there is anything else that you need. Your car had a nice rumble to it. Take car and enjoy. Remember to keep the rubber on the road and go slow as you get used to the car.

Jim

[Mils]

Thanks for making the trip! I learned more in our hour or so than in the last month. Nice to meet people with the same love for Cobras. Will definitely stay in touch! Thanks again Jim.