Congratulations on the purchase and join the limited ranks of Daytona lovers/owners/drivers!

Like David, anxious to hear of your impressions and experiences.

Jeff - SPC0136

1965 Shelby Daytona Coupe for sale
 

Well, the car is here. Because of travel, the only thing I could do was
to see the car - which looks great and it is brand new - and start the engine
which of course was fantastic, since the sound is absolutely mind boggling.
Very frustating to see it and not be able to drive it.
It will happen on when I come back from my trip, during the week of August 8and I will let you know my first impressions. Once again thanks for the advice which turned out to be spot on.

Driving impressions?
 

From your last message, I assume you have returned and have driven your coupe a bit. What are your impressions (both good and not so good)????

1965 Shelby Daytona Coupe for sale
 

I have not driven the car yet. Before my trip to Europe, I saw the car, and turned on the engine, to hear that great sound.
But I did not drive it yet.
Just arrived today and I will be driving the car next week, and as soon as I drive it I will give you my impressions.
But the first impression, looks and sound was extremely positive

congrats! We need pictures too! :)

1965 Shelby Daytona Coupe for sale
 

Well, finally I had my first drives with the Daytona Coupe. I tried the car this last Friday and during the weekend driving around 80 miles.
We are still in the process of getting acquainted with each other, and it
will take a little more time to get fully comfortable with each other.
But I can tell you this is a hell of an automobile!
The looks are terrific. Everybody turns to see the car. The sound is fantastic.
I love the gearbox, very easy to use.
The dashboard with all these vintage gauges that you cannot find in
any car nowadays.
It is a car from the sixties, with nothing between you and the car.
And of course it is a racing car. The only creature comfort is the air
conditioning. All the rest is there to make the car perform.
I still have to try it on back roads, where I can push the car, after
getting acquainted with its reactions, to test the handling, and then
to the track.
Driving position is not the best. I am 5'7", not Dan Gurney size, but
not a midget either. As the pedals are far back into the car, I have almost
to be on a lying down position to be comfortable in reaching the pedals
without being too close to the steering wheel. But I did get used relatively
fast.
Sometimes there is a strong smell of burned gas inside the cockpit, which
could be bothersome if I stay too long in the car.
I have a couple of old carburated cars, but they do not feel that strong.
Two have engines in the back, and probably it explains why the problem
does not affect the cockpit, but the other is a front engine car, and it
does smell but not as strong.
If anyone has a hint on how to solve this, please let me know.
I will post future driving experiences or any other, but I am really, really
pleased with this automobile

Would love to see pics. Is the seat adjustable? Is the smell from the exhaust or is it raw gas? Make sure there are no "holes" in the firewall and you are getting smells from the engine compartment.

Are your pipes side or rear exit?

When you say burned gas...I assume you mean exhaust fumes. Maybe the header connector to the side pipe needs tighening.

Jeff - SPC0136

Hi,
Both your problems are fairly common.
Shorter people have used pedal extensions to solve the pedal problem. I'm 6'1"plus so my problem is the opposite :0) You can also or instead adjust the tilt of the seat by removing the seat and swapping the washers sandwiched between the seat and floor at the four seat fasteners - which are accessible through holes covered with rubber caps on the underside of the car. Take the rear washers and stack them at the front fastener locations to tilt the seat back (you will probably need 1/4" long fasteners at the front to accommodate the added washer(s). You should now be able to slide the seat further forward to accommodate your shorter leg length and yet maintain the longer arm length desired with the steering wheel otherwise so close to your chest (ala 1960's seating position).
I found that the seat bottom bolsters are too thick and I removed the seat bottom covers, thinned out the foam cushioning, and replaced the covers for a much better and improved seating position.
As for the fumes, you are probably getting engine compartment fumes primarily through the ventilation system. There is a fresh air/HVAC interface between the hood and the lip on top of the HVAC box (carbon fiber box on the right side of the engine compartment). Fumes leak in at this interface. Take some foam weather striping and line the receptacle in the hood that mates with the HVAC lip when the hood is closed to improve the seal and eliminate/reduce the fumes getting into the ventilation system. Open and close the hood a couple of times and check the weather striping to see if there is an impression from the lip to make sure you are getting contact and hence sealing. You may also be getting fumes through the firewall and/or tranny tunnel, shifter boot, and such. Check to see if you have a gap between the boot and the shifter (if you feel air blowing past while you're driving, you're getting fumes through the boot) and other obvious places. Some fumes will get through at the pedal/firewall openings but not all that bad.
Best,
Ron Weingart

ermenasce,
Hope you can join us for the Fall Sprint on October 15th... http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/tri-...-ma-pa-ri.html

Would love to see some Daytona Coupes in the group.

1965 shelby daytona Coupe for sale
 

Thanks for the advice on the questions I asked.
I will try them.
And I am also looking forward to the events where I can take my car.
There are a couple of Ferrari events this weekend.
I will take the Daytona Coupe and I am sure that everybody will be all
over my car.

1965 shelby daytona Coupe for sale
 

Cashburn
I have an event at New Jersey Motorsport Park.
It is with the Porsche Club of America, and it runs for two full days,
October 14 and 15.
I will try to leave early on the 15th and join you in your drive.
I have been to Bear Mountain before and it is a great drive.
I live in Rye, NY, and not far from your event.

Daytona, like no other...
 

Enjoy you new purchase. I've had mine over 5 years and had to do some adjustments to the seat for fit, plus added A/C so the "War Dept." (aka wife) would ride along. I believe that's only natural that you have to customize these type of cars to your physical requirements. After all, you wear these cars...you don't just sit in them.

I entered mine in a Vintage race 2 years ago to qualify for a Vintage Motorsports Council competition license. The car on the track with other real full race prepared cars (GT 350's, Camaros, Corvettes, etc.) performed awesome all weekend without incident or mechanical issues and was quite competitive!

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...mbs/Q-_091.jpg

You are right about the fact that it draws a crowd. Don't enter a car show unless you want to start collecting gaudy trophies.

Yes they are loud to drive/ride in...yes they are hot even with A/C...yes they are a little rough to drive, like any race car...yes they will capture more pictures than any other car on the road...yes some will even offer you unusual favors just for a ride...and yes, there is the smells of the engine...gas, coolant, oil, rubber, brakes cooking, and even occassionally that sweet smell of racing gas exhaust.

ENJOY! No one else does. Let me know if I can be of assistance in helping you become acquainted with your new beast.

Congratulations! :):):)

The Brock Coupes are truly neat cars, - I know you will enjoy it - Nicks car SPC0102 just left after we tuned things up a bit and the GEN 1 suspension is truly awesome.

cant wait to get SPC0054 on the road.