First Miles

chill · #1 (**permalink**) 05-14-2003, 02:53 PM

I don't think I was this nervous when either of my kids were born... but then I hadn't done as much work for that event as I did on the Cobra. (I am sure someone will run with that one later, but back to the story...)

...anyway... The first drive was only up the the next cul-de-sac and back down the hill, but I could tell there was some potential under the hood. Listening for every sound and interpreting what it was

... was it a good sound or a bad sound

watch the gauges, watch the road, watch the gauges.... listen... temperature, pressure..check... now how's the car's temperature & pressure....

Then stop and check for leaks (it is British

).. a little oil here, some water there, oops there's a bunch of water...

After getting beads welded on the cooling pipes so the hoses won't slip off and checking the oil level, another test ride, farther this time... around the neighborhood... then out of the neighborhood... better get some gas...

The first trip to the Shell station took a while... fueling only took a few seconds, conversations took a while longer, but sure make you feel good

but nothing like the early evening run up Hwy 9... 74 degrees, 2500 rpm, my son in the passenger seat just grinning .... cruising and just now starting to enjoy the good sounds!!!

With only 100 miles, I'm hooked. Is it real? oh, its real alright, real fun, real cool, real fast, real beautiful.... and real-ly worth the effort and commitment.

Let's get out and drive!!!!

Tongue Pirate · #2 (**permalink**) 05-14-2003, 03:09 PM

That's awsome! I'm green with envy here!

Let's see some new pics!

CobraDan · #3 (**permalink**) 05-14-2003, 03:24 PM

CONGRATULATIONS

Dan

mikiec · #4 (**permalink**) 05-14-2003, 03:54 PM

Here's what you can look forward to.....The feeling never stops.

Even after 20,000 miles and 2 years, when I climb into the cockpit its as though it is for the first time.

Enjoy the feeling...................................

Mike

Tony Radford · #5 (**permalink**) 05-14-2003, 05:53 PM

Clyde, way to go! I just got in from a week in France, so I haven't been monitoring the site. Looks like you're just in time for SAAC.

DAVID L. VALDEZ · #6 (**permalink**) 05-15-2003, 06:00 AM

Chill,
I do not believe anyone really gets over the feeling of starting the heart of a monster, listening to the thunder, and feeling the unyielding acceleration. I have only 2000 miles seat time in my Cobra, and I do not believe I have ever had both sides of the carburetor pumping full volume. The one time I was getting to that point, I could feel my seat compressing and my feet moving away from the pedals. A wonderful club to belong to. I decided to not run with the onset comment you made! Leave that up to someone else. Good luck, pamper the engine until everything is well mated, and change the fluids often. A few bucks of fluids more often than you believe is necessary is precious to an investment of this magnitude.

Have fun

turnpike boy · #7 (**permalink**) 05-15-2003, 08:37 AM

Way to go, Chill! Just gets better from here on out.

Declared yesterday to be the "Take Your Cobra To Work" day, so naturally didn't get a damn thing done. Everybody, and I mean EveryBody, wants to see it / hear it / go for a ride in it.

Now 285 miles, and the guys above are right. It just gets better and better. Maybe the 38 year wait had something to do with it too.

Alex Donghi · #8 (**permalink**) 05-15-2003, 08:44 AM

Chill
congrats!! Lets get some of the boys together Saturday for lunch, maybe 5 Seasons, and you can show off your car

chill · #9 (**permalink**) 05-15-2003, 12:58 PM

I will post a few new pics later.

If the weather looks decent for Saturday, I'm game for either Donut Derelicts or lunch somewhere depending on whether it looks like rain early or late!!

Check back in Friday afternoon, maybe we can get out and drive!

Cracker · #10 (**permalink**) 05-15-2003, 01:09 PM

Congratulations Chill!

I live in the Crabapple area in Alpharetta - where you located?

Tony Hull
Cracker

Johan · #11 (**permalink**) 05-16-2003, 05:10 AM

I once had a Triumph Stag with a small block Chevy in it ( I know, I know ), and I worked on it all summer, engine, trans ,paint, etc. Late one night it was ready for a test drive, the very first one.
I got in it and went dowm the local "dragstrip", Lake Forest Rd., and as I hit about 70 mph something went whoooosh over the windshield. What was that I thought , a bird ? When I got home, pulled in the garage, under the lights, I realized my hood was missing. I had forgotten to bolt it on.
I screamed and hauled a$$ back over to where I had last seen the "bird", and finally located it in somebody's front yard, not a scratch on it. Sometimes dummys are lucky.
Congrats on getting your car running, can't wait to see it !

GeorgiaSnake · #12 (**permalink**) 05-16-2003, 09:42 AM

Chill I'm still waiting for the list of parts, hiccups etc and of course the drive to my house.

CONGRATULATIONS

I hope to be joining you in a few weeks.

Randy

Dave Crace · #13 (**permalink**) 05-16-2003, 09:51 AM

Hey Chill,
Congrats. Are you taking it up to SAAC?

DC

patrija · #14 (**permalink**) 05-16-2003, 10:23 AM

Congrats - We need to schedule a group ride again once the weather clears up

ToyCollector · #15 (**permalink**) 05-16-2003, 03:06 PM

No group rides til I'm done

Chill, bring it over here, I will need to valet park it of course!! It may of course take a little longer than the work you put into procreating your decendants

.

Anyways, Congrats!!

P.S. Spent about 4 hours at Southern today. Watched Master Lewis at work. Closest I can get to having a Cobra

luke-44 · #16 (**permalink**) 05-16-2003, 03:44 PM

[quote]Originally posted by Johan

and as I hit about 70 mph something went whoooosh over the windshield. What was that I thought , a bird ? When I got home, pulled in the garage, under the lights, I realized my hood was missing. I had forgotten to bolt it on.

That must have been a gut sinking feeling....

SilverCobra · #17 (**permalink**) 05-16-2003, 03:57 PM

Congrats Chill on the completion of your Unique and first ride!! Nothing like it. I too remember my first ride about 15 months ago with my oldest son - roaring around the neighborhood about 10:00 p.m. - hey look the speedometer really works!!!

Dang - there goes my neighbors car alarm.

Give us some pics of the final product.

ToyCollector · #18 (**permalink**) 05-16-2003, 07:54 PM

Great story John!!

chill · #19 (**permalink**) 05-18-2003, 05:20 PM

I am planning on going to SAAC. I have a room and I am registered... no track time though... I'm trying to get most of the bugs out before heading up there and I plan to take most of the day getting there...no need to rush. I hope the weather forecast is better next weekend than this one!!!

TC: I'll be right over.... yeah... sure.... and while you valet my car I will pick something from your car lot to follow you in!!!

Alex Donghi · #20 (**permalink**) 05-19-2003, 06:56 AM

Chill
your right about the weather my back yard is turning into a awamp. Bought one of those skeeter machines hope it works.
TC
so whats the timing so we can get back to group rides!!