Meatball thread

[Detroit Bill]

Nope I am not in that much of a hurry. I am going to contact the local Cobra club and see if I can look at some cars. Because I don't want a "kit" is slims the field. A Kirkham and Shelby don't interest me ether.

[Large Arbor]

Detroit Bill,

I am just a few hours South of you in Columbus if you want to look at an ERA with an aluminum FE 427. It will give you a feel for the quality of an ERA.

Phil

[Detroit Bill]

Originally Posted by Large Arbor

Detroit Bill,

I am just a few hours South of you in Columbus if you want to look at an ERA with an aluminum FE 427. It will give you a feel for the quality of an ERA.

Phil

I may take you up on that is it still rolling or is it up for the winter?

[Large Arbor]

It's still rolling if it gets to 45 degrees. I don't do the put up like Patrick. Only thing I have done is filled it with antifreeze as my garage is not heated. Started also the winter cleaning, polishing wheels, tightening bolts. If its dry, I'd fire it up and bring it out.

Phil

[CBattaglia]

Originally Posted by Detroit Bill

So I am looking to get into a cobra by spring. I am leaning towards a used Superformance, newer, say chassis number greater than 2000 lower miles.

When looking am finding lots of Roush 427 small blocks. Certainly nothing to sneeze at but I like the old school look of a big block. Obviously posting this in the FE forum will slant the replies.

Am I off to think this way?

If you end up with a car that is already built, make sure it doesn't have a PE (performance engineering) engine in it. There are a ton of documented issues with Eric and his thrown together motors.

[Tim7139]

Bill,
I was pretty much of the same opinion as yourself. This past year I got my higher # SPF with an FE, retiree owned with 4000 miles on it at a very fair price for all involved.
More importantly, zero regrets. They're out there and with a little patience you likely will find one.
About the only thing to factor is you should not be obsessive about a particular color you MUST have.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Tim7139;1****37

About the only thing to factor is you should not be obsessive about a particular color you MUST have.

... like a certain shade of beige.

[Detroit Bill]

Originally Posted by Tim7139;1****37

Bill,
I was pretty much of the same opinion as yourself. This past year I got my higher # SPF with an FE, retiree owned with 4000 miles on it at a very fair price for all involved.
More importantly, zero regrets. They're out there and with a little patience you likely will find one.
About the only thing to factor is you should not be obsessive about a particular color you MUST have.

I want to sell a car before the new one hits. It is more a question of parking then money. When I started looking the blue with white stripes was in my head from when I was a kid. Great combo no doubt. Now. I am leaning towards a dark gray with black stripes, 17" wheels black center, polished outer rim. And two roll bars. I know 2 roll bars does not look that good but I want shoulder straps for the passenger and to make it "safe". You need a roll bar. Kind of a catch 22. A Superformance ordered the way I want it is 120 days. An Era built by them ready to drop in an engine and trans is 7 months. Seems like the used market will not open up until spring. So I essentially have to commit one way or another to have a car this summer. More of the used stuff is Rousch which is fine but it does not float my boat. Survival is also an hour away from here so with their reputation I would have to give them a look for sure.



Who knows! I am not up for an older car 10-15 years old is too much for me.

By the way I stole this photo from the Superformance web site. It is their SEMA Lingenfelter car. Chevy powered.

[Bernica]

Originally Posted by Detroit Bill;1****45

Who knows! I am not up for an older car 10-15 years old is too much for me.

Many of us have cars 10-15 years old and much older. They just require proper care and feeding!

[Detroit Bill]

Yes there is nothing wrong with it but I'd like something newer.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Detroit Bill;1****75

Yes there is nothing wrong with it but I'd like something newer.

My car is "younger" today than it was when it was being assembled almost ten years ago. If I could wave a magic wand and put it back exactly the way it was the day it rolled off the truck, I wouldn't do it. And the only difference between the ERA cars made today, and the post #731 cars, is the mounting points for the Flaming River steering rack (which is really just a Mustang II rack with shortened rods on the end). I would not trade my ERA 732 for an identically equipped, brand new, ERA car today because, in my view, the best I could do would be to "break even."

[Tim7139]

Originally Posted by patrickt;1****38

... like a certain shade of beige.

Not my fav, but if everything else worked out, I'd have zero problem pulling the trigger.

[Tim7139]

Originally Posted by Detroit Bill;1****75

Yes there is nothing wrong with it but I'd like something newer.

Depends. Don't get caught up in the "new" thing out of hand.
Mine was 6 years old but was a southern car. I've spent more time under it and in the engine bay than in the seat......I'm anal, wanted to go over everything, also wanted to see how everything is built. Except for the usual few paint chips, it presents damn close to new when acquired, now undercarriage fairly well detailed.
Gotta get another 4 post lift. Got used to having one until a few years back.

[Detroit Bill]

Originally Posted by Tim7139;1****99

Depends. Don't get caught up in the "new" thing out of hand.
Mine was 6 years old but was a southern car. I've spent more time under it and in the engine bay than in the seat......I'm anal, wanted to go over everything, also wanted to see how everything is built. Except for the usual few paint chips, it presents damn close to new when acquired, now undercarriage fairly well detailed.
Gotta get another 4 post lift. Got used to having one until a few years back.

6 yeas is not old 10-15 is old.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by Detroit Bill;1****45

And two roll bars. I know 2 roll bars does not look that good but I want shoulder straps for the passenger and to make it "safe". You need a roll bar.

I'm glad that you put "safe" in quotes, because if you truly wanted your passengers and yourself to be "safe" or "safer", then a new or newer car, say like a 2014 "pick nearly any manufacturer and model and insert here" would be much safer than a Cobra. IMO, the passenger side roll bar or full width roll bar may (or may not) help in a roll over accident. However, as you we all know, most car accidents are front, side or rear impact and the roll bars may actually prove to be your demise when the head whiplashes into the roll bar.

If you truly want to make your Cobra safer, then I'd highly recommend a new or newer car.

[Detroit Bill]

Ultimately look at it like a motorcycle, maybe a little more dangerous!

[Large Arbor]

I am still partial to the Indigo Blue with the White stripe as shown here.

[Large Arbor]

I mean here...

[Bernica]

Originally Posted by Large Arbor

I mean here...

Well, I guess you might know my opinion!

[Large Arbor]

And here's...