Long Island Cobras

[Brent Mills]

Ok, you guys asked for it!

Good luck on the formation of your organization. Enjoy!

[JCoop]

The time is here. It is amazing to find out that over a hundred Cobras of all makes, originals and reproductions ply the highways of Long Island, New York. Understandably so, Long Island has always been a hotbed of automobile enthusiasts, with a heritage that boasts of the famous Bridgehampton racetrack era, where Cobras wreaked havoc when it was still in operation, Westhampton drag strip, and the Riverhead oval; Even the site of the historic Vanderbilt Cup Races that started in 1905. Now, there are at least two organizations currently lobbying to construct and operate modern motorsport parks in Suffolk County; a state of the art Nascar-capable oval with a road course tweaked in, and F1 Boston is trying to get approval for an indoor/outdoor karting facility. This, plus beautiful back roads and interesting destinations, and at least a car show or two or three a week during the season is surely enough to fan the car-crazy flame.

I'm hoping our club will be light and easy, a good venue and resource for learning more about our cars, the people that build, maintain, and drive them, and an opportunity to enhance the fun and enjoyment we get out of this fantastic hobby. Perhaps we can start by sounding off then agreeing (possible? ) on an "event" that can be our first general meeting to create/update a database and outline a course of action.

Thanks Club Cobra!

[Bob In Ct]

Hey Long Island guys (or is it guy's on the island?):

Good to see you have your own site, I wish I could get the guys here in Connecticut to get as active as you guys are. Some of the best rides I've ever gone on were with the Long Island group. My wife still talks about the run from Port Jeff to Snakepit a few years ago. 16 Cobras zooming down the south shore at 55 MPH (maybe a little more), it was terrific.

When can we do it again? I'll try to get a few Connecticut owners to take the ferry with me. Hi to Nick and the Saturday morning crew.

Bob

[JCoop]

Hi Bob,

C'mon down! Hey we can return the favor, take the ferry over and we can drive to the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, take in a show, dinner and stay the night at the Inn. Wow, that would be a nice one.

Ray

Originally Posted by Bob In Ct

Hey Long Island guys (or is it guy's on the island?):

Good to see you have your own site, I wish I could get the guys here in Connecticut to get as active as you guys are. Some of the best rides I've ever gone on were with the Long Island group. My wife still talks about the run from Port Jeff to Snakepit a few years ago. 16 Cobras zooming down the south shore at 55 MPH (maybe a little more), it was terrific.

When can we do it again? I'll try to get a few Connecticut owners to take the ferry with me. Hi to Nick and the Saturday morning crew.

Bob

[Slojo]

Cool. Here is my question. Who is taking up all of Nick's time? I think I need a new fuel pump and don't want to be driving anywhere (other than his shop) until I get this looked at. First he said early March, now he is saying next week some time. All I know is I am dying, dying to get out there.

Ray, where are you, in the city or the Hamptons, or do you have two places?

Also, anyone know of a trusted towing guy for my car (just in case something happens getting my car to Nicks)? I really don't want to 'trust' any ole' guy if you know what I mean?

Thanks
Joe S. - Lake Grove, NY (yes a newbie)

[cobred]

Joe, talk to Timmy at us1 auto repair. He is an excellent mechanic and has extensive knowlege of muscle cars, hot rods and cobras. His shop is on route 25 in Centereach a 1/2 mile east of Ford. I think he is closed on Saturdays though. Its getting too nice out to wait for Nick to work on the car.

[JCoop]

Joe,

I "live" in Glenwood Landing (Sea Cliff/Glen Cove area), but prefer to be at my garage in Southampton but the kids always have something on the weekends with school, band, etc. nowadays so...

Fuel pump should be a relatively easy repair/replacement, but could be messy. Any shop should be able to do it if you positively know that's what it is. Just don't listen to "other" diagnosis.
My good friend and fellow Cobra enthusiast Joe Manning has a shop here in Sea Cliff (specializes in vintage cars) and can help too.

[Slojo]

Thanks guys. Nick said this coming week, so I should be OK. I like to use Nick b/c he is fairly close to where I work which is in Melville and I have a buddy that I work with in the same building that can follow me to Nick's shop, and drop me back off again.

Cobred, Do you know John, who also lives in Centereach and has a green ERA with a 427 BB? He literally lives 2 blocks over from me. I may get a chance to warm my car up this weekend, where exactly are you? I am south of Rt 25 on Morris Ave, which is just east of Hawkins and due south of where Centereach Rentals used to be on 25. Maybe I'll cruise by if you are close enough and the Mrs. loosens the reigns on me a bit (haha).

Later
Joe Sakal - Lake Grove

[JCoop]

I had a lively discussion this afternoon with another Cobra Enthusiast who is dying to get a formalized club going. Some of the things we discussed comes to light here, as Slojo already brings up 2 good points that we, as a club with strength in numbers, can address as "definite possibilities".
1. Discounts and preferrential scheduling at participating repair shops.
2. Discounts for parts and consumables (lubes) at participating stores.
3. Free towing from anywhere in Long Island to the shop of your choice:
Snakepit, HRE, or Classic Concepts can subsidize part of it or fund through
club dues. (Roadside Assistance for Cobras!)
4. Regular Tech sessions on owner-maintenance and/or DIY repairs.
5. Regular cruises/road tours in the relative safety of a group ride.
6. Participation as a group in car shows or car-related events or socials.
7. Track days at Pocono or Lime Rock (being investigated)
8. Recognition and consequent dialogue with gov't agencies or law enforcement regarding issues that affect our hobby (registration, noise, emissions, etc.)

What do you guys think?

[Slojo]

Sounds good. One other item I can think of is maybe a club trailer. I do not own one, but would be willing to put some dollars towards one. I know a cannot park one a my house either so a place to house one would obviously be a plus for me. Just my thoughts.

Thanks
Joe S.-Lake Grove

[cobred]

I am friends with John. To my house take 25 east, make a left on n. Howell (across from Mc Donalds). Make a left on Winmar Way, I am #5. I will be in and out all day tommorrow. Ed

[vmercu]

slojo The best guy on LI I think who knows how to tow Cobras is

Lombardos Towing 516 489-2909 Done mine a few times and freq. makes trips to HRE.

[JCoop]

I was at Classic Concepts yesterday and hung out with the guys...

I didn't get a chance to talk up the club idea but paid my $10 coffee and bagels dues f0r April It's a bit tough to get that credibility and respect being the "new guy" but I sense a good response forthcoming. I had a good chat with Nick. He's really a great guy and recognizes the benefits of having an organized club in general and the opportunities for his business in particular. In mentioning the towing and trailer issues, he's all for it of course and even offered fenced parking for the trailer!

So I think the next logical step is really to call for a general meeting to raise these issues and get the roster and ball rolling

[mrud]

Ray,
Mike R., I spoke with you on Sat. at Nick's. I belong to a Yacht club and you can do quite a lot with members who pay dues. Even if they do not attend all functions. With a club paying dues, you can get:
Monthly newsletter with photos and up coming events.
Discounts on repairs
Discounts on towing.
Guest speakers at least once a month.
You can lock on guaranteed track time at different tracks.
Etc, etc,
I am in. Although I cannot attend every event or on all weekends, I think that Long Island has enough car enthusiasts to make this work. I think we have a great opportunity at Nicks especailly for a meeting place. Count me in.
Regards,
Mike

[Nickpz1]

Hi guys,
Thanks to JAM leaving a notice on FFCobra I was happy to find an active group(s) of Cobra owners on Long Island. I have been building a FFR Cobra for almost 2 years and have it ready for body & paint.
I was surprised to find that the local hangout is Nick's Classic Concepts which is just north of S&K Speed were I have spent a penny or two for parts & engine work. Living in West Islip the Captree Sunday run sounds like a must as soon as I get the car legal. What events are scheduled for 06 so I can plan ahead and meet other owners.
All the best,
NickPz1

[JAM1775]

Good question Nick. Years ago I did a bunch of runs. The past few Tony A. has been taking the helm with both some old and some really good new ideas. Bobby B. has the Oct NYC run which is a great cap to end a season. This year I am sure things will develop as the season takes shape. There's a bunch of guys on FFC and they have jumped aboard when we go.

Ray...first let me apologize for straying off topic....sometimes I just hear voices.....................
Here's what the guys have done in the past. If you have any new ideas or want to plan a run all you need to do is post it here or at the shop and you're off! If you search this forum under "LICR" you may find past year's threads of prior LI Cobra Runs. Sometimes we'd meet at the shop and other times we'd meet on a Sunday or if more convenient at a central location. We have had very successful runs where only 6-7 cars show up and we have had many 12-15-18-22 long Cobra Snake Lines rumbling along the highway!

For a few years we did re-runs such as a spring season "Leg Stretcher" along Ocean Pkwy, quick jaunt up the Sag to Sunken Meadow Park. Usually this was short due to temps.
The "Port Jeff Window Rumble" happens 1-2 times per year as we roll through the south shore towns of Sayville/Islip on Montauk Hwy turning north on Rte 83 with Port Jeff town center as our destintation. There we'd pop the hoods stay a couple of hours (crowds gather!) and shoot off from there depending on personal schedules.
"Rolling Thunder Winery Run " usually involves a sentimental trip on Sunrise east to our old sentimental W.Hampton Racetrack exit , truning north on Rte 105 straight up to Rte 25-A to Briamere Farms . There we'd grab refreshments hang for a bit then shoot off according to personal schedules.
Lime Rock is a staple when there is an event and there too is the diner stop enroute.
Last year Tony did Greenport twice , two different routes ending with lunch in town on the water.
Sayville has their 2-3 town shows, West Sayville VFD, Sayville Ford etc always draws out the Cobras as well as the Town Fair . Eddie has the helm on the annual north shore Nassau County "Cruiser event" which is top shelf.

These runs are always weather effected. Ones that seemed to be cursed by weather year after year were "Lobster Roll Run" which is similar to the winery route only culminating in a lobster sandwich lunch at Lobster Roll restaurant on north fork east Rte 25-A. The "Hamptons Run" assembling in town center always seemed to invite the clouds as did past plans for a "Montauk Run" for center town asembly. Both these areas can make for heavy traffic problems. The "Riverhead Run" with assembly on the dock behind Main St. got weather cursed a few years in a row.
The big cap and best run is always Bobby B's "Rumble Through The Tunnel" trip to Columbus Circle on an October morning. 5AM...now that's an eye opener ! Awesome.
Ones that never made it past the "poster stage" due to lack of interest were the "Bear Mnt Run" meeting with the Upstate Cobra Club. Valley Forge National Park hosted a huge annual event which is a 3hr haul.
We've hooked up with the Ct. guys a few times. There are numerous weeknight scheduled town Car Meets where most guys gather regularly..... Bald Hill/Oyster Bay/Bellmore RR/ Wading River/ Commack Kohl's/Captree and more..............these St.James/Flowerfield and others are also listed in Special Interest newspaper or on www.specialinterest.com.
So that's it boys.....I'm retiring from this thread because my fingers are dead. Brain was shot years ago.
Ray...you seem to have some good ideas . Thanks again for this sub-forum which sure makes a good place to toss around future run suggestions !!

[Nickpz1]

Jim,
Thanks for the great information! It seem that the group keeps busy. I went on www.specialinterest.com and found 19 events/shows in Nassau & Suffolk counties just in April & May. (If anyone would like I can eMail you the list)
Talking about list, is there a list of good/cobra friendly auto shops in the area? Interior, body & paint shops, ceramic coating, chroming, dyno-tune, alignment – I have done everything to this point myself but now I need some outside skills. Any help you can give would be appreciated. Thanks.
All the best,

[JAM1775]

There's Nick's Classic Concepts 631-643-4611, located SSP to Exit 36N (Straight Path) to 2nd light Left on Edison then quick right on Otis.
It's right there on the corner. Go there any sunny Saturday from 8-2pm you will find 10-20 Cobras outside and as many in the shop.

Interior ?? Ask Nick for Sal's number. Carpet guru but not cheap. He visits the shop and sometimes will go to your home.
Ceramic coating? The shiniest silver by far is Jet-Hot . see their web.
Not that it mattered with my headers they dulled after heat cycles anyway.
Otherwise many guys have used Airborne Coatings in New Haven Ct.
860-528-8281
Dyno tuning IMHO the best for quick tech help and leaving with the most HP is Mustang Magic 631-254-3430 located off SSP Exit 40N, Bayshore Rd, continue to Brook Ave make right, bear right at fork it's there. They built my motor way back when. But, many guys have left there very happy with dyno gains the past 3 years . If carbed you must have you own jets. Owner is Joe . Dyno guys are Steve and Joe.
401K should be on their dyno next week with his SC'd head ported 392 stroker....woo-hoo !

Paint for me and a few FFR's was done by Keith at K&M just behind Mustang Magic 631-243-1337. He's my guy. Others on FFC living on LI, like Lawman,TonyA and CobraRay have terrific paint done at other shops.
These guys are at Oakdale most summer Thursday nights.

These are just starting points . I'm sure you will settle in to places as time goes on and other guys chime in . Feel free to shoot me an e-mail I can give you my tel# if you feel like heading WAY east for a ride in an old MKI. I'm in Manorville. Special Interest is very popular. I'm lucky because they sell the paper at a Hess right down the road from me!
Pray for sun this weekend !!!!!
Jim Marotta

[JCoop]

Hi Jim,
No problem, my interest in formalizing the club has the same objectives as any cobra enthusiast anyway. Comraderie and just learning about these cars and its heritage. To start, I'd like to get the dates and a short synopsis of the runs you mentioned, plus the gent-in-charge and his/her contact info. I'd like to put together some sort of general schedule, make a PDF and attach or post it here where people can refer to it. Then we can talk it up a week or so before the event. Having a club is nothing but getting together and agreeing on a name so we can represent ourselves as a unified group. It's the only way we can get the discounts, recognition, and just be able to negotiate or represent the group in larger bodies or groups where there could be some benefit to us. We don't need dues right now, if there is a need for something that requires funding, then we can talk about it.

Anyway, thanks for sounding off, I'd like to go to the track thing but road racing is my interest and quite frankly, I'm still intimidated by my Cobra's power and haven't really floored it yet. Maybe I'll drive up to spectate

[JAM1775]

Ray...smart move...respect the power.
The LICR dates are not set. The person organizing what develops will vary. So too will the dates . The best I can say is as the season progresses things will emerge. Unless of course you decide to kick start a Cobra Run.