My Snake Arrived!

M & M · #1 (**permalink**) 10-20-2002, 07:52 AM

It was 9:45 pm last night when the big trailer finally pulled into town. Prominently display on it's side was the big logo for John's Custom Fabrication. The door ramp comes down and the engine cranks, the rumble of the mighty 427 side-oiler breaks the nights silence. Out backs the beautiful blue snake with John Paulus at the wheel, big grin gleams from his face. A much bigger one from me, and larger yet, was my son's smile!

My son immediately jumps into the passenger seat and off they go, into the dark they fly! As I stand awaiting my turn behind the wheel, I can still hear the mighty exhaust roar of the Big Block, at least three blocks up the highway by now!

Now they return and it's my turn. My virginity is about to be broken. I eagerly strap in and hit the key. I drive off into the dark of the night and can only think of one word! INSANE!

I have driven latterly hundreds of cars on the street, been to the Bondurant school, but this was the most unbelievable experience I have ever had. I can not imagine what it would be like on the track!

Well when I finally got home it was close to 11:30 last night. Of course I had to give my daughter a ride. Now my wife who had been at an evening party just arrives and needs to go for a ride too! I am sure the neighbors were wondering "what the hell was going on out there!"

I think the Cobra gods were with me. It was a balmy 58 degrees here in Portland, in mid-October it is usually clear, but cold. I could have driven all night/morning but I finally put the snake to rest at 1 am. I am sure the neighbors were thankful!

As it turns out I should have stayed out all hours. Did not sleep well at all.......... way too much excitement and I awake to a slight rain drizzle.

Now with a slight calm in my body I can say that the car was everything I was expecting and more. The quality, finish and attention to detail was all that I expected from John.

Pictures soon to follow. In all the excitement I left my digital camera at work.

Now I am hoping to catch up with a few of you Northwest "charmers" and do the snake dance.

Mike

bmalone · #2 (**permalink**) 10-20-2002, 08:11 AM

Congratulations! Enjoy.

bonyhadi · #3 (**permalink**) 10-20-2002, 08:19 AM

congrats, please update your gallery!

Bill Wells · #4 (**permalink**) 10-20-2002, 08:24 AM

M&M...its ABOUT TIME >>>>>> CONGRATS>>>now where are the PICTURES ??? time to update your photo gallery sir and post some here too !!! enjoy the long awaited for ride !!! bill.

walt347 · #5 (**permalink**) 10-20-2002, 08:34 AM

M&M enjoy your Cobra. Good to hear that your neighbours like the roaring sound ... or at least they do not complain. Looking forward to seeing the pictures.

kountzecobra · #6 (**permalink**) 10-20-2002, 09:19 AM

Congrats! I remember the feeling well! Drive happily.

JoeLafives · #7 (**permalink**) 10-20-2002, 09:34 AM

Codos!!

Turk · #8 (**permalink**) 10-20-2002, 09:35 AM

Mike,
Yours is one of thousands of stories that all sound alike. We all know how that must have felt. You are luckier than most, yours was ready to jump in and drive. "DRIVE at FIRST SIGHT!"
Some of us had to wait another 5 months or so from that first contact to ...We have ignition!!

It is OK if you don't respond to this email anytime soon. I am sure you won't see it until late tonight. I wonder how far away you are right now from home.

No license, no registration yet, right?
Yeah..Me too!

Enjoy it in good health.

TURK

Red Era · #9 (**permalink**) 10-20-2002, 02:49 PM

Mike

I would love to see it . I enjoyed meeting you and your son a few weeks ago. I know that sleepless feeling. It's great. We have been having great weather and sounds like some more good cobra weather next week. Amazing for the NW. I took mine for a drive down the Gorge and around Mt. Hood last Monday(Columbus day). It was beautiful.

Congatulations

Tim - Red Era

M & M · #10 (**permalink**) 10-20-2002, 04:11 PM

Thanks guys!

Gotta say the extended footbox John has designed is Great! My 6'4" frame fits well and the car is very comfortable to drive. I am also amazed at how smooth she runs. Having never driven one before I expected it to be more "cobby."

Turk,

Can't get too far away with the crappy weather today! Made it out for a short run and got nailed with a few drops of rain. Nothing to wet the roads thank god. License and registration...... that's what they make a dealer plate for!

Red,

It too was a pleasure to meet you and your daughter. Your Cobra is outstanding! Give me a yell next time your heading out for a run.

New pic's in the gallery.

Regards,
Mike

M & M · #11 (**permalink**) 10-20-2002, 04:24 PM

Was going to attach this to the first post but could not add a picture under the edit function?

10/19/02 9:45 pm

Red Era · #12 (**permalink**) 10-20-2002, 04:28 PM

Looks GOOD!!!

Bill Wells · #13 (**permalink**) 10-20-2002, 05:19 PM

very nice indeedy mikey. as they say "good things happen to those that wait", and sometimes its true !!! now, put studded tires on it and get the chains in the trunk and you will be ready for those freak pac nw ice/snow storms and getting thru the mountain passes. you did get a top didn't you ? bill

Carroll DeWeese · #14 (**permalink**) 10-20-2002, 05:31 PM

Beautiful car. Enjoy it well. You are living a fream. Congrads.

Keith Vincent · #15 (**permalink**) 10-21-2002, 06:52 PM

Now you know why I had such a big grin when I saw you on the highway last summer. Congrats on the car. I was due in Portland two hours ago, however, put the trip off for a week. I call you and try to see the car next week if it works in your schedule.

Course the green hair to match my car may have had something to due with the grin as well.
P.S. I can get a blue that will match your car color for your hair for you.

See ya next week,
Keith

M & M · #16 (**permalink**) 10-21-2002, 08:02 PM

Keith,

Sounds like a winner. Give me call anytime, I assume you still have my work number. Always ready to show off the new ride, I am around.

Mike

Jerry2 · #17 (**permalink**) 10-22-2002, 07:38 PM

M & M:

Congratulations!! We have been following the construction process of your car @ JCF this past summer. We saw it last three weeks ago, while it was in the paint booth.

You are one lucky guy. Beautiful car!

Looking forward to seeing you this next spring.

Jerry2

M & M · #18 (**permalink**) 10-22-2002, 08:17 PM

Jerry,

Thanks, you will have to see the finished product. Would love to see your car too. Did not realize that there was a JCF in Salem! Anytime you are headed this direction, any day of the week, just give me a yell.

Regards,
Mike

Keith Vincent · #19 (**permalink**) 10-25-2002, 12:26 PM

Mike I screwed up when I saved your number. Please email me with it.
Keith
Kdvincent@aol.com

Dana E · #20 (**permalink**) 10-26-2002, 10:44 AM

Congrats! The Cobra looks great. Hopefully we'll still have some decent Cobra weather before the monsoons hit. Enjoy!

Was that you on TV hwy last week, around 170th ??

Dana