ZO6 - Creature comforts with speed... The Vettes were and are still fun to drive....

The swiftest!
 

The Mclaren F1 is only slightly swifter than the Ultima! Wow!

Good One, Hal.
 

I went through a similar process... If I were to replace my Harley, what would it be with. The sound, the open feeling, the power... and I wanted something I could share with my son, building, driving, enjoying, learning... The Harley was not the answer. My answer.. a Unique 289FIA.

I found it interesting how many references to BMWs as potential replacements. I ended up selling my 1995 M3 and my Harley to fund the dream of owning my Cobra...

...hard to think what would be next... :confused:

:)

Rodney I agree.
I have checked those out several times and I really like them.

They have some great test videos on the site now as well.




Scott:D :D

A Daytona Coupe--probably SPF--or if I ever hit the lottery a Lambo Diablo--


Hyde
I'm 6'1 and I fit in a "S" model (turbo)Mini just fine, I even have to slide the seat up a couple of notches--

Hal,
What a wonderful touching story. I can relate to your close bonding with your Son revolving around your Cobra. I have two Daughters and it is set in stone that when I am gone, each will get a Car.
My Oldest will get the 76 Vette that she and I spent many long hours restoring. I bought the Car just 6 months after she was born,( 7/16/76. She drove the Car her Junior and Senoir years in High School.
My Youngest Daughter was to get My 87 Vette. Last January she informed Me that she really didn't want it, as it was too big. I told her we could sell it now and get something else. I then mentioned that at recent Cruise Nights I saw a couple of Cobra Replicas. To My suprise she jumped into the conversation, stating she really liked them too. I was totally shocked that she even knew what I was talking about. It seems that the Lawyer that she nannied for over the summers had one in the 80's and was completely obsessed with them. Took deliver of our BDR in Sept. 02.
As far as My dream Car, I have them. To replace them? Nothing comes to mind. I love MY 99 Silverado too!
George

Hmmm...

new car: Mini Cooper S
used car: Pantera, XKE, or Lotus Europa
custom: Merc Lead Sled

1) Morgan Plus 8

2) Hal, I know you said they don't do anything for you , but a 911 Turbo (any year) has a lot going for it. Great looks IMO, unbeatable build quality, durability, very involving to drive, and outrageous performance -- Cobra-like with some mods.

Hal, you have made me expose my automobile mulitple personality disorder:

Hot Rod:...... I think I would like another type of "kit", maybe a '32 Ford or a '41 Willys with a blown hemi, or at least a tunnel ram.

Supercar:.... At the other extreme, a GT40...also, I like the looks of the new "Supercar" that resembles a McLaren that FFR is working on. Huge WOW factor.

Classic: ....for the traditional muscle car I have always liked the '70 SS 454 Chevelle or a '69-'70 Mach I 428 Cobra Jet with the shaker hood scoop. BTW, I have driven/ridden in both of these. Awesome rides.

John

Very timely thread....
 

Hal,

I happen to fall into one of the scenarios you mentioned. I, for one, might have to give up my Cobra for health reasons. But I'm fighting it tooth and nail. At this point, my denial (and pain meds) are strong enough to keep me going. I suppose someday reality will set in. Then, and ONLY then, will I give up the Cobra.


What will I replace it with ??? It will have to have an automatic tranny, and be VERY easy to get in and out of. How about a 1940 Ford street rod ???


Tom


P.S. For those who chose the Pantera and 67 Corvette.....very nice choices. I owned one of each....sweet rides !!!

Hal, I agree with Speedracer on the 911 Turbo. The early Turbos are almost Cobra-like; warp speed acceleration, too small brakes to haul up such a powerful vehicle, and definite eye appeal. That would be my first choice. Next would be a '69 Z-28, and lastly, a Shelby Hurst GTH350.

Cobra, Turbo, Z-28, or GTH350...my son will never drive any of them!

Rich

Well,,,,about one month after selling my FFR,,I ordered a GT40 from New Zealand.
I should be ready to ship by the end of the month!!!!

Other cars I considered at the time were:

The new cobra mustang-
pros: it comes with a warranty and has creature comforts w/lots of torque

cons: it is an overweight pig which means hard on tires/brakes, etc on a roadcourse,,,,,

also lots of customer complaints & quality issues


pantera

pros: exotic italian styling w/ford drivetrain

cons: awkward cockpit fit for 6 foot driver, high cost to make on a decent track performer, hard to find rust free 30yr old cars


countach replica actually this was my wife's choice....
pros: looks cool

cons: of the ones I saw,,you have a choice of 90 percent grabage and about 9 percent junk.
The only company that had an impressive countach ,,,was in New Zealand (Countess mouldings)


ultima

pros: killer looks & performance potential

cons: cost to finish properly


used 80's testarossa

pros: I just looooove the looks, have driven a few, and serviced a couple in my shop....
prices have finally come down to "reasonable" levels. (around 45-55k)

cons: price of parts, dependability, & fragility of italian build


new mini cooper S

pros: totally cool car,,,,a blast to drive, nice mods available,, affordable,,,and can be driven daily. Heck, loaded with all the factory perfromance toys, they are right at 25k,,,,what a deal!

cons: my Dad beat me to it and already has one, the exact same colors I would choose. (indigo blue w/checkered roof),,,,, so I can just "borrow" his once in a while.


67-70 fastback mustang

pros: great looks, dependable drivetrain, can be driven daily

cons: cost to complete a nice one as much as a cobra or other more "gaga" toy.
hard to find rust free, uncrashed chassis

Allan,

EXCELLENT post. Some real and potatoes there.

Ernie

Hal - I don't know exactally what it would be, but I have had some experiance with some of the listed cars above and I would rule them out. For me it's got to be a open car and the more tractable the engine the better.
Maybe a replica of a birdcage Maserati or a 550 Beck spyder, a Allard J2X, or if it's got to be a horse, a 250GTB spyder(oh yea).
But the one car that jumps out at me the most resoundidly(?) is a 1957 Jaguar XK-SS. Now that would be something!!!!!!!!
Could be built like a Cobra, sits on the same wheelbase, and is just simply a gorgeous car. It begs to be reproduced and boy would it be unique.
;) ;) ;)
cobrashock

Hal,
Are you out of your mind! It is a buyers market right now. Go buy a second car for a spare and quite worrying about loosing the great stroker!

You are alot of peoples hero for driving the beast as a daily driver. You know that you could never go back to anything less. If for health reasons you couldn't drive, your son, I am sure would pilot you anywhere on earth in the great stroker! I am sure he would drop what ever his is doing this very second to come be your driver. Only the cobra relationship with your son and others sons could possibly create this kind of father and son frienship.

Enjoy my friend!

Try This
 

Noble M12 GT
Spectacular, if a bit spartan.
http://www.noblecars.com/

Hal,
Buy HER a car! Keep the Cobra for YOURSELF.
Pleases hurry up, I'm running out of memory on this thread.
TL

Anyone interested in an Ultima trackcar drop me an email

-dan

Photos
 

Hey Dan, could you post some photos of the Ultima? Thanx. Rod

Great thread Hal.
I have actually thought of this since I started driving on the track. A 993 based Porsche (full race) would do it for me. I really don't like the new ones as much.

DC