Results 1 to 23 of 23
  1. #1
    Very Active Member BLUEKNIGHT911's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Central VERMONT
    Posts
    20,272
    Spyder Garage
    0

    Default Resurrecting my 65 Shelby Cobra roadster ..

    This is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay off topic but I'm excited about this .. The story - after I got into Spyders ( in 09 ) two years later I fogged the engine and put it up on blocks …. Sooooooooooooooo last week a Car guy drives into my yard, and starts talking about My Cobra, He's impressed with it annnnnnnnnnnnnnnnd My Daytona Coupe. …. after 1/2hr. He asks if they are for sale … my standard comment to that is - everything is for sale for a price..... He says HowMuch ??? … I won't give Him an Answer because it hasn't been driven in 8 yrs. … so I tell Him - I have to get it out and check it for drivability !! …. OK , He says call me … He gives me His card ….. turns out He owns Lamoille Valley Ford … So now I have to get it out …. I put a spare battery in, add some 93 octane ( no ethyl ) gas with StarTron added …. cross my fingers, look to heaven, and turn the key !!!!!! , well 20 seconds of cranking while pumping the peddle annnnnnnnnnnnd She starts .... the engine is a 5 litre HO Ford engine making only 220 HP and after about one minute of feathering the gas, She idles down and just starts to purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr …. well not really, it has a completion exhaust. which is almost straight pipes, so it's more like a Low Roar ….. I let it warm up, and back it out. …. Brakes are scrapping like all-get-out, but they are rusty ( un-like great Spyder Disc's )…. I decide to drive around my house on the lawn ( no wife ) in first gear and lightly apply the brakes ….. after 5 laps around, I stop and check the disc's, they don't look too bad, so I decide to take it out on the road for just a very short ride .. .... well I turn onto the pavement, get Her straightened out annnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnd it !! …. She has an 8.8 posi rear with a tall ratio, not a set-up for drag racing but hot damn, the tires start spinning hard and I'm pushed back into the seat. After 8 yrs. I completely forgot how fast this thing was ( only 200 lbs. ). When I built it I was on a very tight budget, so I kept the power rack, but didn't have a pump so it was 2 1/2 turns L to L …. very hard to steer …. I later bought a manual rack ( 4 1/2 turns L to L ) which will make the steering slower ( actually a good thing but lots easier ( I am now swapping the racks ) …. I also had the original radiator will had a very small leak ( I bought a new one and am now swapping them also ) …. One of the things that was a problem with it being a " roadster " was no convertible top … so this would limit my use …. Factory Five Racing now has an excellent rag top for it, but costs $3,000 .... so if I don't sell it, I've decided to make a removeable top from fiberglass, that will fold in half so it will fit in the very small trunk …. my car has twin roll bars that I'll be able to attach a 1/4in. thick piece of Lexan to, and then be able to attach the top to the windshield and the Lexan … I think this is very doable ….. wish me luck ……. Mike …...….. there are pics in post #5 below ...thanks Gene
    Last edited by BLUEKNIGHT911; 08-11-2019 at 04:41 AM. Reason: added pics

  2. #2
    Very Active Member ARtraveler's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Valley Springs, AR
    Posts
    41,274
    Spyder Garage
    8

    Default

    Way to go. Can't wait to hear more.

    Currently Owned: 2019 F3 Limited, 2020 F3 Limited: SOLD BOTH LIMITEDS in October of 2023.

    Previously : 2008 GS-SM5 (silver), 2009 RS-SE5 (red), 2010 RT-S Premier Editon #474 (black) 2011 RT A&C SE5 (magnesium) 2014 RTS-SE6 (yellow)

    MY FINAL TALLY: 7 Spyders, 15 years, 205,500 miles

    IT HAS BEEN A LONG, WONDERFUL, AND FUN RIDE.
    2020 F3L , Magma Red

  3. #3
    Customer Support LeftCoast's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Location
    San Francisco Bay area
    Posts
    1,601
    Spyder Garage
    1

    Default

    Well this is a pics or it didn’t happen thread if ever there was one!
    2015 Pearl White RTL
    Baja Ron Sway Bar
    Russell Day Long Seat
    Strobe Brake Light
    Mirror Mount Turn Signal Indicator

    2015 RTL , Yes Pearl White

  4. #4
    Very Active Member Chupaca's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    San Diego, CA.
    Posts
    31,097
    Spyder Garage
    1

    Default Good to hear...🤗

    Resized_20171023_163604_9013001002003.jpg Resized_20171023_163648_4408.jpg that should do the trick....don't have any with the roof and don't know when these were taken but I may have the Daytona somewhere too...But what of the 917..???
    Gene and Ilana De Laney
    Mt. Helix, California

    ​2012 RS sm5
    2012 RS sm5 , 998cc V-Twin 106hp DIY brake and park brake Classic Black

  5. #5
    Ozzie Ozzie Ozzie Peter Aawen's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Australia; Sth Aust, Adelaide Hills
    Posts
    9,515
    Spyder Garage
    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by BLUEKNIGHT911 View Post
    ..... snip.....
    ... I think this is very doable ….. wish me luck ……. Mike
    Good Luck!

    Sounds like a lot of fun, whichever way you go!
    2013 RT Ltd Pearl White

    Ryde More, Worry Less!

  6. #6
    Very Active Member BLUEKNIGHT911's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Central VERMONT
    Posts
    20,272
    Spyder Garage
    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Chupaca View Post
    Resized_20171023_163604_9013001002003.jpg Resized_20171023_163648_4408.jpg that should do the trick....don't have any with the roof and don't know when these were taken but I may have the Daytona somewhere too...But what of the 917..???
    Thanks Gene, I thought I had sent you pics but of course I couldn't remember … getting OLD ...suc*s … please keep looking for the Daytona pics if I sent the Cobra I sent the Daytona also ……………. Mike

  7. #7
    Very Active Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    4,649
    Spyder Garage
    0

    Default

    That's sharp..No top needed

  8. #8
    Very Active Member Arion's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Location
    San Antonio, TX & Moosehead Lake, ME
    Posts
    761
    Spyder Garage
    1

    Default

    A Daytona Coupe as well as a Cobra?!?! Jeez, my envy meter just went into the red zone and pegged.
    2012 2012 RT-L and 3015 RT-S , 2012 - red and 2015 black (way too black)

  9. #9
    Very Active Member BLUEKNIGHT911's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Central VERMONT
    Posts
    20,272
    Spyder Garage
    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by trikermutha View Post
    That's sharp..No top needed
    … If the interior didn't have full carpeting, I wouldn't mind the rain to much ..... I ride my RT in the rain, but it's a motorcycle and that comes with the territory. With a car you expect to stay dry All the time.... The Kit maker " FFR " does have an excellent canvass convertible top designed for the car, but at $ 3,000 +/-, that's a bit steep for me...…There is also an after-market Hard-top ( from APE ) in the $3500.00 +/- range, but it's something that you put on in your garage and leave it there until you return from a day of driving, and you need another person to help you get it on, or a hoist….. I'm pretty sure my design for a re-movable and storable ( in the trunk ) hard top, would be approx. $350.00 +/- range. … I got the idea from what Porsche & BMW have for their roadsters , it is plastic wind screen that attaches to optional roll bar/s … it is used to prevent or lessen the back-flow of air that comes over the windshield …. I have been a car that had one and it's pretty effective at accomplishing that purpose. … I have one mocked up that I will take some pics of, and post …… thanks …. Mike

  10. #10
    Very Active Member stmike 1800's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2018
    Location
    Ontario ,way up north
    Posts
    610
    Spyder Garage
    1

    Default

    WOW that is very nice,always dreamed of building one.
    2018 RTL , dark blue

  11. #11
    Thinks out loud Jeriatric's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    "The Skillet" AKA..... La Quinta, Ca
    Posts
    5,106
    Spyder Garage
    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by trikermutha View Post
    That's sharp..No top needed


    Identify what you have control over and find peace with what you don't.

  12. #12
    Thinks out loud Jeriatric's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    "The Skillet" AKA..... La Quinta, Ca
    Posts
    5,106
    Spyder Garage
    0

    Default

    Nice ride, Mike!

    Once owned a very rare(in the US at least) '61 Austin Healey 3000 with a factory hardtop. Had a hoist system for it and it worked great. Good luck, whatever you decide.
    Attached Images Attached Images


    Identify what you have control over and find peace with what you don't.

  13. #13
    Very Active Member BLUEKNIGHT911's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Central VERMONT
    Posts
    20,272
    Spyder Garage
    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Jeriatric View Post
    Nice ride, Mike!

    Once owned a very rare(in the US at least) '61 Austin Healey 3000 with a factory hardtop. Had a hoist system for it and it worked great. Good luck, whatever you decide.
    Those were the days, I remember them well …. pretty decent power compared to the Triumph ….. however when Jag came out with the XKE even Ferrari got jealous ……….. My very first - bought with my own money car - was a 63 roadster …. lt. metallic blue, with dk. blue ( real ) leather seats and canvass top …… the previous owner had installed the triple Weber carb set-up - which upped the HP to almost 300 ...wish I still had it ….. Mike

  14. #14
    Thinks out loud Jeriatric's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    "The Skillet" AKA..... La Quinta, Ca
    Posts
    5,106
    Spyder Garage
    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by BLUEKNIGHT911 View Post
    Those were the days, I remember them well …. pretty decent power compared to the Triumph ….. however when Jag came out with the XKE even Ferrari got jealous ……….. My very first - bought with my own money car - was a 63 roadster …. lt. metallic blue, with dk. blue ( real ) leather seats and canvass top …… the previous owner had installed the triple Weber carb set-up - which upped the HP to almost 300 ...wish I still had it ….. Mike
    I'm reminded of Jim Croce's - "Photographs and Memories"

    Collect all you can my friend!


    Identify what you have control over and find peace with what you don't.

  15. #15
    SpyderLovers Sponsor cptjam's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Las Vegas, NV
    Posts
    3,850
    Spyder Garage
    0

    Default

    Factory Five Racing? Sweet kit. I’m liking the new pickup kit, too! What year did you build it? I remember the ads: $9995 and a donor 5.0 mustang, and you get this!!
    Joe Meyer



    Dealer for the Outlaw/ROLO laser Alignment system

  16. #16
    Very Active Member jcthorne's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2013
    Location
    Houston
    Posts
    5,545
    Spyder Garage
    1

    Default

    Very cool. I had the pleasure of driving a small block AC Cobra for a few laps at speed on Hallet Motor Racing Circuit a few years back. Lot of fun to drive even if I did not fit in it well.

    Blue Flame Spyder F3-S
    2015 F3S , Blue Flame

  17. #17
    Very Active Member blacklightning's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Location
    Apex, N.C.
    Posts
    3,231
    Spyder Garage
    1

    Default

    That is very nice! I would love to have one of those to toy around on. In fact, I would send the spyder out to pastor for one of those right now. I can only imagine the fun that can be, even with the stock 302, at 225 hp. I would love to have one with a stroked 331 engine in it.
    I see you stated that it had the 302, did you keep it fuel injected (assuming it is an 86 and up roller engine), or go with a carb? Being a ford guy, I am very interested. I just picked up me a mustang vert this past week.
    2021 RTL , brake pedal from "Web Boards" chalk white

  18. #18
    Very Active Member BLUEKNIGHT911's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Central VERMONT
    Posts
    20,272
    Spyder Garage
    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by blacklightning View Post
    That is very nice! I would love to have one of those to toy around on. In fact, I would send the spyder out to pastor for one of those right now. I can only imagine the fun that can be, even with the stock 302, at 225 hp. I would love to have one with a stroked 331 engine in it.
    I see you stated that it had the 302, did you keep it fuel injected (assuming it is an 86 and up roller engine), or go with a carb? Being a ford guy, I am very interested. I just picked up me a mustang vert this past week.
    Yes even the lower HP is quite potent.... mine ( from a 93 Mustang ) has the OEM Fuel Inj. If I was to go with a 331 the better option would be a 347 ……. The newest version that FFR is promoting is the all alum. " coyote " eng. w/ all alumin. trans … 400+ HP from a stock 5 lit. WOW …. that combo saves about 150-175 lbs …… very nice in a 2000lb car ……. I also have ( still in the box ) a " new style " F.A.S.T. " fuel inj. system that looks like a carb set-up...… this company was the first to have this ….. now Holley, Fitech, Edelbrock, Edelbrock. even Summit racing makes them ……. Mike

  19. #19
    Very Active Member BLUEKNIGHT911's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Central VERMONT
    Posts
    20,272
    Spyder Garage
    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by jcthorne View Post
    Very cool. I had the pleasure of driving a small block AC Cobra for a few laps at speed on Hallet Motor Racing Circuit a few years back. Lot of fun to drive even if I did not fit in it well.
    When you come to Vermont you can test drive mine ...Back when I was a teenager, one of my friends Uncles, had a 289 powered ORIGINAL Cobra ….. didn't get to drive it but was given a ride and this got me interested in them …… see you on the 27th +/- …… Mike

  20. #20
    Very Active Member BLUEKNIGHT911's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Central VERMONT
    Posts
    20,272
    Spyder Garage
    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by cptjam View Post
    Factory Five Racing? Sweet kit. I’m liking the new pickup kit, too! What year did you build it? I remember the ads: $9995 and a donor 5.0 mustang, and you get this!!
    1998-9 ……. Mike

  21. #21
    Active Member Joerolwing's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2016
    Location
    Nashville, TN
    Posts
    136
    Spyder Garage
    0

    Default

    You might try using a frame with window screen rather than plexiglass.

  22. #22
    Very Active Member BLUEKNIGHT911's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Central VERMONT
    Posts
    20,272
    Spyder Garage
    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Joerolwing View Post
    You might try using a frame with window screen rather than plexiglass.
    I gave that some consideration ……. the problem is finding a Frame that matches the body contour ….. I could make one from 3/4 plywood , but a " window screen ", I want this to be waterproof and sturdy enough to handle highway ( + ) speeds …… Mike

  23. #23
    Very Active Member blacklightning's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Location
    Apex, N.C.
    Posts
    3,231
    Spyder Garage
    1

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by BLUEKNIGHT911 View Post
    Yes even the lower HP is quite potent.... mine ( from a 93 Mustang ) has the OEM Fuel Inj. If I was to go with a 331 the better option would be a 347 ……. The newest version that FFR is promoting is the all alum. " coyote " eng. w/ all alumin. trans … 400+ HP from a stock 5 lit. WOW …. that combo saves about 150-175 lbs …… very nice in a 2000lb car ……. I also have ( still in the box ) a " new style " F.A.S.T. " fuel inj. system that looks like a carb set-up...… this company was the first to have this ….. now Holley, Fitech, Edelbrock, Edelbrock. even Summit racing makes them ……. Mike
    Yep, you are correct, with the lighter weight, even a stock 225 hp roller engine from a fox body will be great. I only mentioned a 331 over a 347 due to some of the 347 kits using oil in the early days. I am sure they have gotten better, but I have been out of the game for a while.
    And yes, the new 302 coyote engines are quite potent. I just got back into those last week. I plan on this one being a keeper (just like my lightning). Mods seem to be more expensive. In order to add a cold air kit and exhaust, you are needing a tune, and that puts you at the $2k mark. I am going to just wait a couple of years and then go with a blower and get that 700+ rwhp mark.
    Attached Images Attached Images
    2021 RTL , brake pedal from "Web Boards" chalk white

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •