Think I was raced today -- without realizing it :)!

[TrevorS]

I was just heading casually (pretty typical for me) over to Sears to exchange a broken Craftsman tool I just bought today (my luck is clearly on a roll) and I'm pretty certain I got raced coming out of one of the red lights :)!

There was a smallish 2-door car on my left, of a somewhat sporty flavor (I guess) and we were at the front of the lanes. When the light turned green, I had to lean forward to make sure no traffic was coming from his side (he didn't move.) It was clear and I proceeded forward at my usual easy-going pace, and then noticed him charge by and continue accelerating to WELL above the 25mph limit. When he was several car lengths ahead of me, he did a quick blow of the horn, at which point I realized he had just won a race I didn't even know I was in! Naturally, I saluted back with a quick double toot of the horn :)! That little encounter still has me chuckling :)!

[burstaneurysm]

Yup... get used to it. People really like thinking that they're hot.

[TrevorS]

When I get a more audible exhaust, I suppose it may happen more often (the Tsudo dual is supposed to ship next week.)

I'm still waiting to see a photo of your box with a wing :)! When was that show you were targeting?

[burstaneurysm]

http://www.scionbuzz.com/forums/showthread.php?t=610

[TrevorS]

Thanks -- I added my comment to the thread :)!

[Greg]

Every time I pull up to a stoplight in my Cobra, someone always wants to race it! No street racing for me! But, I've been beaten by everything imaginable!:D

Greg

[TrevorS]

I'm expecting my Eclipse GSX may be noticed more when I get it back on the road (currently replacing a frozen turbo.) I just replaced the oem rims and the new ones make it look much more interesting :)! However, the Cobra is a heavy-metal classic -- no way that baby will just slide by :)!

[Greg]

Yes, very subtle!

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b302/gbranham/Picture020-1.jpg

[TrevorS]

Oh, my God! That is just plain gorgeous! Did you do the restoration? Magnificent!

[Greg]

Hee hee. Thanks. I built it and painted it in my garage. It's a Factory Five Racing Cobra Replica. It took about 18 months and 600 hours to build, do all bodywork, and paint. It was a series of firsts for me. Prior to this project, all I had done in terms of auto maintenance was brake pads and one water pump. By the time I was done with this project, I had run all brake lines, fuel lines, built the engine from the bare block, to all electrical wiring, everything. When the kit was delivered, it was literally a bare powdercoated frame, 40 or 45 aluminum panels for the interior, a body, and 20 big boxes.

It was a lot of fun, and for a car with 350HP and only weighing 2200 lbs with me in it, it flies! Car and Driver tested a Factory Five Cobra with my exact engine setup, and they achieved 0-60 in 3.4 seconds. It's pretty fast, to say the least.

If you are interested, check out my photobucket account. I have 10 or 12 folders, documenting the build.

http://s22.photobucket.com/albums/b302/gbranham/

Greg

[TrevorS]

I checked out the photobucket folder and after mostly revolving around the front stabilizer bar, it moved on to a Marine jet and a young man whom I presume is your son, and then off to other topics -- perhaps I erred in my access! In any case, it appears you put humongeous time and effort into re-creating this vehicle and I'm totally impressed :)! You even did the painting? I'll have to leave a photo of my just resuscitated Eclipse GSX (died December 26, 2007), but that clearly doesn't compare with your Cobra -- congrats -- it's beautiful :)!

(Unfortunately, my photo must await daylight and a wash. Parking under trees is definitely not supportive to having a vehicle look its best :(!)

[TrevorS]

Here's my GSX -- finished the turbo install last night and took it on a lengthy checkout run -- no issues :)!

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a33/TrevorSt/Eclipse.jpg

A far cry from that beauty of yours, but I like it :)!

[burstaneurysm]

Wow, that's a lot of wheel gap.

Glad the repairs went well.

[TrevorS]

Oh, yeah -- that's oem! I definitely notice a lean difference compared to my xB2 when going around a tight corner (xB2 being tighter), but I really wouldn't want to have a stiffer suspension -- I feel near everything on the road as it is :)!

Just replaced the mostly dead audio on this baby (both CD and cassette gave up the ghost) and am awaiting UPS delivery of a mating CD deck. Sure hope they show up soon :(!

[Greg]

Sweet restoration!

Yep, the photobucket account is a holding spot for tons of pics I post on forums. But, once you are into my account, I have it more or less segmented into categories with the albums down the left pane.

I did all the bodywork and paint, as a learning experience. I learned a lot, but the most valuable lesson I learned was that I'll never do it again in my garage! The mess was unbelieveable!

Greg

[TrevorS]

Sweet restoration!

Yep, the photobucket account is a holding spot for tons of pics I post on forums. But, once you are into my account, I have it more or less segmented into categories with the albums down the left pane.

I did all the bodywork and paint, as a learning experience. I learned a lot, but the most valuable lesson I learned was that I'll never do it again in my garage! The mess was unbelieveable!

Greg

Glad you like it :)!

You clearly had a major production building that bad boy from the ground up. Mine just spent five months in the driveway in various states of disrepair. Very happy to have it back online :)!


Just replaced the mostly dead audio on this baby (both CD and cassette gave up the ghost) and am awaiting UPS delivery of a mating CD deck. Sure hope they show up soon!

The cassette reciever and CD deck are installed and wiping the floor with my poor xB2 (used to be the other way around!) Perhaps I'll have to consider a head unit upgrade after all :)!

EDIT: Only problem is, I'd really hate to give up the steering wheel radio controls -- they're part of what makes the car "cool" :)!