For those who have known me here a long time, it's been quite a journey. You all met me as I was suffering through my divorce, and Chepie was taking on it's identity as the 5.0/AOD recipient in an article for MUSTANG ILLUSTRATED MAgazine. From there, the fun & car development just happily snowballed along, the car kept improving, we founded the "Gutter", and i've happily still am writing for a few magazines. Chepie was introduced to all of you looking somewhat like this, hurting 302 V8, and many things to do on it.... This was back in 2001... <img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v431/Chepsk8/Chepsk8atkensfront.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com"> Over the next few years, I did Rack & pinion Steering, a new top & Interior, and countless improvements to the car to get it in really nice shape, a great driver, and neat car. The next big project was going to be bodywork, but an offer came up that was what I needed to persue a dream, so off Chepie went to Minnesota...
Next, I took two trips to Factory Five Racing up in Cape Cod, met both BBFCM & Pakrat, plunked down all the spare money I had, and came home with a Mark II FFR Cobra Replica kit. Duning the time my garage was empty, this poor rusty 1988 Mustang GT surrendered all it's vitals to the project, and many more parts to whoever wanted them. The parts I kept were cleaned up, refurbished, modified, and stored for thier time to be used. After 14 months of work......
Cobrask8!!!! Here it is as of Monday night, June 27. Basically street ready, though I have lots of winter projects, including carpet, more detailing, heat, and other things. Finally put the seats in, and got a chance to really hammer it. Damn!!!! Wicked fast! Kicks the SCJ's butt! anyway, without any more prologue......... Cobrask8!!!!!
More detail Pics... For those with Sharp eyes, I've kept the "CHEPSK8" plates alive, and will transfer them onto the Cobra! Lot's more to do, but it's basically a runner! Just in time for my birthday next week! Wooooooooooooooooooo Hooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!
awesome Dan, that looks like it will be a wicked fun project. hopefuly my samell contribution will work well when winter gets here. so how long til the indain fire and silver gurny stripes?
Lookin great Dan! I can't wait to see it in Indian Fire with stripes! I don't mean to pry, but if you used some round numbers, about what would you say it cost to build that badboy?
GBM - In a way, It's the first time since I was 16 (now 45) that I have not owned at least one Mustang, and it does indeed give me some regret. Even though the Cobra is still a member of the Ford family, and uses many FOX Mustang parts, it does have it's own Culture & support. Yes, I do miss Chepie, but I had to sell her when the offer came in to make this dream come true. I've very much appreciated that ylou guys still accept me even though I'm now a Cobra Guy. Blake, It will be a while, but that will be the paint. I have to put the numbers together this week, but what you see represents roughly $23-25K. You all know me, the master of scrounging! Thanks to STANGNET, it came together. I hit the 5.0 forums alot with questions.
Congrats, Dan! To say nothing of Hey, you forgot one thing.... the heart beating under Cobrask8's hood is still that of a Mustang! BTW, I'm curious; was your donor car by any chance the "patient" in your Hemming's article on clutch rebuilds? At first I wasn't sure why your pics had the motor/tranny out of the Stang; then I went back and read "...88 Mustang LX..." and went "Hmmmmm" She looks good; and I'm pretty sure she won't be the only Ford muscle in your garage for very long! In fact, I think I'll jump to another thread with Cobrask8 pics in it to "put a bug in somebody's ear"!
SD, That 88 was more than just the clutch article! 5-Lug convesion, two brakes articles, plus the clutch! Not bad for a car who got stripped, raped, & pillaged! R-code, Already signed up for two days at Watkins Glen in August, and the FFR Nationals at VIR Labor day!
I didn't see the 5-lug or the brakes; only the clutch. Gotta admit that I had downloaded that issue from Hemmings' website; but I'm gonna end up subscribing because there is some good reference stuff in there (your clutch article plus mucho more). Once Cobraskate is painted, I really think you ought to do another "budget restomod" series; this time for Hemmings. I've come up with the recipient, and she even lives right there in PA!
**sniff**sniff** such a bee-yoo-tee-ful baby! I feel like an uncle all over again! Next round of DOT3 is on me!
