Messages

106

ACOC News and Events / Silverstone Classic 27 - 30th July 2017

« on: March 19, 2017, 20:52:37 »

Thanks David, perfect.

107

ACOC News and Events / Silverstone Classic 27 - 30th July 2017

« on: March 19, 2017, 18:01:05 »

Can somebody tell me where the code in Action appear?  Have Dec/Jan and Feb issues to hand.

108

General Forum / Ease of adding images

« on: February 01, 2017, 13:29:45 »

I've posted many pix on the ACOC forum, but the problem is, that first you have to add them to a hosting site, like Flikr or Photobucket. This is a hassle even if you have an account. With another Cobra site, www.clubcobra.com and many others, you can upload direct from your PC with no hosting. I think ACOC should explore that as our Forum is quite a deserted place. Also an automatic email, when somebody replies to your post would make the Forum a more active place. I'd be happy for a one off few pounds on my annual membership to update the site with these two features. Would anyone else agree?

109

Cobra (Thames Ditton) Forum / Nightmare of 427 provenance

« on: January 18, 2017, 17:46:37 »

To me it's all about an intangible called provenance and whether we believe we should be able to rely on documented chassis numbers to prove that.
   
   Our car registration system is based on cars having individual, registration, engine chassis and chassis numbers. The first two you are generally legally free to change, but the chassis number you cannot. It's so people don't have to rely on hearsay and stories, to be sure a car is what it appears to be.
   
    As previously mentioned, if the US car was imported to the UK and somebody attempted to register it, the DVLA would cross reference the chassis numbers and be forced to make a decision, possibly via inspection, possibly via the ACOC. One of the cars might end up with a Q reg and that owner would understandably, be very unhappy. This action by the DVLA can be retrospective of they feel misrepresentation has occurred. I don't think I'd want to be the person buying or selling this car, no matter how fabulous it no doubt is.

110

Cobra (Thames Ditton) Forum / Nightmare of 427 provenance

« on: January 13, 2017, 22:06:06 »

Thanks for the info Robin. I have no axe to grind and I don't wish anybody any misfortune, but you and everyone else knows that the DVLA position on this would probably be that the car built up from the chassis remains of CSX 3272, should be placed on a Q registration. That is, a car of varying component age when initially constructed. I realise that doesn't suit everyone's purpose, but I don't think we can subdivide cars to make two examples from one and call them both vintage. Most I think would agree this sounds like a profit led practice. However that's only an opinion. It's an interesting situation and the argument about what constitutes which car can lay claim to the original title will run and run. To me, without doubt  it's the original car, the one the damaged chassis came from, even if everything was replaced.
    The car

111

Cobra (Thames Ditton) Forum / Nightmare of 427 provenance

« on: January 12, 2017, 23:00:57 »

Thanks Robin. Are you saying the  original 1966 car, the one that was originally damagedand and recipient of the replacrement Autokraft chassis (apparently in the US) and this car (seemingly in the UK) both now carry the chassis number CSX 3272?

112

Mk IV, Superblower, CRS and other Continuation Cars Forum / Need Mk IV Master Cylinder

« on: January 11, 2017, 17:10:33 »

These guys are the best place to start. Do you need the cylinder and not just a simple rebuild kit?
   
   www.powertrackbrakes.co.uk
   
   If no avail, and its the bore,
   you can always have the cylinder sleeved. In which case you need:
   
   Nigel Mountain
   Contract Auto Engineering Limited
   Unit 2
   Ward Road
   Sandy Lane Ind. Est.
   Stourport upon Severn
   Worcs
   DY13 9QB
   
   01299 828117

113

Mk IV, Superblower, CRS and other Continuation Cars Forum / AC Mk. IV on Hemmings

« on: January 06, 2017, 14:48:37 »

I kinda agree with AE 512. So many people are listing Mk IVs they don't own, for prices they don't need to achieve, there seems to be a great opportunity for the naïve or inheritance rich buyer. The prices can't be realistic if the same cars are on the market for over 18 months and don't sell at auction either.
   
    I bought a superb Mk IV, almost identical to the red one advertised, from a UK dealer, 2 years ago, in the price region AE mentions. So don't kid yourself your Mk IV you bought 10 years ago for £50k is worth 4 times that today. It isn't, or dealers would be offering you £100k to take it off your hands. But they ain't. The trade buy in price of a Mk IV is around £50k and that's the real life fact.
   
    But the good news is that the MK IV is a fab car to own, look at and be in. Especially true, if it has a decent hood and a power upgrade. It's one of the most beautiful cars ever and I have significant upgrade plans for mine. I love the story, the concept and can't imagine ever parting with it.
   
    I wish the market was more like real life and that people who really want a Mk IV have the opportunity to do so. I would also love users of this forum to post pictures and talk about where they've been and what they are doing with their Mk IV, instead of this (almost tragic) pre occupation with advertised values.
   
   Since buying we've done over 7000 miles in ours, 2000 through the Dolomites and several trips to France.
   
    There's more to being a Mk IV owner than discussing advertised prices. It's an insult to the car.

114

Mk IV, Superblower, CRS and other Continuation Cars Forum / Brass Spinners

« on: November 28, 2016, 13:33:44 »

Have you tried Hawk Cars?

115

Mk IV, Superblower, CRS and other Continuation Cars Forum / Car Lifting/Jacking

« on: November 28, 2016, 13:32:40 »

The other guys are spot on. An (ideally aluminium) trolley jack with a flat plate with a rubber insert, is one of the best garage investments you can make. The round tube chassis is very strong and ideal for axle stand placement. Just do it in stages, front first, then check they don't tip. as you start on the rear. Sounds a massive hassle, but in reality 10 mins work. Ramps take up a lot of room, are fixed height and no good if you need to remove the wheels. The trolley jack covers it all.

116

General Forum / AK1318

« on: September 28, 2016, 17:37:50 »

Kevin, it will be vastly more than an engine swap. The entire engine bay will be reconfigured and heat dissipation will probably be the biggest challenge. That means footwells, pedal box, trans tunnel, exhaust etc. However, I'm determined that it will look like a factory job or better when finished. The key is an all aluminium engine that weighs little more that the iron 302. I hope to show the big block Cobra can corner as well as it goes, traction issues aside. The project has been met with quite a lot of resistance from many Mk IV owners and those who give a reason, say the small block works better. I'm sure that's right. But I'm interested in experiencing the legend and well, the Mk IV has the big block body shape anyhow. Yes I will post pictures if anybody is interested when it gets under way in earnest. The new engine and transmission won't be here unti mid 2017 and the car wont be taken apart until then. I expect it to take 9 months with a little longer to debug. I already tried the plate and that fits okay!
   

117

General Forum / AK1318

« on: September 26, 2016, 17:34:08 »

Martin you can PM me if you need any buying or other advice. The 302 should definitely be the least trouble and the most economical, but depends on what you are looking for. I'm a Mk IV 302 owner of about 18 months and think I have a good understanding the car and how the market operates. I've done 6000 miles in it already which is not the norm. I'm modifying it too, which is not everyone's cup of tea, but am very pleased I persevered with the long journey to finally own one.

118

General Forum / A new monthly meeting ?

« on: September 24, 2016, 12:06:08 »

Glenn, I really think the whole ACOC forum is great pity. As you well know I own a Mk IV. I've posted over 20 posts with very few responses. Quite disheartening because it seems to me that many of my fellow Mk IV owners simply don't care to frequent these forums. There may also be some who own the cars but don't use them at all. But then there are only 78 rhd cars. Many of the posts are when people are seeking technical help or about car values, but that's about it. There was only one post, that got any form of conversation going and that was stopped by a moderator who said the dialogue was going off topic. Brilliant! I think sadly when a forum is inactive, nobody looks at it very often. It would help greatly if posters could be mailed if somebody responded and also if photos could be posted direct from your device. I'd pay a few more quid on my membership for that, because right now it's the US Club Cobra I frequent to get any form of chat going. As for getting somebody to turn up at a meet.......

119

General Forum / AK1318

« on: September 24, 2016, 01:40:38 »

I have been to see this car and spent a lot of time examining it. On the day I was there there was very little history available....to put it mildly. It seems the car was supplied as a l/w rolling shell by Autokraft and some years later was fitted with a Ford big block engine. I imagine that's when it was registered.
   It's now described as a 428 and not a 427 side oiler. Shelby also used this engine in period, but it's not the same at all. The engine fit is more than a tight in the bay, but I've never seen how good any of the 11 factory cars are.
   I remember AK offering rolling chassis at the end and some of the MK IVs in circulation today also had engines fitted after they left the factory. The question is, originality and motor spec aside, is it a usable, developed car? On a std rhd Mk IV, the drivers footwell moulding covers up the wing vent, as does the battery on the other side. Bad enough in summer traffic on a 5L 302, but a 7L? I can't see how this allows effective cooling. Some of the paint in the pedal box was blistered, but that might be normal. Does have 3" exhaust tubing, which is correct and very difficult to fit.
   I thought it a fab looking car, despite having potentially some issues now and in the future.

120

Cobra (Thames Ditton) Forum / CSX3282 Owners log from 1966

« on: September 14, 2016, 14:29:17 »

Thanks guys, but if one end of the vent was in the footwell, where was the entry point? Maybe on one the two brake grills on the front end?
   Anyhow, can't be much good in traffic, which is where you really need it unless it was an electric fan.