Black Mamba --- out at the first show of the year

[Erik W. Treves]

Finally, got enough shake down miles that I thought a road trip was in order. Nice day here in the south so I headed out on the highway and drove about 1 hour 15 minutes to a car show...spend the day there talking to a bunch of car guys and gals. Finished up and drove home...about 125 miles total and closing in in the first 1000 miles! just over half way there now! Car ran great...80 mph gets me right at 2000 RPM. I didn't win anything, which is fine...I got to enjoy the day and ride was well worth it. There were like a million people around the car all day ..pretty cool. Here is a shot right as I got there. gonna be an awesome summer I think!

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=40442&d=1428841999

[Ray W.]

It blows my mind that you didn't win anything. That car is beyond beautiful. Glad you had a great time, and I'm sure the drive was the best part.

[Garry Bopp]

Erik,

How could "The Black Mamba" not win anything? Pretty unbelievable! Loved seeing that beauty at SEMA. Glad you had a great ride, though. I've found that local car shows often don't have a category for the Cobras (ie, sports cars or somesuch). I did a show last fall and got stuck into the "Open Category" with my coupe. The award went to a motorcycle ... go figure!

Garry

[Erik W. Treves]

Yeah no worries...would have been nice to win something...for me it was more about driving it away from the safety of my house and make it back....love that validation!

[Bren]

I've found that to win awards, you have to bring the car to the right show. I used to own a 1937 Chevy business coupe that was restored to original condition, with it's straight 6 engine. I took it to several car shows and never won anything even though I thought it was one of the best cars at several shows. But, at most of the shows the judges preferred hot rods. They'd prefer to see it chopped with a big V8, bucket seats, a pearl paint job, etc. The judges at the shows I took the car to did not appreciate originality.

On the other hand, it looks like the car show you were at was pretty eclectic. And everybody loves a Cobra.

[Todd Buttrick]

Erik,

Your car is simply amazing. Like Bren said, you just need to be at the right show and you'll capture more trophies per show than anyone else. More important, just drive the car. Thrash it and put some serious rub on the tires the way it was meant. Get some patina added and you won't keep up with onslaught of trophies. Be safe!

[chopthebass]

Looks tiny against that Ford truck!! Awesome car

[edwardb]

Erik, your car rocks. Thanks for sharing. Still thinking about a 289 as my next project...

I've done the show car thing the last few years with my Mk3 and now my Mk4 Roadster. Couple of big shows but mostly the usual parking lot or street shows they have all over every weekend here in the Motor City. I enjoy sitting around talking cars with people (well mostly) so I enjoy it. But the award thing is kind of a mixed bag. Often they don't know what to do with our cars, e.g. what class they should be in, etc. I've been in sports car classes, 60's classes, race car classes, and occasionally a replica or hand built class. When in a class with similar cars, it does OK. But in the larger more general classes (e.g. 60's vintage) usually the judges don't do much. I've won some trophies, but leave many shows with nothing. This is aside from the very political aspect of many shows, the judges are club members, etc. But won't go there... What I'm amazed about at every show I go to though, with or without an award, is that people will see the Roadster and walk all the way across the show site to look at it and talk to you. Walking by many of the eventual show winners. These things draw tons of attention no matter what the judges say.

[ehansen007]

Who cares about the show. That car's a winner. I'm so glad to hear how everything is going and I always look forward to to talking to you about the car because it seems you're liking it more and more. I'm super excited that it's a true driver and it's one of your funnest cars. Can't wait to get mine going!

[christenfreedman]

Finally, got enough shake down miles that I thought a road trip was in order. Nice day here in the south so I headed out on the highway and drove about 1 hour 15 minutes to a car show...spend the day there talking to a bunch of car guys and gals. Finished up and drove home...about 125 miles total and closing in in the first 1000 miles! just over half way there now! Car ran great...80 mph gets me right at 2000 RPM. I didn't win anything, which is fine...I got to enjoy the day and ride was well worth it. There were like a million people around the car all day ..pretty cool. Here is a shot right as I got there. gonna be an awesome summer I think!

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=40442&d=1428841999

With 1k on the odometer...those tires still working well for you? Still thinking about getting a set...
as

[Erik W. Treves]

Don't quite have 1k on it yet...525...I would buy them again. Nice tire.