Terry in Las Vegas Build - 15,000 miles, standard ratio R-P installed.

[460.465USMC]

Sounds like a blast! Great motivation for me to keep plugging away. Incredible views....looks like it goes on for countless miles. Thanks for posting these pictures.

[Papa]

It was a beautiful Nov day here in southern NV. 4 Cobras and a Camaro went for a 200 mile drive through Valley of Fire State Park and along Lake Mead. BBQ and a beer finished the trip.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/pp213/tmartinlvnv/20221105_095536.jpg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds (https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/pp213/tmartinlvnv/20221105_095536.jpg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)

https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/pp213/tmartinlvnv/20221105_105144.jpg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds (https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/pp213/tmartinlvnv/20221105_105144.jpg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)

https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/pp213/tmartinlvnv/20221105_110512.jpg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds (https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/pp213/tmartinlvnv/20221105_110512.jpg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)

Awesome photos!

[TMartinLVNV]

To celebrate the end of summer 2023, Howard and I took a trip around the Grand Canyon.

We left Las Vegas, drove through Zion national park, then into the north rim of the Grand Canyon. It was an amazing day for two reasons. First, the weather cooperated. Second, we met 4 people at various gas stations that knew someone, dated someone who's father had, or was related to someone that had a "real" Cobra. What an amazing coincidence. Howard was a great brand ambassador this day answering the typical questions. We stayed overnight in Jacob Lake.

This day we drove around the east end of the Grand Canyon and into the south rim. Unfortunately, the visitor's center was closed due to staffing shortages. We then drove down through Sedona, Jerome, and stayed in Prescott. I was the brand ambassador this day answering questions while detailing my car in the parking lot before breakfast.

On the third day, we drove a portion of Rte 66 before returning to Las Vegas.

Over the three days, we drove 1000 miles. 1014 by my odometer and 980 by Howard's. This was my first long trip since last summer when I experienced the rocker arm/lifter failure. Fortunately, both of our cars drove problem free. We already have another overnight trip planned for Oct going into CA. That one should put me at 15k miles. Then my car will be ready for it's 5k inspection and deep cleaning.

Zion
https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/pp213/tmartinlvnv/IMG_20230920_135018580_HDR.jpg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds (https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/pp213/tmartinlvnv/IMG_20230920_135018580_HDR.jpg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)

North Rim
https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/pp213/tmartinlvnv/IMG_20230920_165507864_HDR.jpg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds (https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/pp213/tmartinlvnv/IMG_20230920_165507864_HDR.jpg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)

South Rim
https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/pp213/tmartinlvnv/IMG_20230921_120757156_HDR.jpg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds (https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/pp213/tmartinlvnv/IMG_20230921_120757156_HDR.jpg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)

You can figure out this one!
https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/pp213/tmartinlvnv/IMG_20230922_092016167_HDR.jpg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds (https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/pp213/tmartinlvnv/IMG_20230922_092016167_HDR.jpg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)

[TMartinLVNV]

Happiness lies ahead. Howard is behind me wishing I was taking the corners faster.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/pp213/tmartinlvnv/Screenshot_20230921-175205.png?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds (https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/pp213/tmartinlvnv/Screenshot_20230921-175205.png?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)

[zarnold]

Wow! Awesome pics!

[Fman]

Terry, Thanks for sharing those pics and glad your roadster is still running strong! What part of CA will you be visiting?

[TMartinLVNV]

We are driving through the San Bernardino mountains to Moreno Valley to visit the March Air Force museum. Oct 12-13.

[cc2Arider]

Nice to hear your engine woes are miles behind you Terry :)

Craig C

[buttsjim]

It's great to see you enjoying your car and that it's working great! You're still welcome to come by and quaff a few next time you're in San Antonio.

[TMartinLVNV]

Jim, I'll probably be back in SA in the spring. I still have your #

[TMartinLVNV]

Terry, Thanks for sharing those pics and glad your roadster is still running strong! What part of CA will you be visiting?

Howard has been thinking about planning a PCH trip for a while now. It will most likely be about a week long and going up into Oregon from north of LA. It would be great to hook up with some CA people. I'm retiring early August 2024. So, it will be shortly thereafter.

[Blitzboy54]

Outstanding. Having lived on both sides of the country, without a doubt, the west has all the best roads for this kind of stuff. Thanks for update Terry.

[TMartinLVNV]

Looks like I did one donut too many. I was giving a coworker a ride in the Cobra and was doing some showoff donuts. The M/T said no more.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/pp213/tmartinlvnv/IMG_20231009_101012568.jpg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds (https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/pp213/tmartinlvnv/IMG_20231009_101012568.jpg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)

https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/pp213/tmartinlvnv/IMG_20231009_114233186_2.jpg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds (https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/pp213/tmartinlvnv/IMG_20231009_114233186_2.jpg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)

https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/pp213/tmartinlvnv/IMG_20231009_101118392.jpg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds (https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/pp213/tmartinlvnv/IMG_20231009_101118392.jpg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)

I replaced the rears from some Nitto 555s and was back on the road. This actually happened just before the San Bernadino road trip.

[TMartinLVNV]

I'm at 15,140 miles now and the car was due for a deep cleaning. Wheels come off to get cleaned on the inside, wheel wells get wiped down, and frame underneath gets some loving.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/pp213/tmartinlvnv/IMG_20231021_185631004_HDR.jpg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds (https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/pp213/tmartinlvnv/IMG_20231021_185631004_HDR.jpg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)

I drive this car on a lot of road trips. One thing that has bugged me was how twitchy the car is at 75 mph. One mouse fart of effort is enough to change lanes on the highway. F5 sends these cars out with a "quick ratio" steering rack. I bought a standard ratio steering rack to see if it made the car more relaxing to drive. This changes the steering ratio from 15:1 to 20:1 and requires more input on the steering wheel. After getting the car aligned again, I am happy with the difference. It is not huge, but just noticeable. I took it out on the highway and now I'm at a cat fart of effort to change lanes. I think it changes lock to lock turns from 3.5 to 4 revolutions on the steering wheel.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/pp213/tmartinlvnv/IMG_20231021_182044783.jpg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds (https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/pp213/tmartinlvnv/IMG_20231021_182044783.jpg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)

I bought a new Cardone R-P unit from Rock Auto. A problem I ran into is that the mounting loops where the rack bushings go are a different diameter than the F5 supplied unit. The Breeze Automotive aluminum ones were slightly too large to fit this one. I bought some polyurethane ones and shaved them down to fit. Then I had to fab up some inner sleeves to fit the 1/2" bolts. It was a little bit of effort, but now all done.

[460.465USMC]

I admire a man who knows his farts. :p I can't think of a better way to describe it myself. I only have 1,300 miles so far, but have the power steering rack as well. I've also noticed the minimum amount of steering wheel turn it takes at speed as well.

[John Ibele]

https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/pp213/tmartinlvnv/IMG_20231009_101118392.jpg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds (https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/pp213/tmartinlvnv/IMG_20231009_101118392.jpg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)




...which raises the question: for how many of those 15k miles was the car actually moving forward? :p

[TMartinLVNV]

...which raises the question: for how many of those 15k miles was the car actually moving forward? :p

When I was wiping down the frame inside of the rear wheel wells, I considered scraping off the shredded rubber bits on the underside of the fiberglass. I decided to leave it in place and consider it sound insulation and protection from cracks in the paint from rocks thrown up by the tires.

[John Ibele]

It’s like … a self-maintaining car.