The Value of Dark Side Powered (Chevy) Roadsters

[GoDadGo]

Hey Gang,

I've been told by a ton of folks that I killed the value of my car simply because I stuffed it with a 383 (All Dart) SBC and ZF 6-Speed.
While I can't find many cars that have sold Powered From The Dark Side, yesterday I found this Shell Valley that sold on B.A.T. for $44,000.00.
What blew me away was the lack of detail to the finishing of the car in areas that you don't see from 20 feet away.
Things like broken mirrors, unpainted door interior, and an unfinished trunk left a lot to be desired.
One of the wipers pulled even through the body so they are now non-functional.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1965-shelby-cobra-98/

Anyway, I really wonder what Redbone would fetch if I listed it on Bring-A-Trailer; however, I'm not ready to part with it yet.

Naked Redbone:
https://youtu.be/V38Jajo_qOQ

Redbone In Re-Assembly:
https://youtu.be/ELFJDOVKb4g

Redbone Completed:
https://youtu.be/9WEe6-wdNtA

While Shell Valley makes a pretty nice car, the execution regarding the completion of what sold yesterday blew me away yet it still yielded $44,000.00.

Please tell me what you think Redbone would bring if I listed my car on B.A.T.

Steve

[j.miller]

$1.00.......ok , $3.00.......how about we settle on $2.00. Now that you got a lowball ,,,,,anything else should make you feel better. It's what I do, I'm a giver. Cheers... Da bat

[GoDadGo]

$1.00.......ok , $3.00.......how about we settle on $2.00. Now that you got a lowball ,,,,,anything else should make you feel better. It's what I do, I'm a giver. Cheers... Da bat

Love It!

[rich grsc]

$1.00.......ok , $3.00.......how about we settle on $2.00. Now that you got a lowball ,,,,,anything else should make you feel better. It's what I do, I'm a giver. Cheers... Da bat
I'll up you to $2.50. Christmas an all:rolleyes:

[rthomas98]

Hey a guy once traded a paperclip for a house.

So I offer you a bobby pin that my wife accidently let fall on the floor and I stepped on. Figure I can swap foot pain for a chevy powered cobra. :D

[Jim1855]

Quite the charitable group. Hanging out with "friends" just brings warmth to your heart.

I like Chevys, I'll go $5.

Jim

[J R Jones]

With ROI in mind. you could adapt a Corvette C1 body and cash-in. The FFR MKl & MkII bids on BaT just now are stagnating.
jim

[egchewy79]

that BAT cobra has seen better days. $44k seems like a lot. I'm sure redbone would command a much higher price. seems like all cars are selling at crazy prices currently. I helped a buddy of mine find a completed MK3 donor build last year for ~$24k. he's got it over at the traveling builder's shop right now and putting in a new powerplant as well as 5 lug rear conversion. for around $10-12k more investment, he'll have a car that will sell for $50k all day long.

[GoDadGo]

Guys,

I love the jocularity but would like some serious responses.
I may be forced to sell the car to help fund our new home.
I didn't think it was an option until yesterday's BAT results.

Steve

[egchewy79]

Guys,

I love the jocularity but would like some serious responses.
I may be forced to sell the car to help fund our new home.
I didn't think it was an option until yesterday's BAT results.

Steve

Can you auction it on BAT w/ a reserve?
Sorry to hear that you might be selling. I know how much you put into this car and would hate to see you have to part with it.
Don't you have an extra kidney or something that you could sell instead ;)?

[GoDadGo]

Can you auction it on BAT w/ a reserve?
Sorry to hear that you might be selling. I know how much you put into this car and would hate to see you have to part with it.
Don't you have an extra kidney or something that you could sell instead ;)?

I'm saving that for my brother who has a ton of things wrong with him, so selling a kidney isn't an option.
Seriously, I'm holding it in reserve in case he needs it.

[rthomas98]

joking aside, cobras no matter the power plant seems to be bringing in many more dollars recently than they did. I do not think $40k is that far out.

[Jeff Kleiner]

In seriousness a Chevy engine or automatic transmission don’t so much impact value as they do reduce the pool of potential buyers. To that end the car should fetch a price pretty much on par with a comparably equipped Windsor powered car of equal build quality….as long as you aren’t in a big hurry to sell and are willing to hold out for the right buyer. My .02 anyway ;)

Jeff

[Fman]

A Superformance Cobra completely finished out the door with a Roush 427 is running north of 100k. Pretty insane but people are not shying away from ordering them at that price. Ever since Ford vs. Ferrari was released sales have been booming for them. I know someone who just ordered there Superformance GT40 and it is a one year wait right now which is quite a bit more expensive than there 427 Cobra. GDG I am sure you could grab a nice price for your roadster but why would you sell it now after all the hard work and time building it? Hopefully you are out enjoying it and driving the wheels off of it.

[RoadRacer]

It was clever of that seller to use a 427 though.. I bet most buyers of finished cars would be like "what motor does it have", "a 427", "oh perfect".. :D

You gotta be north of $40k, but we're just guessing here. It's the guys with the fat wallets who decide.

[egchewy79]

I'm saving that for my brother who has a ton of things wrong with him, so selling a kidney isn't an option.
Seriously, I'm holding it in reserve in case he needs it.

Sorry to hear. There are always sperm and plasma banks that will pay … just sayin. Renewable resources

[tonywy]

I have said it over and over that the FFR brand is way undervalued. I think when buyers get tired of paying north of 100K for other brands and then realizing what they could of bought you will see prices increase. GDG, don't give it away. I know that engine trans combination and I'd bet it's a screamer.

[RRussellTx]

It's hard to say what it will bring, but the prices on BaT are heading up.
Not sure if you saw this one that went for $73,500 several weeks ago:

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1965-factory-five-racing-cobra-roadster-2/

[john42]

Damn.. I may need to raise my stated value with my insurance company...

[GoDadGo]

It's hard to say what it will bring, but the prices on BaT are heading up.
Not sure if you saw this one that went for $73,500 several weeks ago:

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1965-factory-five-racing-cobra-roadster-2/

I saw that one too and loved the sinister style because it really works on a roadster.

[GoDadGo]

GDG, don't give it away. I know that engine trans combination and I'd bet it's a screamer.

The car pulls like a freight train all the way to 6,500 RPM, but I seldom push it past 5,500 since there is simply no need to do so.
On the interstate, it turns 1,700 RPM at 70 MPH and is happy as a clam at 3,000 RPM which is scooting you along at 125 MPH.
At that speed, the steering feels very light but still controllable.

[GoDadGo]

Damn.. I may need to raise my stated value with my insurance company...

I never thought about that issue.
Hummmmmm!

[Kodiak]

Ok guys this question has been on my mind for a while. What determines the value of a car being sold ? Engine /trans rear end wheels /tires I get that but most roadsters I see for sale are around 39k to 45k non donor builds .That just seems little light on the price .

[KDubU]

It's hard to say what it will bring, but the prices on BaT are heading up.
Not sure if you saw this one that went for $73,500 several weeks ago:

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1965-factory-five-racing-cobra-roadster-2/

This one was due to the buyer desperately wanting that roadster only (check his bidding). If you find a buyer like that, then you’re golden. There have been a number of ERA’s and Unique’s that sold for the $50’s and 60’s on BAT recently and both manufacturers are very good and they had more than a 302 under the hood except for the 289. This FFR met some wants obviously but there are much nicer ones being built or have been built here on the forum just not sure they would get $75k+, maybe again if the right buyer is there and ready. I definitely see FFR’s way up in price though from 2015 onwards.

For Steve though, sorry my friend I hear SBC’s are way down in price especially in a replica cobra ;).

[GoDadGo]

For Steve though, sorry my friend I hear SBC’s are way down in price especially in a replica cobra ;).

I've only seen two SBC's ever sold and both were Shell Valley cars, the first was on Ebay fetching 48-K, and the recent one sold on B.A.T. for 44-K.
Building my dream car doesn't mean anyone else would share that same nightmare and that's okay.
The good news for you all is traditional Ford-powered Factory Five's are selling well on B.A.T.
Personally, I can't believe the recent Shell Valley SBC sold on B.A.T. blew past the 30-K mark.

https://bringatrailer.com/auctions/results/?search=factory+five+roadster

I may test the waters in February (With A Strong Reserve) because by that time I'll know a bit more about where I stand on our new home project.
Heading a single-income household since 1989 has put me behind the financial 8-Ball, but I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
All 3 kids went to private schools, 2 have graduated college, plus our son expects to graduate in May 2022.
Heck, I even paid for my wife's last three years making her the first in her family to graduate from college.

[GoDadGo]

I want to thank you all for posting your opinions, especially those that seriously addressed my question.

.........................May you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

[rich grsc]

I want to thank you all for posting your opinions, especially those that seriously addressed my question.

.........................May you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Happy Holidays to you and you family. We build them mostly to suit our wants and needs, not for others opinion of what they 'should' be.
That said, my $2.50 still stands. :p:rolleyes:

[snakedoc]

BAT is a great place to sell. You'll make the most money here for sure. The big payoff is presentation. Gotta have great pictures, and really important, cold start and drive video's. My Mk3 sold last week for $67K which was a welcome surprise! You just need 2 bidders to fight it out. I think the market will stay pretty strong into the next quarter.

[GoDadGo]

Happy Holidays to you and you family. We build them mostly to suit our wants and needs, not for others opinion of what they 'should' be.
That said, my $2.50 still stands. :p:rolleyes:


I'll keep your offer in mind Rich!

[GoDadGo]

BAT is a great place to sell. You'll make the most money here for sure. The big payoff is presentation. Gotta have great pictures, and really important, cold start and drive video's. My Mk3 sold last week for $67K which was a welcome surprise! You just need 2 bidders to fight it out. I think the market will stay pretty strong into the next quarter.


If a poorly executed Shell Valley can bring 44-K on B.A.T. I may find myself with a couple of strong bidders.
Should I decide to sell the car it will most certainly be with professional help including several videos.

[Papa]

Steve,

Sorry to hear you're considering selling. You literally have put your blood, sweat, and tears into your build. What's it worth to someone else? Likely a lot less than it's worth to you. The good news is I definitely see steadily increasing values for Factory Five cars. As others have said, it just takes the right buyer with the cash to spend to fall in love with your car. Put it on eBay with a high price tag and see what happens in terms of offers. You never know unless you try. I've sold multiple cars on eBay and have had pretty good luck getting the price I wanted.

Her's an example of the price it ridiculously high and see what kind of offers you get: https://www.ebay.com/itm/165227392616?hash=item267851ee68:g:0gMAAOSwUSNhs~Q f

Dave

[svassh]

Everyone has a price $$$ they would sell for. My recommendation is come up with that number now and post it here and on Cargurus.com. I avoid Craigslist and Facebook as you'll just get people wasting your time. I have a buyer flying in to pickup my GT350R tonight for full asking price after turning down 6 other offers from $2K-10K under asking. Car was only listed on CarGurus only for about 6 weeks. If it did not sell by end of year it was going to BAT. The thing with BAT is they can reject selling your car unless they set a reserve that is often considerably less than you want to sell the car for. Anything can happen in an auction and BAT is very controlling on price and when they will list it, may take weeks or months before they even list.

Better to sell it now and get what you can live with than a fire drill when you have to (if you had to). I have noticed prices beginning to fall on BAT and other auctions but it is still a Sellers market.

[J R Jones]

In this vehicle niche market one is looking for a buyer with disposable income. Financing a car like this is difficult and poor fiscal judgement. Seeking a buyer with disposable income, you are selling against the obvious, but also OEM performance cars, trucks, boats, motorcycles, RVs vacation homes, and aircraft. In those categories a saleable attribute is "unmolested original condition". Also "Dealer maintained". Your kit car? Car dealers routinely wholesale modified, potentially non-conforming vehicles.
As an example, if one is buying a home, one expects that all the repairs and remodels were done by licenced contractors to meet building codes. All of that is forward thinking: "What is my ownership experience going to be? What will be the kit car trouble and expense, down the road?"
The cars purchased to be static displays are less subject to these concerns.
Like a home purchase, the aesthetics are obvious, the utilities, not so much, that is why building codes and inspections are significant. A kit car is as far from these controls/assurances as you can get. Discriminating buyers will balance risk with potential resale value. I often see background listed in kit car ads: Built by mechanical engineer, or an ASE certified technician. Sometimes that is a valid qualification.
Another analogy is buying a pet to live with you for 10 to 15 years. Some people feel "It is just a dog, a mutt is acceptable", they hope it is healthy, it craps outdoors and it won't bite anyone. Discriminating pet owners attend dog shows for reference and purchase appropriate pedigreed animals from certified breeders. A kit car is a mutt, and genetic inbreeding makes buyers queasy.
So building and buying a kit car is gambling; and the first rule is: "Never gamble more than you can afford to loose".
jim

[nucjd19]

I've only seen two SBC's ever sold and both were Shell Valley cars, the first was on Ebay fetching 48-K, and the recent one sold on B.A.T. for 44-K.
Building my dream car doesn't mean anyone else would share that same nightmare and that's okay.
The good news for you all is traditional Ford-powered Factory Five's are selling well on B.A.T.
Personally, I can't believe the recent Shell Valley SBC sold on B.A.T. blew past the 30-K mark.

https://bringatrailer.com/auctions/results/?search=factory+five+roadster

I may test the waters in February (With A Strong Reserve) because by that time I'll know a bit more about where I stand on our new home project.
Heading a single-income household since 1989 has put me behind the financial 8-Ball, but I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
All 3 kids went to private schools, 2 have graduated college, plus our son expects to graduate in May 2022.
Heck, I even paid for my wife's last three years making her the first in her family to graduate from college.

Investing in your loved ones speaks volumes of your character and soul. I hope things work out for ya Steve AND you can keep Redbone.

[nucjd19]

In this vehicle niche market one is looking for a buyer with disposable income. Financing a car like this is difficult and poor fiscal judgement. Seeking a buyer with disposable income, you are selling against the obvious, but also OEM performance cars, trucks, boats, motorcycles, RVs vacation homes, and aircraft. In those categories a saleable attribute is "unmolested original condition". Also "Dealer maintained". Your kit car? Car dealers routinely wholesale modified, potentially non-conforming vehicles.
As an example, if one is buying a home, one expects that all the repairs and remodels were done by licenced contractors to meet building codes. All of that is forward thinking: "What is my ownership experience going to be? What will be the kit car trouble and expense, down the road?"
The cars purchased to be static displays are less subject to these concerns.
Like a home purchase, the aesthetics are obvious, the utilities, not so much, that is why building codes and inspections are significant. A kit car is as far from these controls/assurances as you can get. Discriminating buyers will balance risk with potential resale value. I often see background listed in kit car ads: Built by mechanical engineer, or an ASE certified technician. Sometimes that is a valid qualification.
Another analogy is buying a pet to live with you for 10 to 15 years. Some people feel "It is just a dog, a mutt is acceptable", they hope it is healthy, it craps outdoors and it won't bite anyone. Discriminating pet owners attend dog shows for reference and purchase appropriate pedigreed animals from certified breeders. A kit car is a mutt, and genetic inbreeding makes buyers queasy.
So building and buying a kit car is gambling; and the first rule is: "Never gamble more than you can afford to loose".
jim

We have a horse farm and import and breed European Warmbloods ( well I should not say we....It is more my wife's business but when there is a shoulder dystocia and a foal is stuck in the birth canal I am the one she calls on to dive in there and reposition the foal which happens more than you know. You have not lived until you have had enough embryonic fluid dumped on you that you think you are going down a slip-n-slide). Dealing with folks with and without discretionary income for a luxury item is very challenging. Reassurances are critical when selling a horse for 6 figures (or for 5 figures for that matter) Whole x ray sets and vet inspections are par for the course with folks backing out for the littlest of issues. That being said the folks with the higher discretionary incomes are the easiest to deal with because if they want something the smaller details are less of an issue and they are willing to take the risk quicker. I think this translates well. Throw Redbone out there and put your price you want. I suspect you will get folks that tire kick and nit pick and want you to send them extra videos and pictures( In my experience in the horse world those folks are less apt to buy) and then you might find someone with the funds that really like it and it " speaks to them " and the next thing you know...you have an empty garage bay ready for your new project. Has happened with many horses we breed over the years and has been the most rewarding sales where we have kept in touch with the buyers throughout the US and Canada.

[chmhasy]

Steve,

Sorry to hear you're considering selling. You literally have put your blood, sweat, and tears into your build. What's it worth to someone else? Likely a lot less than it's worth to you. The good news is I definitely see steadily increasing values for Factory Five cars. As others have said, it just takes the right buyer with the cash to spend to fall in love with your car. Put it on eBay with a high price tag and see what happens in terms of offers. You never know unless you try. I've sold multiple cars on eBay and have had pretty good luck getting the price I wanted.

Her's an example of the price it ridiculously high and see what kind of offers you get: https://www.ebay.com/itm/165227392616?hash=item267851ee68:g:0gMAAOSwUSNhs~Q f

Dave

Its sad to think that some guy built a really nice Roadster, drove it 1200 miles and then sells it to dealer. :(

[J R Jones]

Jon, I have some horse experience through my sister in law that bought and sold Trakehners from Germany.

Three (more) observations on buy/sell:
My car buddies and I watch and occasionally buy cars on the BaT auction. Non-buying keyboard kops predominate. There are bidders there with what we call stupid money. The cost is not important; they literally can afford to throw away the money.
Some sellers may be the same economic status, and the price is academic. They and other sellers may be, or become, motivated; where the process is inconvenient and the asking price is just to make the car go away.
Some sellers, (example estates) have no knowledge of car value and underprice a car. I have seen that twice recently (356 Porsche Coupe and a Lotus Super Seven). The price was so good I tried to buy the cars even though I don't need them. Well as you might guess, buyers inundated the sellers.

Exceptions to routine exist, unicorn buyers and sellers are out there. As Jeff K stated above: "as long as you aren’t in a big hurry to sell and are willing to hold out for the right buyer".
jim

[Ford & Jeep Fan]

....... a 383 (All Dart) SBC and ZF 6-Speed......
........
Steve

tell me more about this ZF6 speed. Is this the same ZF6 speed from a powerstroke Ford truck??

[GoDadGo]

tell me more about this ZF6 speed. Is this the same ZF6 speed from a Powerstroke Ford truck??

No, the ZF gearbox is out of a C4 Corvette.
Chevrolet used it from 1989-1996.
Mine was a new old stock unit.
The specs are listed below:

http://www.zfdoc.com/techinfo.htm

[J R Jones]

tell me more about this ZF6 speed. Is this the same ZF6 speed from a powerstroke Ford truck??

F&J DGD likely has the C4 Corvette transmission that is hugely different from the truck application. Externally, bell housing and shifter are different. I expect the gear ratios differ.
The first Corvette ZFs were made in Germany, later units in the US.
I am matching a ZF 6-speed with a Chevy LS in an Avanti on a custom Corvette chassis.
jim

[GoDadGo]

I am matching a ZF 6-speed with a Chevy LS in an Avanti on a custom Corvette chassis.


Contact Bill Boudreau if you can't find a bell-housing adapter plate to mate your LS engine to your ZF gearbox.

http://www.zfdoc.com/projects.htm

Bill truly is the ZF-Doctor.

[J R Jones]

I bought all the drive parts as a package from Carroll Corvette in GA. No problem.
LS is from a 98 C5 Corvette.
I built the 109 in WB chassis for the Salt Flats style body.
jim

158840

[GoDadGo]

I bought all the drive parts as a package from Carroll Corvette in GA. No problem.
LS is from a 98 C5 Corvette.
I built the 109 in WB chassis for the Salt Flats style body.
jim

158840

So you're using the T56 transaxle setup?

[J R Jones]

No, the ZF six speed is a transmission, not a transaxle.
Carroll Corvette specializes in C4 equipment.
BTW #646 is not my car, and I will not be racing mine. The Studebaker chassis is archaic, but the Corvette chassis is not speed record optimum. I don't know if there is a class for this blend of parts.
jim

[narly1]

I may be forced to sell the car to help fund our new home.


I'd live out of the car before doing that. LOL

Earl

[GoDadGo]

No, the ZF six speed is a transmission, not a transaxle.
Carroll Corvette specializes in C4 equipment.
BTW #646 is not my car, and I will not be racing mine. The Studebaker chassis is archaic, but the Corvette chassis is not speed record optimum. I don't know if there is a class for this blend of parts.
jim

I thought you were using the ZF gearbox, but then you said you were using C5 components and LS engine. Since you mentioned the car having a 108" wheelbase and LS engine it kind of sounded like you were going to use a C-5's entire driveline including rear-mounted gearbox and torque tube.

Good Luck On Your Crazy Avanti Project!

[GoDadGo]

I'd live out the car before doing that. LOL

Earl

Love It, But Can't Live In It!

We may just table the home building project, possibly pushing it out a year or two, because we had a blast yesterday at our local Cars & Coffee event. ...That car is just so darn much fun to drive and knowing that I was the only fellow driving a car that I built in my tiny shop puts my wife and me in a totally different category from all the other Car Kooks that we see at those events....

I think the economy is going to get really soft between 2022 & 2024 so we may just wait things out.... Just know that I've got No Economic Crystal Ball, just 39 years of Dark Side Banking experience making me feel this way.

We'll Make A Decision By 02/28/2022.

[NC Cobra]

Steve,
Think you are on point regarding the economy. The economy cant stay this way for much longer and when it corrects your building costs are going to come WAY down. I’ve followed your posts for quite a while and can see that Redbone means a lot more than transportation to you. The emotional attachments we form with them go way beyond dollars and sense (more accurately the lack of sense) and in my opinion have more to do with the quality of life than more rational metrics. Ultimately, I know you will make the right decision for your circumstances but would encourage you to factor in the joy that car brings to you. Besides, we would miss the hell out of you on the forums!
Cheers,
Jeff

[GoDadGo]

Steve,
Think you are on point regarding the economy. The economy cant stay this way for much longer and when it corrects your building costs are going to come WAY down. Ultimately, I know you will make the right decision for your circumstances but would encourage you to factor in the joy that car brings to you.
Cheers,
Jeff

Jeff,

I did materials take off on our new home project and I'm kind of screwed so maybe I'll just wait to see how things will turn out.
Between Hurricane Ida and other named storms, rebuilding, and repair activities down here in Louisiana have pushed the cost of lumber and labor way up.
At least the land has been purchased and is now being cleared plus I've got ZERO debt other than one more tuition payment to make for Baby Go-Dad.

Steve

[Dr. Manhattan]

Back in the late 70s/early 80s, I briefly owned an Arntz Cobra kit that I unfortunately purchased just as the company declared bankruptcy, and so I never received all of the kit's contents. I ended up selling it off as-is for what I had in it. I am now considering a roadster build of my own. As a current "outsider" looking in, I can offer opinions on two subjects here.

The following is JMO:

As to the roadster engine/value question, has it been forgotten that if Chevrolet hadn't told Carroll Shelby to get lost, we'd all be romanticizing about the old Chevy Cobras right now? The SBC was Shelby's first choice for the Cobra's power plant, right? The performance of the original Cobra would have been devastating with either the Ford or Chevy small blocks in it because the car was so much lighter than anything out there at the time with that kind of hp. So, I don't understand the insistence of many (most?) that it's sacrilege to put anything other than a 289 or FE side-oiler in an FFR roadster, which, after all, is not a Ford Cobra. It's a car that has the looks and charm of an original Cobra, and is designed to give its occupants the "Cobra experience". Since it is not a Superformance continuation car, it is freed from the technical constraints of that original design...and is therefore potentially a better car in many respects. One major respect is the availability of much-lighter-weight, modern engines (some of which are all-alloy) that make even more power than the original 427.

That having been said, lots of potential buyers are probably still thinking about these cars like they're bargain Ford 427 Cobras because, hey, that's how they look. Those people might shy away from anything else, no matter how much better it works. I can't speak for them...all I can say is, that's not me...and if I was looking to buy someone else's FFR roadster, I would only be considering LS3 (or better) powered cars.

I'm in my mid-60s now, and have been a Corvette guy all my life. My present Corvette is a '96 Grand Sport coupe, which I purchased new. It has the aforementioned ZF 6-speed. Regarding that transmission, I believe it is, overall, slightly more compact than the now-preferred modern 6-speed Tremecs, but I don't believe it has the shifter location flexibility that they do. It has a very pronounced audible "whine" while idling in neutral when the clutch is engaged...as it has low-angle helical gears that were included for the extra strength required to deal with the Lotus/Mercury LT-5 engine in the ZR-1. The shifter feel is not quite as solid as those in the modern Tremecs, though there's nothing wrong with it. This tranny might do very well in the FFR roadster application, and I don't think I would automatically shy away from a car that had a ZF in it.

[RRussellTx]

It's hard to say what it will bring, but the prices on BaT are heading up.
Not sure if you saw this one that went for $73,500 several weeks ago:

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1965-factory-five-racing-cobra-roadster-2/


GoDadGo,

I will concede to KDubU that it requires determined bidders, but it is hard to deny that prices are headed up.
New record on BaT (I believe).
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1965-shelby-cobra-101/


Also, I'm with you - I'm ready to see David's Trojan break the internet on that site!

I think it also opens the door for FFR to justify raising the kit prices.
Time will tell if this is a trend or a bubble.

Either way, it helps my case with my wife for the next project!

[Ford & Jeep Fan]

..............

The following is JMO:

As to the roadster engine/value question, has it been forgotten that if Chevrolet hadn't told Carroll Shelby to get lost, we'd all be romanticizing about the old Chevy Cobras right now? The SBC was Shelby's first choice for the Cobra's power plant, right? ..........

Didn't know, Don't Care. IF history had been gone that way. I'd still love the Cobra style, And I would still MAKE MINE FORD POWERED, NO QUESTION.

[GoDadGo]

Didn't know, Don't Care. IF history had been gone that way. I'd still love the Cobra style, And I would still MAKE MINE FORD POWERED, NO QUESTION.

Mr. Ford & Jeep Fan,

I can't drive a Ford-powered vehicle simply because I'd make Arthur Chevrolet roll over in his grave every time I pass the Cemetary where he's buried.

https://www.nola.com/news/article_02744b0b-2e3a-5450-bbb0-ae8976164f30.html

No kidding, Mr. Chevrolet is buried at Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetry off of Bayou Liberty Road which is the path I travel on my way to my house.

Steve

PS: I couldn't build a Cheetah because those cars were rather ugly compared to the Cobra so building a Chevy Cobra was my destiny.

https://youtu.be/3VDak_a84KI

[Papa]

Mr. Ford & Jeep Fan,

I can't drive a Ford-powered vehicle simply because I'd make Arthur Chevrolet roll over in his grave every time I pass the Cemetary where he's buried.

https://www.nola.com/news/article_02744b0b-2e3a-5450-bbb0-ae8976164f30.html

No kidding, Mr. Chevrolet is buried at Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetry off of Bayou Liberty Road which is the path I travel on my way to my house.

Steve

Whell then, Steve. I guess you probably should avoid driving in Texas out of respect to Caroll Shelby. ;)

Dave

[GoDadGo]

Whell then, Steve. I guess you probably should avoid driving in Texas out of respect to Caroll Shelby. ;)

Dave

Luv It!

[rich grsc]

I'd go hook a dynamo to his grave if that was true because with all the dozens of auto manufacturers today, he could power half the country

[GoDadGo]

I'd go hook a dynamo to his grave if that was true because with all the dozens of auto manufacturers today, he could power half the country

That is why his actual grave is unmarked Rich.
He knew you Ford Fellows would Come-A-Looking for some Chevy power.
They do have a plaque there so I'll get some pics for the forum when I get a chance.

[Mike.Bray]

joking aside, cobras no matter the power plant seems to be bringing in many more dollars recently than they did. I do not think $40k is that far out.

It's not just Cobras, all kinds of specialty cars are hot. I bought a Viper SRT, drove it for 5+ years, and recently sold it for $15K more than I paid for it. You don't do that everyday!

https://www.imagecoast.com/images/MichaelBray1/20161226134735medium.jpg

[Mike.Bray]

I built a Cobra back in the 90s and put a ZZ3 Chevy crate engine in it.
https://www.imagecoast.com/images/MichaelBray1/mvc011f.jpg
https://www.imagecoast.com/images/MichaelBray1/motor2.jpg

One of the reasons I did it was I knew nothing about Fords at the time and I had this cool Moon crossram intake just sitting on the shelf. It was a great engine and a great car, by far the most fun hot rod I've owned which is why I've decided to build another Cobra. With a 351W this time.

When I went to sell it I did have a tough time, everyone wanted a Ford engine. I ended up pulling the engine and selling it separately. The funny thing was the guy who bought the (engineless) car said he was going to put a SBC in it. At least I was able to sell him the headers I'd built lol

To me building cars is a lot about individuality and making it your own. I always enjoyed the creativity side the most. When I could take a block of aluminum and carve it into a valve cover I could say "That's mine." But having said that you do have to be careful and not make it too custom as there will come a day when you sell, or try to sell it. Just remember, you can sell anything - for the right price.

[CFranks]

GoDad - I think you may be selling your particular build short. The level of documentation and videos you’ve done over the years demonstrates the quality and great deal of thought you put into the build. Much more access to the build process for a buyer to see than most of us have done. Should give a prospective buyer a lot of comfort into the “provinance”, quality and personality of what they’re buying. I think that would more than make up for the wrong color block.

[GoDadGo]

GoDad - I think you may be selling your particular build short... The level of documentation and videos you’ve done over the years demonstrates the quality and great deal of thought you put into the build... Much more access to the build process for a buyer to see than most of us have done... Should give a prospective buyer a lot of comfort into the “provenance”, quality and personality of what they’re buying. I think that would more than make up for the wrong color block.

CFranks,

Thanks for the encouragement and perspective regarding my build... If I had originally planned to sell the car down the road I would have done a better job with documenting the process, see any build done by Sir Edwardb (Paul B.), but at least we shot a bunch of unposted pictures and some fairly decent videos that can be used for possible future owners as reference material.

Walk Around Naked Cobra Pre-Start Video:
https://youtu.be/_wnHDNgnNqs

Graduation Video / Minus Windshield Wipers:
https://youtu.be/9WEe6-wdNtA

On a personal note, I don't want to sell the car... If that were ever the plan it would have been stuffed with a 427 Ford/Dart engine and not an engine that wears that Bow-Tie Brand (All Dart SBC 383) that I love so much.

Thanks Again & I'll Make My Decision To Keep Or Sell The Redbone Roadster By March 1st.

Steve

[GoDadGo]

I am no longer considering selling the Redbone Roadster.
This car has a lot of my heart, soul, and personality.
Hopefully, we'll drive it into our golden years.
That is of course me & Mrs. Go-Dad!

NOTE: ..I'll be asking that this thread be closed.

[David Hodgkins]

Closed by request of OP.

:)