First Drive

[frankeeski]

Julie with her first time behind the wheel of the Roadster today. I always ask before we take off to go somewhere if she would like to take the wheel. After having the car registered and on the road for close to 4 years, today she said SURE!. She is a seasoned pro at driving a standard transmission so she did very well. Track days here we come!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fvb1coEO124&feature=plcp

[McObra]

Cool!

[MRSQSL]

That's awesome! Now send her over here. Two Julies in one roadster would be a blast. :)

[skullandbones]

Excellent! But does she enjoy driving it? It's hard to tell. Maybe she's concentrating. WEK.

[frankeeski]

Excellent! But does she enjoy driving it? It's hard to tell. Maybe she's concentrating. WEK.

She was a bit upset that I was filming her, she'll get over that. The way she had her foot in it, I'm sure she was enjoying herself.

[skullandbones]

That's cool! Sure wouldn't want to force someone to drive a hot race car against their will. Maybe she can crack a smile on the next one.

I didn't know you were so far along. Are you still driving in gel coat? I guess I lost track.

Thanks, WEK

[QSL]

congrats!!!

[Someday I Suppose]

Very cool! My wife doesn't know how to drive a manual transmission and Im not about to offer how to show her on the Cobra :-)

[jlfernan]

Very cool! My wife doesn't know how to drive a manual transmission and Im not about to offer how to show her on the Cobra :-)

Same with me. Every time she mentions it I change the subject!

http://img851.imageshack.us/img851/9124/jorge.jpg (http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/private.php?do=newpm&u=111)

[frankeeski]

I don't know if I should use the word "sympathize" with you guy or not. I (we) built the car to be as close to a modern production car as possible. And as much as my "Julie" did help with the build when I needed her to, she didn't have an active roll in the everyday assembly of the car like Mrs.QSL (Julie) did. Even with the close to 450 HP we expect from the new power-plant, I am going to be installing a clutch, that while sticky, is going to have a stock pedal feel. The car has full power disc brakes and ABS. The next upgrades will include power steering. While I would never suggest to anyone to teach a first time manual transmission driver in a Cobra, ours has been built for us both to enjoy and I believe that means for both drivers. Our plan at this point is to complete the Roadster and possibly move to a Coupe more fitted for the track. Following the lead of our friend Vnmsss (Karen Salvaggio), we have been tossing around the idea of building a Competition Coupe. Time will tell.

The hurtle is now behind Julie as she was really apprehensive about the shifter location and being able to find all of the gears. It came rather naturally for her and she did just fine. She is now excited about the car all over again and that is great to see. I look forward to her enjoying driving the car.

[Vicki1]

Nice going Julie and Frank. You two see your Cobra the way Victoria and I do. Though it is an iconic and classic style, it is still a car that also should be driven to be enjoyed. Victoria's daily driver is a stick 240SX she has had since '92. Her few times behind the wheel of our roadster (once at Willow Springs) reminded me of the phrase "no fear".

Though I have placed a coupe like Karen's high on my to do list, the pleasure, fun, recognition factor, thrill, and all of the above of driving one of these cars is almost beyond description. And there is no reason why all the adult members of any family shouldn't share in the ecstasy. All our children and their spouses have driven our roadster, many at speed on the track. These cars are way too much fun not to share with others that appreciate their history.

So stay behind the wheel, Julie. Maybe someday we will have the first "Wives Cobra Autocross" in front of your house.

John :D