There are a lot of nice cars I’ve admired over the years, but none have pulled at me enough to want to buy them. I’m too pragmatic. I have a stock 4x4 pickup (that’ll stay stock) and my wife has a Subaru Outback… both very useful, reliable, and practical vehicles. I also have a couple motorcycles. One is small and seldom used, but is the best tool for the job in certain occasional circumstances. And the other is a very large touring motorcycle that my wife and I have used to tour just about the whole country, and continue to do so. It’s what I tell my grandchildren is my dream vehicle (and it is). I do cherish it and I’ll keep it for whatever time I have left. All that being said, if I had the spare money just laying around, and the garage space, if I were to buy any vehicle (again, money being no object), it would be a Cobra replica like yours. Yeah, there’d be a difference or two, but basically the same thing. And in blue. To me, that’s always been the best color for the Cobra. I’ve always had a special admiration for the Cobra going back over 50 years since I was about 10. I’ve appreciated many cars, though that little voice in my head would always say “…yeah, but it’s not a Cobra.” Such a beautiful roadster.
I was right!!! I remember when you first announced you were getting this without actually saying the exact type of care, my instant reaction was “Dudes getting my dream car, I just know it” and sure enough, here is the beauty her self! I still have the email I sent from back then(as proof I'm not talking out my 'ass'et)
I LOVE your Cobra! I have a Factory 5 Mark III that is basically the same color scheme. It has a fuel injected 5 liter from a 95 Mustang GT. I put a fabric top on it that actually looks pretty good and breaks up the wind really well. It's a blast to drive and I LOVE the sound of those side pipes! The most fun is seeing the faces of all the men when they see a little old lady get out of the drivers seat of a Cobra!
Back in the day... I used to have a '74 Mustang ("Pinto Pony" - small econo size car) with a V8 in it. I would go out on Woodward Ave, tuck my long hair into a ball cap and race boys. After I'd win, I would pull off the cap and let my hair down - they got beat by a girl! And most guys were VERY embarrassed! 😂
Steve, thank you for the ride, such fun! Drove an original Shelby Cobra back in the early 60's. One of my college jobs was working at a classic car dealer and they asked me to drive the Cobra from Chicago to St. Louis. Weather turned bad, detour off of the motorway and very hard clutch. By the time I arrived at the dealership my left leg was worn out and I was a imping, sopping wet mess. Almost caught pneumonia, but still treasure every moment of that day.
Awesome car, Steve, thanks for the ride along. Twenty years ago, I worked for a company where one of the owners had an original Cobra. He’d drive it to work a few times each summer. I’m a bit surprised that the coyote v8 will fit in the engine compartment, what with the size of the cam covers. 👍
I love the colors that you picked. I like red cars, but blue with white stripes is the right color for your Cobra. As for waiting a year after ordering, that's how long it took to get my 2021 Bronco. It was a full year minus two days when I took delivery after placing the official order, and that was after another six months of being on the waiting list to place an order. Some cars are worth the wait.
Lotta great info on your new prize- a great buy from the sound of it! One stat you didn't give- The important one- how many smiles per hour does she get? Enjoy it your way, Steve!
Beautiful car, Steve! A word of warning: if it hasn't already happened, make sure you pay _very close attention_ when exiting the car! Those pipes are HOT! A friend had a Factory 5 replica, and he let me drive it. When I got home, when I put my leg out to exit, the pipe jumped out and *bit* me! It took a full year for the burn to finally heal. BTW, I have no issue with having an automatic. They're faster, and just easier to live with.
Some people say, STEVE ! Lets go get a hamburger. Always yearned for the cobra since reading a story in a magazine in 79 describing the experience, the sound of crackling hot pipes after shutting it off.
I remember many days of cruising the back roads in Michigan in my Miata. Not the most practical thing at all for Michigan, given the amount of dry days, and the snow on the roads for practically half the year.
If I was going to buy a Cobra that is how I would order it. If you ever get to California Bay area you need to checkout the Cobra Experience in Martinez, CA. It's a museum of Cobra's, Shelby Mustangs and Tigers. The docents that give you the tours are owners and some even raced Cobras including Gordon Gimbel
Sweet ride Steve! I've been on the fence for ordering one. Know the specs and color I would choose. Just haven't pulled the trigger. What are those controls under the tach?
Steve, you gotta find some twisties to really enjoy the car. Driving on a straight road in a Cobra is like kissing your old aunt. I live in New England where doing 35 on some roads is really pushing it. I've had 3 Miatas and I'm on my second GR86. Life is too short for bad wine and dull cars. Enjoy! Enjoy!
The Ford 302 is just a great engine. The Coyote package brings every horse to the race. Have you taken the Hickory Ridge, Commerce Rd, Pleasent Valley Rd loop around the GM test track? LOL
A 10 speed auto probably makes for a more fun drive since chances are there's a perfect gear for the conditions. A 6 speed manual will have to have tall gears so you're either over-revving the engine or lugging it because there's not enough ratios to play with. It's a huge problem with manual transmissions these days - there just isn't enough gears, while modern autos can have 8 to 12 gears to always have the perfect ratio to make the engine sing. Short of having manual gearboxes like a semi (which have 8, 10 or 18 gears) we have to live with the fact a modern car will be better paired with an automatic.
![1965 Backdraft Cobra | [4K] | REVIEW SERIES | "ROUSH 427 POWERED"](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/meX6x-zLSXY/mqdefault.jpg)
There are a lot of nice cars I’ve admired over the years, but none have pulled at me enough to want to buy them. I’m too pragmatic. I have a stock 4x4 pickup (that’ll stay stock) and my wife has a Subaru Outback… both very useful, reliable, and practical vehicles. I also have a couple motorcycles. One is small and seldom used, but is the best tool for the job in certain occasional circumstances. And the other is a very large touring motorcycle that my wife and I have used to tour just about the whole country, and continue to do so. It’s what I tell my grandchildren is my dream vehicle (and it is). I do cherish it and I’ll keep it for whatever time I have left.
All that being said, if I had the spare money just laying around, and the garage space, if I were to buy any vehicle (again, money being no object), it would be a Cobra replica like yours. Yeah, there’d be a difference or two, but basically the same thing. And in blue. To me, that’s always been the best color for the Cobra. I’ve always had a special admiration for the Cobra going back over 50 years since I was about 10. I’ve appreciated many cars, though that little voice in my head would always say “…yeah, but it’s not a Cobra.” Such a beautiful roadster.
I was right!!! I remember when you first announced you were getting this without actually saying the exact type of care, my instant reaction was “Dudes getting my dream car, I just know it” and sure enough, here is the beauty her self!
I still have the email I sent from back then(as proof I'm not talking out my 'ass'et)
I am a 60-year-old man who has been dreaming about this car literally for 40 years
I LOVE your Cobra! I have a Factory 5 Mark III that is basically the same color scheme. It has a fuel injected 5 liter from a 95 Mustang GT. I put a fabric top on it that actually looks pretty good and breaks up the wind really well. It's a blast to drive and I LOVE the sound of those side pipes! The most fun is seeing the faces of all the men when they see a little old lady get out of the drivers seat of a Cobra!
Back in the day...
I used to have a '74 Mustang ("Pinto Pony" - small econo size car) with a V8 in it.
I would go out on Woodward Ave, tuck my long hair into a ball cap and race boys.
After I'd win, I would pull off the cap and let my hair down - they got beat by a girl! And most guys were VERY embarrassed! 😂
I really love that there's no navigation or radio. Just you, the car and the open road.
Love your icense plate!
That is one beautiful car! Thanks for sharing it with us!
Long awaited, much appreciated.
A more refined beast than the original, it appears. 😎
Thanks for sharing your car with people. With us too.
Cool car Steve! 😎
Steve, thank you for the ride, such fun! Drove an original Shelby Cobra back in the early 60's. One of my college jobs was working at a classic car dealer and they asked me to drive the Cobra from Chicago to St. Louis. Weather turned bad, detour off of the motorway and very hard clutch. By the time I arrived at the dealership my left leg was worn out and I was a imping, sopping wet mess. Almost caught pneumonia, but still treasure every moment of that day.
Awesome car, Steve, thanks for the ride along. Twenty years ago, I worked for a company where one of the owners had an original Cobra. He’d drive it to work a few times each summer. I’m a bit surprised that the coyote v8 will fit in the engine compartment, what with the size of the cam covers. 👍
Absolutely gorgeous 😍
Nice ride! Always loved the Cobra, I'll never own or drive one but they are the coolest of cool. Enjoy the Sir Steve.
AWESOME, love it
Gorgeous car Steve!! I built a Lexus V8 powered Miata, automatic, so I can 100% relate to this.
Awesome video ... been waiting for it. I do hope to hear the rumble at some point. But glad to see it in action. Thanks for sharing the experience!
I love the colors that you picked. I like red cars, but blue with white stripes is the right color for your Cobra. As for waiting a year after ordering, that's how long it took to get my 2021 Bronco. It was a full year minus two days when I took delivery after placing the official order, and that was after another six months of being on the waiting list to place an order. Some cars are worth the wait.
Beautiful
What fun!
Lotta great info on your new prize- a great buy from the sound of it! One stat you didn't give- The important one- how many smiles per hour does she get? Enjoy it your way, Steve!
She is pretty. And I think she looks like a Lola.
Love it!
Beautiful car, Steve! A word of warning: if it hasn't already happened, make sure you pay _very close attention_ when exiting the car! Those pipes are HOT! A friend had a Factory 5 replica, and he let me drive it. When I got home, when I put my leg out to exit, the pipe jumped out and *bit* me! It took a full year for the burn to finally heal. BTW, I have no issue with having an automatic. They're faster, and just easier to live with.
Pipes have a cover that keeps you from touching the hot part as you exit.
Some people say, STEVE ! Lets go get a hamburger.
Always yearned for the cobra since reading a story in a magazine in 79 describing the experience, the sound of crackling hot pipes after shutting it off.
I bet if you said "Let's go for Ice Cream?" he'd DEFINITELY take you for a ride! 😂
I remember many days of cruising the back roads in Michigan in my Miata. Not the most practical thing at all for Michigan, given the amount of dry days, and the snow on the roads for practically half the year.
If I was going to buy a Cobra that is how I would order it. If you ever get to California Bay area you need to checkout the Cobra Experience in Martinez, CA. It's a museum of Cobra's, Shelby Mustangs and Tigers. The docents that give you the tours are owners and some even raced Cobras including Gordon Gimbel
Great Car and Video, I put it on full screen, the closest I'm gonna get to being in one !!!
have a great day, thanks for the view
Badass!!
"Do you know why I pulled you over?"
Because you wanted a selfie.
@stevelehto Thanks for the ride Steve! What are all those screws in the hood for?
Backdraft? Yeah. I haven't buttoned or zipped em up yet. But thanks for the directional info
I think that transmission helps accelerate faster than that of a human hand on a stick shift can manage.
NICE CAR STEEEEEVEEEE!
Sweet ride Steve! I've been on the fence for ordering one. Know the specs and color I would choose. Just haven't pulled the trigger. What are those controls under the tach?
Steve - work on something to pick up the exhaust a bit better - and I'm looking forward to a Tail of the Dragon video !
Wonder if took a trip to mis or gm test track with any of the cars
Steve, you gotta find some twisties to really enjoy the car. Driving on a straight road in a Cobra is like kissing your old aunt. I live in New England where doing 35 on some roads is really pushing it. I've had 3 Miatas and I'm on my second GR86. Life is too short for bad wine and dull cars. Enjoy! Enjoy!
Are you in Southern Mi? I worked a job up there once. I swear I know that road!
The Ford 302 is just a great engine. The Coyote package brings every horse to the race.
Have you taken the Hickory Ridge, Commerce Rd, Pleasent Valley Rd loop around the GM test track? LOL
A 10 speed auto probably makes for a more fun drive since chances are there's a perfect gear for the conditions. A 6 speed manual will have to have tall gears so you're either over-revving the engine or lugging it because there's not enough ratios to play with. It's a huge problem with manual transmissions these days - there just isn't enough gears, while modern autos can have 8 to 12 gears to always have the perfect ratio to make the engine sing. Short of having manual gearboxes like a semi (which have 8, 10 or 18 gears) we have to live with the fact a modern car will be better paired with an automatic.
I'd like to think my hundreds of thumbs up made this possible for you You're welcome.
Again, if you ever drive up to da UP eh, let me know and I'll meet you up there for ice cream, a pic and a RIDE! 😂
Are you over toward the western edge of the UP?
Whenever I see a Viper without the blue with white stripes, it looks wrong.
How do you get in and out without burning your legs
Carefully, very carefully.
Surprised that you haven’t gone all EV by now!
Where’s Mrs Lehto? 😉
I'm suprised you don't have a garage unit at M1
At 759 of the video the tachometer is not working showing no rpms
That car is tiny! With the button start how can you stop anyone jumping in and driving off, or do you never leave it anywhere?
It also has a key.