Just when you think you've got your ride at the point where there is nothing more you can do to it, you will always find something else to do to it. Maybe it was Confucius who first said it (or, maybe not), or maybe it's one of those axioms of Murphy's Law, but car guys just can't leave well enough alone.
Joseph and Lynne Nassef of Highland, California (near San Bernardino), owned a Cobra kit back in the '80s, which was originally sold by a company that is no longer is existence. Joseph got rid of that car and, after the regularities of life (marriage, career, kids, home, etc.) were all taken care of, he decided he'd like to have another turn at owning a Cobra replicar. After doing a lot of research, Joseph settled on Shell Valley as his choice for his new ride, having liked the way the company treated him on the phone, answering all of his concerns and questions.
Joseph bought his kit and began building it, as well as formulating what the drivetrain would be, building the engine himself. The project was rolling along and, just when they were about ready to have the body mounted to the chassis, the Nassefs decided to take in the 2001 Run in the Sun event next to SoCal's Knott's Berry Farm.
When they arrived there were lots of cars, both finished and unfinished, as well as many manufacturer's booths. When they walked up to visit their friends in the Shell Valley display, they were immediately impressed with the company's demo ride, a pearl tangerine Cobra. After talking to sales manager Rich Lacy and company president Rich Anderson, the Nassefs liked what they heard and worked out a mutual agreement to give up their nearly finished ride (Joseph would keep only his wheels) in trade for the bright Cobra they so both loved.
There are five different ways you can get a Cobra from Shell Valley (depending on your intended level of involvement in the build process), but their top-of-the-line level is the aptly named "Ultimate" kit. The only things missing are the drivetrain, battery, some hoses, and paint. All of the Ultimate 427 Cobras come with a rectangular tube chassis, tubular A-arm independent front suspension, a narrowed 9-inch rear with NASCAR-style four-link suspension, all necessary trim pieces (windshield frame, mirrors, hood prop, etc.), and all of the interior pieces, from seats to carpet.
In the case of the demo car, everything from the engine (a 302 topped with GT-40 aluminum heads and a pair of Edelbrock 550-cfm carbs) to paint (a House of Kolor Pearl Sunset), gauges (white-face VDO) to upholstery (tan Naugahyde) were already done. All Joseph and Lynne needed to do is put the key in the ignition and go, which is exactly what they did!
But, just like any car guy out there, Joseph couldn't leave his ride alone, and changed a few items on it to make the vehicle their own. But he wasn't the only one wanting modifications. Lynne, being safety conscious, wanted a second hoop added to the rear deck, which Joseph wisely did. Though Joseph had built the motor in his last car, he was content on making only a few improvements under the hood on the new car, namely the aforementioned twin carb set-up as well as a pair of 1.7:1 ratio rockers and tall rocker covers. Exterior additions (besides the twin hoops) include a third brake light (located under the rear trunk), while the future plans may include a pair of Yates aluminum heads and a solid lifter roller cam.
As most kit owners know, you just can't keep a good car guy (or gal) down, and it seems the Nassefs will probably be tinkering with their tangerine hot rod for as long as they own it, but they're happy with the fact they skipped a few steps in order to jump right into the driver's seat and head on down the road, which is what we all would like to do!