Looking for advice on selling a Cobra

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mik1

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Hi folks - I live in the Lake of the Ozarks area and have a Cobra replica that I have owned since I built it about 15 years ago. I have decided to sell the car and am looking for suggestions on how much to ask and how to sell it. It is a Shell Valley body with a 400 cu in Chevy (sorry) engine, Muncie close ratio 4 speed manual transmission and 9" Ford rear end. It isn't a tricked out, fancy car, but is solid, a ball to drive, and very low miles. When it stops raining here, I'm going to get some fresh pictures.

I have a friend that "is interested" but I have no idea where to price it and frankly kinda doubt that deal will happen, so will likely be looking for a way to sell it. There is little market for such a car here at the lake. Of course there are a number of ways to advertise it, such as Wheeler Dealer, craigslist.com, and ebay. Does anybody have any other ideas or opinions about any of these methods? I'm not looking forward to the gawkers with no money I have gotten in the past from a Wheeler Dealer ad, and craigslist has messages plastered all over their site about buying locally, which is a very limited market for me. What about brokers that sell your car for you, perhaps on ebay?

I first heard about your club when I ran into a few of the Gateway Cobra Club members when they were on a cruise to the lake a couple years ago. Great bunch of guys and some awesome cars. I wish I lived closer to St Louis so I could join in the fun.

Any help would be appreciated.
Mike
 
CobraCountry.com is a website that lists Cobras for sale. Check them out. They get a bunch of traffic. That site may also be a good reference for your price point. Also, you may be able to consign it to some of the classic car dealers around Springfield. Here in STL you could choose to consign with Fastlane Classic Cars, or Motoexotica.

Finally, with the age of the build and that Chevy engine - I would guess that the price point will be surprisingly low. Putting it in Wheeler Dealer, ebay, and Craigslist may be equally effective. Your price point will get a wider array of lookers (i.e. younger folks) and may make for a quicker sale.

BTW - we met on that cruise. You're the neighbor to the guy that lives here - right?

IMG_0254.JPG
 
Mike,
My car is also in that pic. Along with Stl Mark. My suggestion is post some pics here(exterior, interior engine, etc.) don't worry about how good they look the guys here can tell what you have. These guys are great and this group will help set realistic expectations. From there, you have a lot of options.

Brandon
 
Value?

Mike,
Maybe not what you'll want to hear but close to reality:

Take a look at the current cost of a Shell Valley kit. That is probably pretty close to what you can get for the car.

When a Cobra has a Chevy motor in it, they typically discount the motor 100% since many would take it out and replace it with a Ford motor, therefore it is considered little to no value.

A guy buying a kit would have to pay what Shell Valley is asking for their kit. Unfortunately, unless your car has some very desirable feature, you aren't going to recapture any of your labor. There may be something that would over-ride this, ie, specialized drag car, certain types of collectible builds - ie those approaching museum quality or original type replicas. The cost of your paint/tires/transmission probably would be over-ridden by any depreciation.

Add to all of this, the current market for Cobra replicas is down-right ugly.

Again, not things you will want to hear but things that will definitely affect how much you can get from your car.

On the plus side, the car is done, drivable and the season is upon us. Get it out every chance you get with a For Sale sign on it. Use the impulse buy factor to your advantage.

Paul
 
Thanks to all who replied. I really appreciate all your comments and I don't mind your staightforward opinions.

Yes Mark, you hit it on the head, I'm the guy living next door to that little bungalow on the lake. Hi y'all.

Sorry I haven't been able to get back on here sooner, but some stuff came up. I'm going to get some pictures today and post them for you guys so you can better see what I've got.

Mike
mcstan2@hotmail.com
 
OK, I survived the storms that just passed through the area. About as dark as I have seen it at 3PM for a long time. I hope no one was hurt.

I uploaded some pictures to the gallery. I would appreciate hearing what y'all have to say about the car, if the pictures will help. A relative of mine who is a pro photographer said it is better to take my pictures of a car when it is cloudy or else around dusk. I don't know about that, some of them are kinda dark and won't show as much as I would like. Let me know if there is other info or other photos that would be of some help.

Mike
 
I must say that I am impressed. I've heard and seen horror stories from Shell Valley. The pictures show quite the contrary. I don't see any wavyness in the body. The panels (hood, doors & trunk) all fit good. The interior is clean and laid out pretty good. The engine bay is butt ugly with that cheby :D Just kiddin'. Was this an assembled car when you got it or assembled by you? Paint done by a professional? The tires look brand new, size? Comparing to factory five prices, maybe something in the $22k -$28k.

Anyone else?
 
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I completely understand Paul's comments, but there is definately something to be said for having the car completed. I would think low 20's. I would also say the sell should come from something less traditional than we all offer(Cobra Country, FFR, etc.). I think your car will fetch a bit more from someone that is a "hot rod" enthusiast not a Cob#a die hard. I am thinking autotrader, wheels and deals, etc.

Brandon
 
I built this car myself, and I can't argue with negative comments about Shell Valley bodies. Their new ones are probably better, but I spent a LOT of hours block sanding and filling, block sanding and filling (I'm not a pro - I made a LOT of sanding dust, there must have been a gallon of filler I swept off the floor, way more than was left on the body), then fitted the doors, hood and trunk lid (they were not mounted when I bought it) with a compass to get a consistent gap all around - at least they were all a little oversize so they were easy to trim to fit. I had the final sand, paint, and buff done by a pro. The paint is lacquer so it doesn't have the crystal sparkle like a clear coat, but came out pretty nice.

I made my own dashboard, using Jaeger gauges from a late 60s Triumph, and I think they look perfect for the car. I almost wish I had left the radio out, though. You can't hardly hear it over the exhaust, and the exhaust note sounds a lot better than the radio anyway

The tires are 225-70x15 and 295-50x15. There are about 950 miles on the odometer, 500 or so shy of actual because of a drive gear failure in the tranny (now corrected), so the tires look pretty much new.
 
CHEVY horsepower

Now this is true horse power CHEVY!!!! If still want to sell give me a call,,:D Danny at Winners Circle Auto. 618-259-4000
 
I say go for it Danny and don't listen to the people the are jealous of Chevy power!
 
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