My first car was a Duster, which rusted away. I saved the drivetrain for a kit Cobra (used the 340 with Thermoquad, Holley Dominator, pistol grip aluminum four speed, 3:55 in a 8 3/4 rear held on with a custom 3-link system.) I had the Cobra 13 years and won lots of AX events in the EMod class. I drove it whenever I could (~4500miles/yr) and it never failed me (except for an axle with the older 4" bolt circle that had redrilled for a 4.5" bolt circle. Stupid college kid, I was.) I sold it in 1998 for ~$26K with new paint. But, it had no AC, no radio, no roof, no windows, no females that would ride twice, lots of leg burns....
Enter Dodge's kit car, AKA Gen 1 Viper. Roof, AC, stereo, comfortable seats, windows, parts I could get at the store instead of junkyard, and just like Shelby's Cobra, it was the brute force approach to a sports car. I drive it 11 months a year, have put 70K miles on it (90K total) and have used those urges to play mechanic to find all the leaks, play with the brakes, lowered the suspension over the factory shocks.
I guess my point it that the Cobra, like any kit, was great fun but in hindsight had a limited usefulness. The Viper can be almost an everyday car if you aren't anal about keeping it like new and you won't lose any of the fun or performance. It makes going to work a highlight that too many reserve for the weekend.
or a VIPER the koolest car on the planet!!!!....
~~~~Good luck in your decision. ~juli
