What We're Working On: Featuring Chuck's '66 Cobra

Next up, is Chuck and his '66 AC Cobra Replica. As a public service announcement, you should know that all the dust in the pictures below was caused from an overabundance of missing and/ or lacking "eat my dust" opponents. This is what happens when a mean machine sits still for too long.

From Chuck:

I originally bought the '66 AC Cobra Replica in March of 2005 from Lone Star Cobras out of Fort Worth, Texas, now known as Ultimate Classic Cars. I'm currently starting the second rebuild for the car following the floods of Hurricane Katrina. After a 15 year hiatus, it was time for the Cobra to tear up some rubber, so I started the

second restoration in the later half of 2019.

I've owned quite a few cars in my day, including Mustangs, Camaros, all the way to a Track Funny Car, but there's just something about the Cobra. When I was younger (much younger), I watched a movie called "The Gum Ball Rally" which featured the Cobra. Once I saw it, that was it! I was hooked on the car. Now here I am 40 years later, building the car that lit the fire in me.

The great part of working on this second restoration is having the capability to make a few upgrades with new equipment and accessories. My plans for the car include lots of power, while maintaining a light weight. Specifically, powered by SBC 400ci stroked to 406, with a Tremic TKO five speed manual transmission and 9" Ford rear suspension.

You might say, I have a need for speed, but that may be putting it mildly. As for color choice and interior, that's still in the works, but I am considering the gunmetal gray that's on all the new Challengers. That's a topic for debate another day though. Right now, I'm just mocking everything up and making sure things fit as they should.

Currently, the chassis is done, and the engine is in the process of being looked over. The next phase includes work on the transmission and getting that into place. After that, and of course finalizing color and interior, it will be just little odds and ends to get it road ready. After years of waiting, I'm gladly to be making this amount of headway in such a short amount of time.

It's been a long time coming, and I can see the progress, which makes the itch for finishing it even worse. Most of all, I'm looking forward to burning the rubber clean off the rims once it's all said and done.