Daily driving #226: Don't you own a normal car?

[JeffG-4633]

Up until two months ago my daily driver was a '90 GT sporting a nicely built 331 stroker with a slew of suspension and brake mods. It was way down on oil pressure and desperately needs to be painted. I needed a reliable car to drive in the interim while the car gets painted and the running gear freshened up.

Daily drive for me is a 120 mile round trip in Southern California freeway traffic on 3 different freeways. Not the best thing to subject any car to. Logic and common sense would have me heading to the local dealership and selecting the latest fuel efficient, boringmobile that is sure to lose 50% of its value as soon as the tires hit the street.

Never being the brightest bulb on the Christmas tree I decided to buy another Cobra and use that for the daily commute. Enter #226: a 52k original mile car in nice condition with an old-school B&M supercharger. Just what the doctor ordered.

Two months later I have zero regrets. My daily commute is even more enjoyable than it was with the GT, the cobra takes every mile whether its at full gallop or the evening crawl. She sits just shy of 60k on the odometer and returns 20mpg no matter how far my foot sinks into the carpet.

The other day at work one of the guys approached me and asked in a confused way "Don't you own any normal cars?"

I kinda thought I did.

[Z282SLO]

Nice story! A supercharged Cobra is most definitely a thoroughly enjoyable way to motor on down the road.

[bill1024]

Nice story! A supercharged Cobra is most definitely a thoroughly enjoyable way to motor on down the road.

Yes it is indeed.
I just ordered a 3.33 pulley to replace the 3.60. should add a couple more ponies I do believe.

Theses cars are made to be driven and enjoyed.

[escogt]

Awesome story!!!

[93SVT_MN]

Very cool story. Cars are meant to be driven. Have fun!

[lukewood2]

I thought I was the only on in SoCal with a DD Cobra

[vuzikis]

Hey I am also in So Cal as well moved in 2013. Would like to see both of your cars sometime. I own #195.

[lukewood2]

Hey I am also in So Cal as well moved in 2013. Would like to see both of your cars sometime. I own #195.

Let's get a cruise going!

[Goose17]

Great story. I get a lot of enjoyment from driving my cars. I'm glad others share that mentality.

[JeffG-4633]

For the southern California folks - PM me and let's set up a drive. Not sure where you guys are located but maybe a morning cars & coffee trip.

Jeff

[lukewood2]

For the southern California folks - PM me and let's set up a drive. Not sure where you guys are located but maybe a morning cars & coffee trip.

Jeff

Done.

[JeffG-4633]

August, 2016 update.

Car just turned over 66,000 miles. That's 14,000 miles added since I bought her. She has truly been my only daily driver. The supercharger makes for nice merging and lane changing opportunities and results in lots of grins. Have seen only a few other Fox bodies of any style on my daily drive.

Only carnage: Alternator died (original 2G pos), replaced with a rebuilt NAPA (2G) piece. What a mistake.

Once the hellish summer weather hit, the 134 charged AC system just could not keep up - needed more airflow. I had a Ford Contour twin fan setup in my stash along with a spare 100 amp 3G alternator. A 3G plug swap, quick fan wiring session with three relays and a temp sensor, few custom brackets and I was sitting in the lap of air conditioned luxury. 3G is the way to go, the electric fan swap is oh so nice - I have electric fans and 3G's on all my other Mustangs so why should this be any different.

The car delivers 20mpg regardless of my left foot, runs fine on 91 octane, and takes everything I can throw at it. She does not get washed and detailed as much as she should but stays relatively clean for a daily driven black car. Don't tell anyone but she does not get the garage either.

My '90 GT is still in restoration mode so it will be another 20-30k worth of miles on the Cobra before she gets a break. Who cares. These cars were made to drive.

[lukewood2]

Awesome!

[Z282SLO]

The car delivers 20mpg regardless of my left foot, runs fine on 91 octane, and takes everything I can throw at it.

20mpg from a supercharged Cobra? It must be because of your left foot. Try using your right foot and pressing it closer to the floor more often! You're missing out.

[JeffG-4633]

Great idea on that right foot thing. No wonder I'm so contorted when I get to my destination.

Right foot gas - got it. Left foot for that other pedal thing right?