Rare GEM "in the ruff"?

[LabelleMike]

I recently purchased a house in a rural county (Labelle, FL). When the owners were moving out they offered a mustang to me because it was one of those projects that the wife didn't like because it sat so long in the garage. So now it continues to sit in my garage , he..,he... I am very much a mustang lover and had an 84 GT Conv that I still miss. I have done my research and everything matches my buck and vin# codes and proved its a 1979 Mustang Cobra with factory 5.0. Interior is great since it doesn't see sun. The motor is shot. I do have a 1978 motor to go back in. I am not looking to rule the roads with a 140hp motor, nor do I need to prove myself... I was surprised to find out there are about 7000 made for that year. How rare of a gem is it? not a rustang..Its in great shape....And would it be worth restoring? [/code]

[85 Notchback]

OMFG Yes!!! Very nice find!!! They are hard, very hard to come across one with buck tags and everything still intact.. do a search on Hissing Cobra his cobra will make you want to do nothing else but restore that car!

[negusm]

How "shot" is the motor?

-Mike

[madmike8]

http://www.foureyedpride.com/phpBB2/album_pic.php?pic_id=2134

Hissing's Cobra sure makes me want one....

[LabelleMike]

The engine, I was told by the previous owner, is locked up because his daughter drove it without oil. Its toast! I have started tearing it down. Not worth it. I have a engine from a 78 ford with only 25K on it. Lucked out on that too. It was in the way of this local farmer and he asked if I was interested in getting it out of his way. The motor came out of a 78 granada. I will not have to change much to slide it in.
I have a picture in my album of my cobra.

So far I have purchased parts online to restore to original condition. I think that is the ultimate respect to the designers of this vehicle. I will take the pride of reconditioning it. I appreciate everyone's input on what they think its worth restored to nice condition(not perfect).

I just want to cruise the town, not burn up the roads.

[negusm]

Sounds good. I like back to stock restorations. You're my kind of people.

:lol:

-Mike

[85 Notchback]

I just bolted my 78 Granada engine in... It's a PITA on some small things..

[Hissing Cobra]

Very nice! It's good to see another one, especially if you're going to restore it. Did your hoodscoop get repainted Black, or is that the original factory coloring? I'm only asking because all literature that I have seen states that they were painted with the body color. But, I have corresponded with other Cobra owners who say that their hoodscoops were painted black from the factory. Mine was painted Red, matching the body. Good luck with your buildup! ;)

[79 cobra]

Cool . Another one has surfaced .

Looks like a aluminum front bumper on the ground , in front .

[LabelleMike]

Yeah, the front bumper is completely aluminum. I have seen conflicting reports that they carried steel bumpers. This is all original condition except the air conditioning compressor is missing and sadly all but one cobra emblem including interior. Those I have learned are hard to get! Thanks for the info guys.....

[joelliott]

Sorry for my astonishment, but Im from Labelle too! 1 in a million chance 2 people here are from Hendry co.! Where is your house? I live in Port Labelle by the highschool out in the woods.. Im in the process of workin on my black 85gt. We have to meet up sometime at Flora and Ellas or something. Id love to look at your 79 cobra! Good luck with it too! Cant wait to hear back form you. man this is really strange...
Joe E.

[LabelleMike]

That is too cool. I live on the north side of the SR29 bridge. That is shocking! This town is not that big.....TOO COOL! Would really like to meet ya!

[joelliott]

What road do you live on? I use to go to church over on that side of the bridge. Been around there quite a bit.
Id be great to meet up sometime. my stangs nothing fantastic, but its just neat that another stanger here lives in Labelle. Im in Gainesville Tuesday-Thursdays. But in labelle the rest of the week.
Well man, talk to you later...
Joe E.
also how do you like Labelle? Ive been there for about 15 yrs. But its growing like a weed now.

[PvtJoker]

Damn, I wish I could get that lucky, but know god pisses on me when it rains. Great car man. Nice to meet you.

[joelliott]

Good luck in the hurricane LabelleMike. here near the highschool, were just startin to get beat by winds rain. Stay safe...
Joe E.

[LabelleMike]

Thanks Bud,
Thing got ruff last night. Running on generators now until winds die down. Small roof damage, But no MUSTANG DAMAGE! Hang in there too!
Everyone else reading this message, dont forget the unfortunate, If you can donate anything that someone would be greatful to receive, PLEASE GIVE. These people lost homes, jobs, and loved ones......Be good guys!

[joelliott]

Good to hear from yu Mike. Glad you came out ok. We did pretty good too. Lost all phone power tv etc about midnight and got it back about 3pm. Our house was rockin too. Our front door was slammin but didnt go thanks to our deadlocks. We have alittle roof damage mainly shingles. And alot of tree stuff. Our new boat shed (replaced from Hurricane Charley 3 weeks ago) is gone again. Top totally pulled off. Our neighbors trampoline was in our yard! And its a hike from them to here. No Mustang damage tho. Excpet I waxed it about 1 hour before the weather hit. That was pointless! haha. But all is well. And AC is back on! yeah. have fun cleanin up. be safe!
Joe E.

[LabelleMike]

Hey Joe, Things all good over near ya? E-mail me @ LabelleFL69@aol.com

[joelliott]

Yup. All is well. Just college, hanging out, and working on the mustang. Finally some cooler weather to get outside in. I got my machI chin spoiler on this weekend and it looks damn good. Tryong to figure out speaker bug right now. I just cant drive without some type of music to cruise to. I have 1 speaker out of 4 right now! haha pitiful.

How are things on your end? How the stang? My email is joelliott82@hotmail.com
Lets get together one of these weekends and talk stangs. Ill shot you a email too. later.
Joe E.

[F8LBITE79]

From the looks of the car, your starting with a pretty easily restorable exterior. Yes, the 79 Cobra is a rare car though those of us who have them will probably never get rich from selling our 79's. As Hissing Cobra can attest, the 79 cobra is noticed and admired by almost every person who sees them. When i went to the 40th anniversary, there was not 1 single 79 Cobra at the show and only about 8 1979's(coupe,turbo,and pacecar). Thats out of around 6000 Mustangs at the show.(RARE CAR)
It would be nice to see yours restored to concoure because it is the same color and style that was pictured in the 1979 Mustang sales brocure from the dealer.

[LabelleMike]

Appreciate the input. Thats seems to back up my thoughts. Good to met another stang lover