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Author
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Topic: Who makes the best AC Cobra kit ?
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Perk 351C
Journeyman Posts: 68
From: Cape Neddick Me USA
Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 12-13-2003 05:57 PM
 
I see there are many Cobra kit car manufacturers these days,who makes the best? Perk
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SteveLaRiviere
Administrator Posts: 48752
From: Saco, Maine
Registered: May 99
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posted 12-22-2003 11:50 AM
It's probably hard to beat Factory Five, they do it on such a large scale they must have most of the kinks ironed out by now.------------------
'70 Mustang Mach 1 351C 4V/FMX/3.25 Open
'70 Mustang Convertible 250 I6/3 speed/2.79 Open
'72 Mustang Sprint Coupe 351C 4V/FMX/4.30 Trac Loc
'94 F-150 XL 5.8L/E4OD/3.55 Limited Slip
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Daniel Jones
Gearhead Posts: 972
From: St. Louis, MO
Registered: Aug 99
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posted 12-22-2003 10:35 PM
The Factory Fives are a good value for the money but there a
number of nicer kits out there. Because they are relatively inexpensive and use a donor Fox Mustang, a lot of the Factory
Fives are built on a low budget and it shows. "Best" depends
upon what you are after. Some guys want them to be absolutely authentic, others are after the best bang for the buck, others
are looking for the best race set up. A number of the kits are
only available as rollers, essentially completed vehicles to
which you add your choice of engine and transmission. For my money, the best Cobra replica out there is the aluminum
body, stainless steel chassis, Kirkham. The fiberglass
Superformance Cobras from South Africa are only available as
rollers and are very nice. They've been so successful that
Shelby has moved his fiberglass CSX4000 production to South
Africa (Capetown Advanced Vehicles), as well. Dan Jones
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65Cobra
Journeyman Posts: 13
From: Mesa, Arizona, USA
Registered: Aug 2004
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posted 08-27-2004 06:49 PM
It all depends on you, what you want, how much you want to spend and if you plan to build it yourself or have someone else do it for you. There are options for all the above and more.As a Cobra owner I suggest you do some homework and visit some of these sites: http://www.ffcobra.com http://www.cobracountry.com/home2.html http://www.backdraftracing.com/ http://www.uniquemotorcars.com/ Your friend,
"Doc" ------------------
Visit my '65 Shelby GT350R site:
http://jmichael.info/SHELBY.htm
and my latest '65 427 S/C BDR Cobra
http://jmichael.info/65Cobra.htm NASA Member #117750
ProAutoSports Member
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cobrajeff
Journeyman Posts: 38
From: White Lake, MI, USA
Registered: Sep 2004
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posted 10-02-2004 10:49 AM
No doubt about it: ERA 
 Seriously, you will find that most replica owners will recommend whatever brand they happen to own. Shelby and Kirkham certainly make VERY nice cars, but, before you plunk down that kind of money, you might want to look in your local "Yellow Pages" and compare how many body shops advertise the ability to do work on aluminum cars vs. fiberglass cars. Yep, aluminum is more "original", but fiberglass is certainly easier to maintain. The best kit for you depends on your budget and how you intend to use the car. You might want to check out "clubcobra", which is an Internet group not aligned with any particular manufacturer. CobraCountry is a good place to look for cars for sale, clubcobra is a good place to find out about the cars and different manufacturers. Good luck in your search! regards, cobrajeff
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SteveLaRiviere
Administrator Posts: 48752
From: Saco, Maine
Registered: May 99
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posted 10-02-2004 06:28 PM
Nice!  ------------------
'70 Mustang Mach 1 351C 4V/FMX/3.25 Open
'70 Mustang Convertible 250 I6/3 speed/2.79 Open
'72 Mustang Sprint Hardtop 351C 4V/FMX/4.30 Trac Loc
'94 F-150 XL 5.8L/E4OD/3.55 Limited Slip
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Fastymz
Moderator Posts: 22791
From: Reno Nv M&M #1240
Registered: Apr 2001
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posted 10-02-2004 07:45 PM
I'd like to have a Cobra one day. I know there is no way I could afford to buy one done already. So what kinda of cost is there in doing a kit car, VS buying one already done ?I've loved these cars since I could say the word Ford.  Any advice would be great. CobraJeff, thats an awesome ride. ------------------
SCOOP oddly obsessed with big scoops on little Mustangs 65 coupe,351w,C4,Big Boss 429 hood scoop,8" 3.40 TracLoc. My Pics
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Fastymz
Moderator Posts: 22791
From: Reno Nv M&M #1240
Registered: Apr 2001
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posted 10-02-2004 07:49 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Daniel Jones:
The Factory Fives are a good value for the money but there a
number of nicer kits out there. Because they are relatively inexpensive and use a donor Fox Mustang, a lot of the Factory
Fives are built on a low budget and it shows. "Best" depends
upon what you are after. Some guys want them to be absolutely authentic, others are after the best bang for the buck, others
are looking for the best race set up. A number of the kits are
only available as rollers, essentially completed vehicles to
which you add your choice of engine and transmission. Dan Jones
I'd be more after the look of a Cobra, more set up for drag racing and street and road running fun. I like the idea of a stroker 351w has to be a stick, loud with a loppy cam. ------------------
SCOOP oddly obsessed with big scoops on little Mustangs 65 coupe,351w,C4,Big Boss 429 hood scoop,8" 3.40 TracLoc. My Pics
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cobrajeff
Journeyman Posts: 38
From: White Lake, MI, USA
Registered: Sep 2004
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posted 10-15-2004 09:00 AM
There is an awful lot of competition in the Cobra market these days. That has led to a saturation point in the "used" Cobra market. You might be pleasantly surprised at how much car you can get buying used vs. building your own.The cheapest kits are usually advertised around $10k, but, don't be fooled, they are very incomplete, and often require lots of fabrication. Most guys will end up spending $25k-$30k before they finish. They end up with a live-axle small-block car that may not really satisfy their appetite. For just a little more, you might be able to find a gently used higher end model with an FE or IRS. Here's a peek under the hood of mine:  Take your time, visit clubcobra and CobraCountry, and ask lots of questions. regards,
cobrajeff
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Fastymz
Moderator Posts: 22791
From: Reno Nv M&M #1240
Registered: Apr 2001
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posted 10-15-2004 09:31 PM
Jeff, that motor must sound awesome. I'd look into a used one first when I'm ready. It'll be a few years yet, my kids are just now getting into there teens.  Money is flowing out fast and not towards a new car for dad. ------------------
SCOOP oddly obsessed with big scoops on little Mustangs 65 coupe,351w,C4,Big Boss 429 hood scoop,8" 3.40 TracLoc. My Pics
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Mr Vids
Journeyman Posts: 83
From: Flint,MI USA
Registered: Feb 2003
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posted 01-03-2005 05:14 PM
Scoop, what about building a Cobra and turning the trunk into a rumble seat for the kids? That's my thoughts on making it a four seater!
Mike
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SteveLaRiviere
Administrator Posts: 48752
From: Saco, Maine
Registered: May 99
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posted 01-05-2005 09:13 AM
The weight over the rear axle would help it hook up, too!  ------------------
'70 Mustang Mach 1 351C 4V/FMX/3.25 Open
'70 Mustang Convertible 250 I6/3 speed/2.79 Open
'72 Mustang Sprint Hardtop 351C 4V/FMX/4.30 Trac Loc
'94 F-150 XL 5.8L/E4OD/3.55 Limited Slip
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427Fastback
Gearhead Posts: 530
From: N.Vancouver.B.C
Registered: Jan 2005
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posted 01-19-2005 02:32 PM
I built Cobras for two different companys in the late 80s and early 90s.I was always impressed with ERA,i thought they had the best glass bodied car you could get.Not sure if its still the same company but i drove a Cobra that was brought over as a rolling chassis from S/Africa.It was much nicer than i expected.I am sure having a 511SVO Ford under the hood didnt sway me much.....------------------
68 Fastback 427MR 4 spd.Owned since 77.Deluxe interior,8000 tach,140 speedo,am/fm,tilt.
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whiteknight289
Gearhead Posts: 1391
From: Wheaton, IL, USA
Registered: Mar 2004
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posted 01-22-2005 01:21 PM
SCOOP
If you're great at scrounging for deals and can do the work yourself..including paint...you could maybe do a Factory Five for $15k-20k. The kit starts at $11k plus feight and any extras you want. Then you get a 5.0 donor car and that's all you need..the kit and the donor and you have everything. They use the mustang engine, trans, rear end, wiring, computer, everything. And it all bolts up, no welding or fabricating. I had a '93 donor for $1200 ready to go back in '97, I used the kit money for a business instead. Would still like to do one of theirs someday.
Scott ------------------
66 Silver Frost GT Hardtop, A- code
66 Raven Black convertible, C-code
95 Black GT convert, Cobra clone
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