[Clois Harlan]

If you are in Oklahoma eventually a manufacturer will come up as a possible alternative located in a small town ACROSS THE STATE LINE northeast of Tulsa. Stay away from that guy, protect your investment and look at Backdraft, Hurricane, Factory Five, ERA, or maybe even Shell Valley or Superformance.

I see three levels of manufacturers: All in at $30,000.00 or all in at $45,000.00 or all in at more than $60,000.00. Sometimes you can spend more by initially spending less. Make a list of your must haves and what you are going to do with your car. Cruise, car shows, personal enjoyment, ocassional track days, or full out racing.

Don't skimp on brakes regardless of what you are going to do with your Cobra. Also, bigger is not always better. An FE engine looks great but they are not the only options for a Cobra. I have had both sb and bb in my Cobra and in my Daytona Coupe I have a 408 stroker that will run circles around my cobra and get about 8 more miles to the gallon on PUMP Gas (my 427 likes 110 octane at $8.00 gal).

Just some personal thoughts but it is your dream car so be sure to make it yours. Advise is good but you know what turns your head and two years from now don't wish you had done something else. The really good thing about these cars is that they don't depreciate too much as long as you don't put a Chevy in for power. Nothing wrong with Chevy but they don't belong in a Cobra.

Clois Harlan

Edit just for the record: I have built two kits by one manufacture, I have built one FFR Coupe, another Coupe, two Backdrafts, and one Hurricane. Helped on a few others including EM and Kirkham.