[Turnips]

Firstly, apologies on the long post. I've been trying to dig through here the last few days and found a few interesting things, but still haven't quite come to a conclusion. Briefly, I want to build a car, so turnkey/used/currently built are out. If funds don't permit then I'm hoping to do a restore job as a backup, but I like the idea of building something from nothing better.

My car requirements are as follows (I'll go into a bit more detail later):
- daily driver
- (relatively) comfortable
- roof
- a/c
- abs/traction control (preferable but not req)
- windows that work (if fitted)
- boot space enough for weekend trips
- not an old man's car/penis extension/overtly showy (like say the corvette stingray is)
- decent resale (not that I plan on selling it but circumstances change and it's always best to have something that sells for more if you have to)
- Cheap (obviously :P)
- easy to build

So basically I want a car that I'll use, not one that will just sit in the shed gathering dust.

A roof (or the ability to have) would be great so I can drive it to work in the rain, or drive it home from work after it's rained without getting wet. Now I know there are options for hard/soft tops for cobras but I've no idea who makes them for what car, in my readings here each manufacturer is completely different so that's a big concern. If I go cobra route I'd want a lemans style hardtop, otherwise there's always the daytona or dare I mention it on a cobra forum, something else?

Comfort is fairly easy as suspension settings and seats can be easily adjusted and most kits come with options for a/c, also fitting stereos etc shouldn't be too difficult.

abs traction control I know DRB have the ability to do this but I'm not sure if any other manufacturers do.

Windows, yes I know cobra's dont have windows, however if I'm driving it with a lemans top, or driving a daytona then i want windows that can work, not just merely there to allow you to open the damn door. I want a (semi) practical car so ideally it'll be good enough to go through a drive through. Speaking to Warwick of Harrison his daytona has tiny sliding windows and he reckons I could easily spend 5k to develop winding windows, or i could spend the extra 40k over his kit and get a superformance, that i don't get to build myself, which is kind of the point of the entire exercise.

boot space, well both cobra and daytona have enough to go on a weekend away so that shouldn't be an issue.

now here's probably the biggest issue, the old mans penis extension part. Now it could be argued quite convincingly that the cobra isn't really an extension type car, but they do have the 'old man' stereotype where the driver is grey with his driving cap on. I must admit partly the reason why I'm slightly more inclined to go the daytona route, at least here in Aus it seems a car that a younger driver could get away with driving more, however I'm still unconvinced that it isn't just a little "showy". Cobra, especially without side pipes looks much more "normal" (if much more dated). Although I suppose regardless of what kit i end up buying, they'll all to a certain extent be like that just because they aren't just another commodore or falcon.

Resale, obviously in aus a blue cobra with white stripes is the way to go. Will outsell any other colour and any other cobra is much more likely to sell than a daytona. Other types/styles of kit like the 540 or any non replica are going to be harder to sell and their value is likely to reflect this.

Price, well this is always a concern however I (to a certain) extent understand the costs. Everyone seems to say you can get a decent street kit for 50-60k up, so my aim is to get one for 60 (which means it'll probably end up costing 80. Also other hidden ongoing costs like insurance should be considered, although I've no idea how much (if at all) it varies for different types of kits. Now cost is directly related to the final concern which is...

easiness to build. An easier to build kit will take less time, require less custom components etc. Now less time is only a concern in the sense that a faster build means more money now (rather than be able to "save" as I go), but a longer build has concerns like its a big daunting job that'll never get finished and life circumstances are more likely to change in the middle of the build. I do like (to a certain extent) the idea of a complete kit, so much less thinking to do and everything is right there, however again to a certain extent, this is less building MY car and more assembling someone else's. yes I can always buy another set of gauges or carpet etc but then you've got two sets and didn't really get the choice about anything you actually care about.

Last year I went up to qld and visited a couple of manufacturers, Harrison and DRB I remember and was most impressed by Warwick and if I were to go a daytona i'm quite likely to buy through him, however reading this forum someone bought a factory 5 daytona and I believe did the right hand drive conversion etc themselves. I've forgotten who he was and if anyone could point me in the right direction I've got numerous questions regarding that process as it may open the doors to other types/styles of kits. Now Peter from DRB mentioned that his cobras can be basically assembled from parts harvested from a single wreck, this is why he was able to produce the cobra with ABS etc. I'm wondering if similar is possible with other kits as this is likely to help keep costs down as well as wondering how much additional time, knowledge and skill is required for the build. Currently I have no tools (obviously needs to change) and have next to no mechanical experience, let alone any fabrication experience so any kits that require lots of drilling etc not so good for me (rumor has it that classic revival cars require a lot of work like this).

So in summary, I want to build a (relatively) cheap car that's usable just like every other car only this one gives me the satisfaction of "i built this". Oh and before anyone suggests some of the body kit conversions (eg classic revival datsun to ferrari, or the MR2 to ferrari), firstly the 240z is quite the looker as she is, secondly if she looks like a ferrari or lambo she better go like one!

(wow just hit preview, this is really quite long isn't it, so umm thanks for reading it and double thanks for any comments/advice)