[mrmustang]

While NAF built a nice kit in their time, they are outdated (as shown with the 351C powerplant, 11:1 compression is not what you would call street friendly, no way you'll keep it running cool with that compression at .030 over either. Especially not on pump gas, and we won't even talk about the 750cfm carb, which you would soon be replacing after you found out that bigger is not always better when it comes to them). Mustang II suspension, straight axle rear, HP overrated at 500HP, does the seller have a dyno sheet to prove this claim? Not to mention the 70K claimed investment. Clearly, this one you need to walk away from.

While we are on the HP subject, a simple 351W/385HP Ford crate engine can propel a sub 2,400lb cobra to a 11:08/115mph 1/4 mile on 17" street tires (I have the slip). Don't allow yourself to get caught up in the BIG HP wars with your friends (or your ego). Plus, 200HP is enough to kill you in one of these cars, regardless of whatever experience or ownership you have had in the past, it is not a Cobra and will not handle or behave as such. Respect from the second you walk out to the garage is what is required, as the car will try to kill you whether you respect it or not.


Now, let's talk about what you can get for your budget, a quality built Factory Five would be easy in the 28-35K range. At 40K you would have to wait till winter, and still search long and hard for an ERA or SPF that myself, or someone else like me did not snatch up first. If you want that type of quality, you'll need to cough up another $5-8K to be in the running. A Unique can be had, nice cars for the money. In fact the last I heard, the Weavers (owners of Unique) had a customers 427W powered car on the showroom for 35-38K....

Take the advice given earlier, read my "How to buy a used Cobra" primer, then take someone with you that knows these cars, the differences, and what to look for other than shiny bits and pieces and a nice looking paint job.


Bill S.

Originally Posted by steve286

Thanks for all the information. I guess I should not have said"kit" as that is not necessarily what I am looking for. I am open to a car that is not a kit car. My budget is around 25-40K. I am looking for a car to drive and have fun with. I want to buy a car that is already done as I feel they are the best deals plus I am not sure I have the skills to complete one on my own and do it right. I think the Kirkham kit is probably out of my budget.
There is one cobra I saw on ebay recently that did not sell that I know is in town. He is asking 39K. I have listed the ad below. Let me know your thoughts.

For sale is a beautiful, professionally built, 1965 A/C Cobra replica. The car has a fiberglass body that was manufactured by NAF. The car was completed in the late '90's but has only 3,550 documented miles on it. No expenses were spared on this car as I have all the receipts - in parts alone and paint work, well over $70K. Starting with the frame and all suspension components, epoxy primed and painted. Mustang II rack and pinion steering with sway bar. It features the following: Ford 351 Cleveland bored .030" over with modified Edelbrock aluminum heads, roller rockers, guide plates, APR hardware throught, Holley 750 double pumper, 2" custom headers, stage 3 rods, girdled mains, oil gallery meters, Keith Black pistons, 11:1 compression, runs on pump gas, Crower cam, mini high torque starter, March under drive pullys, polished aluminum water pump & altenator, Mildon 8 quart oil pan, high volume oil pump, Mildon blow proof bell housing, 11" clutch with 2300 lb? pressure plate, Tilton aluminum pedals, Tilton brake bias adjustment mounted on dash, Ford top loader 4 speed built by Dan Williams, parking brake mounted on drive shaft, fully adjustable coil over springs on all (4) corners, 9" Ford rear (narrowed) with new 3:50 posi gears & 31 spline axles built by Ron Moser, custom aluminum radiator built by Ron Davis, MSD ignition box, MSD Pro billet distributor, Edelbrock Air Gap intake that has been polished, AN fittings throught, 5 link Nascar rear end set up, custom full leather seats, (2) - 5 point seat belt harness, Wilton carpet, quick jack bumpers front and back, custom made tonue cover and MUCH more!

The car was scaled at 2350 LBS with driver & full tank of gas before the aluminum heads were changed from the cast iron ones. The entire car is 'wrapped' in .050" aluminum sheeting (including front compartment, trunk and complete underside). This is NOT a typical 'kit car' as each and every part of the car is basically 'hand built'. From the trunk, door and hood hinges to the custom radiator over flow container. Horsepower rated at approximately 500hp. Titled as a 1965 'Special Constructed Vehicle' in Arizona so no emission testing

It has 8" front and 10" rear - 3 piece Compmotive wheels that were imported from England so I was able to pick and choose the offsets.

This is a FAST...sweetheart of a car that is fast & turns heads everywhere it goes! I just do not use it enough to justify the garage space and collectors car insurance. There are over 2,500 hours of labor invested in it and is very obvious once the car is inspected. (Has won 'best in class' at AZ / CA car show in Laughland the one time it was entered and makes Factory Five and other kit cars look like toys).

In closing...this is a 'no excuse' car short of the minor inperfections in the paint due to it's age and the tires are out of 'date code'...thats IT! (235/60 BFG front - 295/50 BFG rear)

\d