looking to buy, toooo many choices, help!!!

[bobcowan]

Buying a Cobra replica is not like buying a Corvette or Mustang. Those cars are pretty much a known quantity as far as equipment and build quality goes. For each year they the same suspension, same interior, same drive train, etc.

A Cobra replica is a completly differant animal. About the only thing they share is the look. Under the skin, everything is differant. And they all have differant builders - some are good, and some are not.

The first thing to do is educate yourself a little on the differances between one kit and the other. A Superformance and a Factory Five are very differant.

Then, decide what you really want want - an exact copy of the original, a track monster, or a fun street car that gets good gas mileage.

Then decide what items are must have's, and what items are definate no's. For example, I'd never own or build a kit with a solid axle. The IRS is so much smoother it's a must have for me. Then decide your preferances. I'd prefer EFI, but for the right price on a good car I could swap it over. And then list your definate no's - maybe no blowers, or no big blocks.

Once you have your lists made up, then start shopping.

[edd]

Originally Posted by mrmustang

I'm located roughly 40 miles west of Philly and have both a big block(not for too much longer it appears) and a small block car I'd be happy to show you the difference on. Will be back in town on the 5th, feel free to PM me with your contact information and I'll call you then.


Bill S.

Thanks,
ekemp@frontiernet.net
610 730-4648
Ed

[Woodz428]

Originally Posted by Black Mamba

Not sure if this is up your alley, saw it on Fleabay for $22K obo:

1963 Replicas and Kits Cobra Superformance, Candy Apple Red/Black, 8,010 Miles

1963 Ford Cobra Replica, 429ci Ford 8 cylinder Engine that was rebuilt, C-6 automatic transmission. Built in 1997, 1963 Corvette frame painted metallic red, 4 barrel Holly carb, BF Goodrich radial TA tires, 15 inch aluminum rims, super performance kit car, independent suspension, looks and runs great, sounds awesome! A real head turner. Garaged, non-smoker!
Joe
877-392-2891

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1963-...ht_1698wt_1167

Why do so many of the ads that are posted here misleading to the point of being...deceptive? This one is listed as a Superformance. In the listing it reads a super performance kit car. Not quite the same. The fact that it was "built" on a corvette frame( the '63 was all drum brakes originally) excludes it from being a Superformance. Doesn't anyone know what they have ??? Like the Cobra with a solid axle rear end last week that was claimed to have been built by Shelby-American. I guess desperate times brings the less than honest to the forefront. I don't recall seeing so many misrepresented Cobras in such a short period as I've seen in the last few months.
I would have to agree that you are most likely looking at an FFR in that price range, if you are wanting a driver for that amount. There will be others, but be wary, not all Cobra kit mfg.'s are of an acceptable quality. The lower your price point, the better chance you will be looking at one of those (less acceptable).
As was pointed out, in the current economics, cash is king. So be cautious and patient.

[Excaliber]

Spin the tires? Easy enough to do, don't need much horse power, it's all about gear ratio's and tire selection.

My Excalibur had a stock 302 (about 215 horses), 5 speed, 3.5 rear gears. Top speed in 1st gear was about 25 mph, top speed in 4th or 5th was about 107 mph.

That thing would "smoke tires" to the point you couldn't see the car! Run some Goodrich TA's, some short gearing and go tear up the asphalt. Fun car below 60 mph. I like the ERA 427 I currently I have, MUCH faster, but you can make a strong case for "keep it simple". That Excalibur was rock solid reliable, easy to work on, got great mpg, handled darn good and didn't cost an arm and a leg. A good car for the money and the fun.

Some years ago my buddy bought a similiarly equipped FFR, classic 302, 5 speed, 3.5 rear gear, about the same kind of performance, a bit better. He paid $17,000 for it, used of course. He's done a ton of work to it sense, but that original price is hard to argue with!

[brobehr]

edd

I am in the same boat, so many choices and the info regarding them can be overwhelming. good luck mr phelps...

[427Charlie]

I've got a good deal on a Midstates. And I know, no side pipes or roll bar but we could add those and still be under $30k.

http://www.clubcobra.com/classifieds...uct=2784&cat=2

[Excaliber]

Street car setup, nice ride Charlie, a guy wouldn't have to add anything. Some folks prefer the street car look. You can always change it AFTER you figure out if a Cobra is to your liking or not. Plenty folks get one and then find it's just not for them.

[mickmate]

Just keep reading on here and get to some local events. Talk to the Cobra guys, look at them if you can sit in them or even get a ride in one it's even better. Warning on that is it's like heroin that makes an addict from one hit. I think that's why we get who's kit is this posts and the funky ads. There's as many choices as there are opinions as there are brands as there are assemblers. That's both the beauty and the pitfalls of this type of car.

[WarrenG]

Originally Posted by Woodz428

Why do so many of the ads that are posted here misleading to the point of being...deceptive? This one is listed as a Superformance. In the listing it reads a super performance kit car. Not quite the same. The fact that it was "built" on a corvette frame( the '63 was all drum brakes originally) excludes it from being a Superformance. Doesn't anyone know what they have ??? Like the Cobra with a solid axle rear end last week that was claimed to have been built by Shelby-American. I guess desperate times brings the less than honest to the forefront. I don't recall seeing so many misrepresented Cobras in such a short period as I've seen in the last few months.
I would have to agree that you are most likely looking at an FFR in that price range, if you are wanting a driver for that amount. There will be others, but be wary, not all Cobra kit mfg.'s are of an acceptable quality. The lower your price point, the better chance you will be looking at one of those (less acceptable).
As was pointed out, in the current economics, cash is king. So be cautious and patient.

I haven't read the add in question, but many sellers on ebay will put names of popular items in the classification of their item to attract more traffic. i.e. Shelby, AC, etc may be listed in the title so that their ad pops up in more searches. It's a pain for buyers but I can't argue with the logic as long as the seller makes it clear in the description what the item is and is not.

[edd]

Just want to thank you guys for all the input, it's really helpful info so far. Heres where I'm at, I have a son in the air force who's going to Afghanistan the end of June, He'll be back in January. This is a joint venture, (yea right, our car, my coin, oh well) that gives me between now and then to find a car. I've been buying and selling older Harleys for years, and this time of the year it's a sellers market. Is it the same with these cars?
Thanks,
Ed

[henrik]

I would take this if I were you...

http://www.suncoastcobra.com/showroom_inv1.asp

Talk to Jerry - he will take good care of you and make you a fair deal.

[Dwight]

For Sale

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by edd

Thanks,
ekemp@frontiernet.net
610 730-4648
Ed

Ed,

Sent you a PM with my contact information.


Bill S.