What Kit should I buy?

[Risalinas]

Hi All,
I am a new subscriber and i don't really know if this is the proper place to ask.
I am seriously thinking of building a 427 Cobra repro and I see that there are several companies to choose from. Which are reputable? Who makes the best one?
Any help will be greatly appreciated.

[RodKnock]

I don't know the seller, but a Shelby Cobras alloy roller would be a leading contender for best. Certainly one of the most expensive for a "production" builder.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/cto/2078569178.html

[RodKnock]

Or here's a completed Shelby Cobra for $115,000.

http://www.cobracountry.com/cobra4sa...us-ca4-RHS.jpg

Not affiliated with the seller.

[Risalinas]

Great looking cars!! But I'm looking for a kit to build myself! Kirkham seems tops but way too expensive.

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by Risalinas

Great looking cars!! But I'm looking for a kit to build myself! Kirkham seems tops but way too expensive.

And your projected budget is?

[Kzof]

Only my PHO. ERA, Kirkham, or Shelby

[jolsen42]

Not knowing what your budget is, but I would highly recommend http://www.factoryfive.com/. The initial coast for their base kit is $12,990 and for the compete kit $19,990 and you can take it as far as you want. John O

[RodKnock]

You're going to have to let us know what your budget is and how much work you're willing to do. Your original post is too vague because there are dozens and dozens of Cobras out there for varying prices and completeness.

[charles roybal]

2d on Factory Five Racing........great people ....strong forum.....look good...strong car.

[westva]

I was exactly where you are about 4 months ago. I contacted several companies and got the best feedback from Steve at Hurricane Motorsports. I went to Iowa to tour the Hurricane facilities. I was treated extremely well. I couldn't have been treated any better if I were there to buy the whole company. Steve spent an entire day with me. In summary, I was so impressed, I sent them a deposit on a new car!! Car should be here in a couple weeks.

In making your decision of which kit to purchase, you should first decide whether you want to use a donor car. I did not want to use a donor car. You owe it to yourself to at least talk to Steve at Hurricane. Steve's email is: Steve@bowieintl.com. Or, feel free to send me an email Richard@richardcwittlaw.com

[DanEC]

Originally Posted by Risalinas

Hi All,
I am a new subscriber and i don't really know if this is the proper place to ask.
I am seriously thinking of building a 427 Cobra repro and I see that there are several companies to choose from. Which are reputable? Who makes the best one?
Any help will be greatly appreciated.

You need to decide what's important to you in a replica. Some companies cater to those wanting an original look alike, to a virtually dead-on knock off of originals. Others sell a little more generic kit that allows the owner to customize the car to their own liking if exact originality isn't their main interest. Others cater to the lower price range and others to the upper range. Different companies have different suspension set ups - from a Mustang donor up to billet replicas of the original 427 cars and everything in between. Some manufacturers cater more to the do-it-yourself crowd who like getting their hands dirty with scrounging up parts and slapping body filler on and sanding it back off. Others sell pretty much complete cars with or without installed motors.

So, supply some specifics as to your interests in a car and everyone on here can help narrow down the list of manufacturers who would best meet your expectations.

[redmt]

I went through the same as you. I had centered up on the Hurricane as well. Would have bought a kit until I tripped over a Contemporary in Spokane that called out to me.
Ray Humble on these forums has a Contemporary kit he's trying to sell for the wife of a deceased buddy. You might want to try and get a hold of him. Nobody has anything bad to say about the Contemporaries. Now that I have it in my hands , I will say that it appears to be very high quality.

John

[Wbulk]

Aside from the quality of the kit you need to know if you can fit in it. I was just about to order a Factory Five until I sat in one. I was just to big to fit without some real pain. If you are shorter and that is not an issue then for the money I would go Factory Five, then Hurricane. If I was going to buy a turn key minus engine and trans I would look at Back Draft Racing. There are a lot of low end companies that offer kits that can be made pretty good but the effort may require a lot, lot more work. During these times it's really risky dealing with a lot of the smaller companies and you just may lose more than you want.

[dlampe]

I have had quite a few different cars and I just built the new Hurricane. I wanted a car that really looked like it came right out of 1965. It is a very accurate reproduction with respect to the overall shape, the interior and the engine bay. Factory Five does not have that level of accuracy although their new MK IV is much improved. That was important to me but you haven't told us what is important to you. The Hurricane will price out a little more than the FFR with the potential for a more accurate finished product at a very reasonable price with very little lag time. I am 6'3 and I fit in my car with room to spare. You should really call Steve at Hurricane and have him send you some info.

I have been down this road a few times, if I can help send me a note.

[rustyBob]

Factory Five
Hurricane
Lone Star
B&B
Shell Valley
Take your pick....there are some i have
not mentioned because there are so many
figure out what you want to use it for first
street, show, race or a combo of all three
set a budget and stick to it...
then add ten percent to that...
but most of all DO YOUR HOME WORK
dont just take someone elses word for
which one is "The Best Kit".
good luck on you search and keep us posted..

[LMH]

Pretty much have to know your budget and what's important to you. Then go from there.
Go to a local get together of Cobras and see what you like. Thats the best way to see different companies offerings.
And yes, check out Hurricane for sure! (that's my shamless plug!)
Larry

[tkb289]

Risalinas …

First off, welcome to the club!

Lots of good advice above, especially going to meet with the local Cobra owners in your area.

Also, take a look through Cobra Country

http://www.cobracountry.com/home2.html

That will give you an idea of what's out there and how much cars are going for. It will be more expensive to have one built than to buy one that is already done, depends on what you are after. There is also the Cobra County Buyer's Guide, if you want a book to read.

Happy Hunting!

[mkassab]

Do yourself a big favor and at least talk with Unique Motorcars.... Family run since 1977. Talk with Alan or Maurice Weaver. 256-546-3708, Gadsten, AL
Unique Motorcars web site: http://www.uniquemotorcars.com/

Unique Cobra Forum: http://www.uniquecobra.com/forums/forums.php

Here's my story and the process I went through.
http://www.uniquecobra.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=68

Tell them Mark sent you, Navarre FL. Sent you a PM

Good luck and the BEST advice was already given..... DO YOUR HOMEWORK ! My link above gets into all the details

[Bill Bess]

Check out Dean Lampe's build site on "Build Logs", he is an expert on building all kinds of cobras, give him a call.
Bill

[Roscoe]

I built my A&C ten years ago and still have no intention of painting it. As you can see the gelcoat still looks like paint. Many A&C builders simply clear coat the gelcoat. I have had it out on a road race track several times and it handles great.

Check my build site at http://www.priveye.com/cobra.htm



Roscoe