I want to build a cobra... Where to start?

[AL427SBF]

I want to build a cobra... Where to start?

Everybody has jumped in somewhere after the start.

You start by ...
1. Clearing it with your companion or spouse, if the relationship sux and you want out, don't clear it with them.
2. Decide what your maximum budget is for this toy, then multiply by 70%. That's the hard number you work to because everybody here knows damn well you will overrun by 30%.
3. Go back to page 1 and start reading

[fordracing65]

buy mine its for sale

[badrich]

When I started thinking seriously about getting a Cobra, about a decade ago, I joined the local Shelby club NorCal SAAC, and Club Cobra, to see just what was available. Cobra Country is definitely a must, as well as purchasing their manual comparing most of the popular machines. After seeing a number of cars and learning what the differences were, I decided on a replica, a manufacturer that built Cobras *close* to the originals. That narrowed the field considerably. If you don't need all that originality, there are a lot of cars to choose from, and you can save yourself some real money. Unless you have lots of money to spend, I'd recommend a small block (Windsor) powered used Cobra that looks and feels good to you. You can get a lot of good advice on this forum. Best of luck! Rich

[Dimis]

Sorry for the interruption folks....

Originally Posted by badrich

Unless you have lots of money to spend, I'd recommend a small block (Windsor) powered used Cobra that looks and feels good to you. You can get a lot of good advice on this forum. Best of luck! Rich

For a guy with a bad@ss Shelby aluminum 427, that i dare say most aspire to, one wonders why our friend BADRICH recommends a SB Windsor...

Experience perhaps?

I'm yet to settle on an engine... and its comments like these that have me scratching my head & second guessing myself.
I believe the heart wants an FE Aluminum 427
...but alas, this is not about me...

Please return to our regular programming...

[AL427SBF]

yes, you should be scratching your head

[Dwight]

The London Cobra Show is next week.


London Cobra Show - The Ohio Cobra Club

[Dwight]

you need to come to the hotels Thursday and Friday night. 200 Cobras parked in three or four holel parking lots. Tail gate parties everywhere. You can talk to the owners and get their opinions. Sit in the Cobras.

I'll give you a ride if you ask me.

Saturday you can pay the $10 and ride in one, at Speed.

Dwight

cheaper to buy than build. You can drive it as you work on it to change what you don't like.

[Dwight]

parking lot of the Hampton 2007

[PDUB]

Originally Posted by mkassab

Call Unique Motorcars.... Ask for Alan or Maurice. Read my build link @ Mark's Build - Unique Forums

Like the others said... it's your car..... your build..... so "pick" wisely. For me, Unique was a wise choice.

Mark

I'll agree here with Mark. You won't go wrong with a Unique! Unique may not be as well known around here, since many of the owners tend hang out over on the Unique forum. As Mark suggests, check out his build threads.

Originally Posted by AL427SBF

I want to build a cobra... Where to start?

2. Decide what your maximum budget is for this toy, then multiply by 70%. That's the hard number you work to because everybody here knows damn well you will overrun by 30%.

I think maybe he meant multiply by 130%... typo? The point is well taken... cost overruns are a real factor in a build.



_____________________

[badrich]

Dimis: While I did go through some pain when I first got my Shelby motor, after a rebuild and upgrade, I have been quite happy with it for the past couple of years. My Windsor recommendation was based upon cost. But if sounds are most important to you, my aluminium Shelby is *priceless.* Rich

[Jackalope]

Originally Posted by IndyCobra

My web site walks you through these same questions step-by-step. It might give you some ideas. Every model has pros and cons and it really depends on what YOU want, not what someone tells you. BTW, Eljaro is correct. If you are not into building one, you can most certainly buy one for cheaper than it takes to build one.

My web site is Red Venom Cobra

Thanks for the information IndyCobra, and thanks even more for your website. Tons of information there.

One thing I didn't quite get from your writeup though was your reasons for going with Lonestar rather than some of the larger manufacturers such as ERA, Unique, Kirkham, Superperformance, etc. I can certainly understand the need for the extra room, good customer service and so forth, but I didn't get a good feel for what you considered to be the pros and cons of each of them. In my case, resale will be a major consideration and I want to make sure I pick the kit that's recognized as a quality manufacturer. Certainly Lonestar appears to meet that criteria, but it's not as well recognized as the ones I've mentioned. Can you comment on that?

Thanks,
Jack

[Dwight]

I visited Lone Star and Unique before I bought my Lone Star back in 1999. I did buy from a dealer ( ? long story but not important at this time) in Tenn.
The Lone Star factory is as large as any, larger than most. They sell so many other kit and I don't think they push the Cobra kit as much as their others. They have a good product and are priced competitively.
I liked the interior tub, trunk tub and fender wells molded to the body. I consider this rain proof. My longest ride in the rain was last June returning from the London Cobra Show, 310 miles. Nothing in the trunk got wet. My windshield post did leak but beach towel handled that. Re sealed them last night so that might not be a problem anymore.
I like the longer interior (doors are 4" longer) more storage room behind the seat, slider on the seat so taller guys can drive my car with easy. I'm 5' 10" and fit in all Cobras.
The looks are close enough that "Most" people do not know the different in the body, even if I'm park in a roll of ten Cobras.
Resale?
What I noticed about resale of Cobras over the last 4 years is SPF sell faster and for more money than any of the others.
A guy that does not want to build his Cobra want a known quality. Something you can not be assured of from an unknown individual builder.
I have worked on a lot of Cobras (15-16). I have seen some amassing things. Sometime I wonder how someone has not been killed or how the car even runs.
I have bought a Cobra in 03 or 04 build poorly. I reworked (and repainted) to made it safe before I traded it for my 06 Mustang. I bought a finished Gt 40 last January (very long story). I have worked on it for 6 months and then let it sit while I compete other projects. I should be back on it next week with a vengeance.

My advice if you are going to buy used, take someone you trust, who has build several Cobras and let them look at the car before you pay.
I have a B&B in my shop now that had a couple of major problems. The car is well build, high quality but the front end needs replacing / redesigned and the drive shaft bolts where 7/16 but should have been 12mm. One was missing and the other three where very loose, two I removed with my fingers. The new owner picked the car up and drove it 600 miles home. The car is 9 years old and had two previous owners that I know of. I do not know who build the car. The other problems where just poor maintenance over a lot of years. Still a nice car.

I drive my Cobra a lot and fast if I can do it safely. Good brakes and better tires are more important than horsepower. These car a 1950-60's design and do not do that well in a wreck. We need to make them as safe as we can.
I will own a Cobra till the kids take my driver license away from me.

Happy motoring and see ya on the road.
Dwight

[BAsque1]

Yakfish:
My first few questions to you is :
Do you have spare time to do this?
Do you have plenty of discretionary funds/income to back this project?
Do you have the space and tools required to complete the project?
Do you have the knowledge to do this?

If you can answer without any hesitation or mental reservation a categorical yes! then go for it.
I got involved into a project with my son which was scheduled for a year, 11 years later and $30K was completed, now we found ourselves with a beautiful car that he does not want to keep (just got married) and unable to sell for less than 1/2 of waht we spent. It could be very expensivem time consuming, space encroaching, and mentally frustrating at times.
My suggestion to anyone, I know it is fun to build your own car, but if you can get all you want for less time and money and plenty of time to enjoy, take the completed project hands down and enjoy the ride.

I just got my Cobra 8 mos. ago and yes there some minor hicups and some tweaking but now I am having a ball with it.
I hope this helps
Cheers
Basque 1

[BAsque1]

Yakfish:
My first few questions to you is :
Do you have spare time to do this?
Do you have plenty of discretionary funds/income to back this project?
Do you have the space and tools required to complete the project?
Do you have the knowledge to do this?

If you can answer without any hesitation or mental reservation a categorical yes! then go for it.
I got involved into a project with my son which was scheduled for a year, 11 years later and $30K was completed, now we found ourselves with a beautiful car that he does not want to keep (just got married) and unable to sell for less than 1/2 of waht we spent. It could be very expensivem time consuming, space encroaching, and mentally frustrating at times.
My suggestion to anyone, I know it is fun to build your own car, but if you can get all you want for less time and money and plenty of time to enjoy, take the completed project hands down and enjoy the ride.

I just got my Cobra 8 mos. ago and yes there some minor hicups and some tweaking but now I am having a ball with it.
I hope this helps
Cheers
Basque 1

[G-Pete]

Originally Posted by AL427SBF

I want to build a cobra... Where to start?

You start by ...
1. Clearing it with your companion or spouse, if the relationship sux and you want out, don't clear it with them.

One of the best advice here - strongly agree