What to look for in this Cobra?

[Ahmet Tuncay]

Dear Cobra Gurus:

While I consider myself a dyed in the wool motor head, my collection has consisted mostly of vintage Alfas and Ducatis and I don't know much about Cobra kits.

I have a good friend who has more common sense than me and wants to spend his own money on more useful things - a Cobra as a way to get himself into American muscle.

This particular one is near by and in the right price range:

1966 AC Cobra - Specialty Sales Classics

I understand entirely that the value/desirability of kit Cobras has a lot to do the quality of the build, but are there specific things we should ask about the build? Are there common shortcuts builders take that should be red flags? If you were looking for one, would this be a reasonable candidate to go see/drive (given the budget of course)?

Any advice would be much appreciated and thank you in advance.

[DanEC]

Not sure what make it is but they have the side louvers either in upside down or swapped from side to side.

[mrmustang]

Early Everett Morison ?

[mtrain2000]

I don't really like the side pipes, but like others have said the build quality is what is important.

[Arc Light]

From what I know about that seller's pricing, you probably would not want any Cobra replica that they price at $25,000.

[tcrist]

You can have a mechanic (not one of theirs) inspect it for standard problems. Might cost you $100 or a little more, but it would be worth the $$. Maybe someone close in the cobra community can go look at it for/with you.

Note that it has 4 lug wheels which is not a popular option. With their big BLAH, BLAH, BLAH, BS crap that they put in their add you would think that it was a 90K car. They arer really overselling it.

Of course that is just my opinion which is worth about as much space as the room it took to write it.

You really need to know the manufacture. That would help a lot in the decision. You need to know it anyway if you buy it.

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by Arc Light

From what I know about that seller's pricing, you probably would not want any Cobra replica that they price at $25,000.

I don't know about that, I've sold 11 Cobra replicas for under 25K and all owners have been happy (and those that still own them are still happy) with their purchases. The trick is to know what you have on your hands and be able to understand the differences in what you have vs others.

Bill S.

[Arc Light]

Originally Posted by mrmustang

I don't know about that, I've sold 11 Cobra replicas for under 25K and all owners have been happy (and those that still own them are still happy) with their purchases. The trick is to know what you have on your hands and be able to understand the differences in what you have vs others.

Bill S.

I think my post may have been a little unclear. I think you can buy a nice cobra for under $25,000, but I think a $25,000 Cobra from THAT seller may leave a little to be desired.

[GregAgrest]

I have to agree with Arc Light. I looked at one of their Cobra's a few months before I bought mine. It left a lot to be desired. It looked good in their pics, sounded good in their narrative but that was about it. But still, if it's not too far away a look see won't hurt. Terry is right about having it looked at by your own mechanic but my guess that place won't allow it.

[mickmate]

I suggest finding something out about the source of parts and whose kit it is. You need to know that at a bare minimum for any wear items and replacement parts. That will tell you a lot about how the car is engineered, it's reputation, resale, value.
I would guess 4 cyl Mustang with the 4 lug wheels??
Go through the systems on the car systematically. Does the steering have play, shafts are professionally made from one piece not poorly welded to make a length, good geometry on steering with parts that were designed to be used together, no bump steer or travel issues and nothing cut or welded to change track width. I could keep going with an inspection list like this but you get the idea from just a quick list on steering. Then look at brakes, suspension, exhaust, wiring, fit and finish. Those louvers being switched side to side is a big visual and the exhaust being so low are a couple of items I would look at that just throw off the look of the car right away. They might be nothing or an easy fix but it could signal a pandoras box of someone putting together a car that has no business putting together cars. It doesn't look bad for the money. Get a good local mechanic or Cobra guy to look at it with you.
Don't forget to come back and tell us how it panned out.............

[DanEC]

Originally Posted by Arc Light

I think my post may have been a little unclear. I think you can buy a nice cobra for under $25,000, but I think a $25,000 Cobra from THAT seller may leave a little to be desired.

Yeah - I also love the repetitive narrative about the "stroker" 305 engine. What is it - an old 260 block with a 302 crank and thirty thousands overbore???? A lot of BS in that ad.

[Ron61]

Also the car is in California and it never said anything about it being registered under SB-100. If it isn't then you will have another pile of money to get it registered correctly unless you are taking it out of this state which should help a lot.

All that being said, a man in Texas just bought a really well built one with a 390 motor and runs great out here for $20K. If I had the money I would have bought it.

Ron

[Jaydee]

In the photo of the right door panel, it looks like someone lost their breakfast when they saw the louvers. So what year was it built?
JD

[SunDude]

Originally Posted by mrmustang

Early Everett Morison ?

Looks more like a CMC / StreetBeast to me.

[WardL]

My take on this is the Cobra looks fine but I would prefer to buy from a private party for two reasons: 1) You can talk to the person that knows something about the Cobra and 2) You won't pay the percent markup (20, 30%?). I wonder how the dealer could even sell the car in California unless it has the SB-100 registration. The 4-lug wheels just means it has a Mustang II suspension right? I don't know much about the lower end Cobra market. You don't see any of these on Cobra Country as they tend to show more high end Cobras. Couldn't there be like $5k of markup in a vehicle like this at the dealer? Notice no wiper blades. How is a dealer even selling this vehicle?

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by SunDude

Looks more like a CMC / StreetBeast to me.

Perhaps

[Ahmet Tuncay]

Just wanted to thank everyone for the valuable input, this all makes sense, very useful to know that the 4 lug wheels might point to Mustang II underpinnings (I'm old enough to have seen these new), about SB-100, and which general areas to look in a kit build. I haven't dealt with this seller before but have sold cars using a consignment agency, the way it worked is they negotiated a price with me and sold the cars for whatever they could get, so yes, there could be a nice markup - or not too much if they just want to unload it.

This is not too far away, we'll probably just go take a closer look with your good advice in mind, thank you again.

[eschaider]

If the builder couldn't get the wheels right, couldn't get the side louvers right and the engine is being represented as a stroker 302, then you are looking at the tip of the iceberg in terms of what is not right.

This is a car to avoid and it has nothing to do with price.

Ed

[diverrick]

I'd love to see what your all talking about, but it appears the website for that company is down. All I get is a blank page.

[Bob S.]

Originally Posted by SunDude

Looks more like a CMC / StreetBeast to me.

It's definitely not a EM cobra , I agree it's probably a CMC cobra . They used MII front and rear with 4-lug wheels before they upgraded to 8.8 rears . Also the hood opening gussets , sidepipes , and interior components look very much like what CMC used to sell .