Waiting for Cobra's to import to Canada

bobbybeige · #1 (**permalink**) 09-28-2013, 11:20 AM

Like all of you I've spent a great deal of time of my life waiting to purchase my first Cobra.
But being up here in Canada it leaves me with limited choices due to the 15 year ban on kit cars.
I could build my own Factory Five car, but for the time & cost I could buy the same car already built in the US for way less. The ones that are here for sale are way overpriced due to the limited numbers.
So, I have to wait until these cars are over the age limit to bring them up, but I'm not sure how long of a wait I'm going to be looking at.
Basically I want a higher end kit, Superformance, Kirkham, CSX or similar, but haven't really been able to determine when they all started really producing larger numbers of cars that are out there long enough for me to buy.
Does anybody have a list of when these companies began volume operations?

lamaluv · #2 (**permalink**) 09-28-2013, 11:49 AM

If you go to Cobra Country's web site you will find most of the cars that are for sale that qualify for Canadian export are listed that way. You will see a Canadian flag with the statement that the car qualifies. There are currently several ERA cars advertised that qualify.

Dick

Mark IV · #3 (**permalink**) 09-28-2013, 12:15 PM

I have a Superformance that not only is TC eligible, but has been imported to Canada and then returned to the US.

Email me rick@timemachinesauto.com or pm for info and photos. I am out of the country until Oct 2 with limited email and no access to my photos, etc. but will respond when I return.

SunDude · #4 (**permalink**) 09-28-2013, 03:06 PM

In addition to the SPF Cobra that Rick has for sale, I know of another SPF Cobra whose owner is looking to sell. The car is in B.C. at the moment; where are you located? PM if you're serious.

bobbybeige · #5 (**permalink**) 09-30-2013, 11:50 AM

The reason I am curious as to when more cars might be available is that I have something pretty specific in mind for what I want. Having scattered choices here & there doesn't bode well for a buyer. I'd rather wait for the right car to come along.

SunDude · #6 (**permalink**) 09-30-2013, 12:00 PM

Bobby, I actually know of two Superformance Cobras in B.C. that are for sale right now. Rick also has a Superformance Cobra for sale that is eligible to import legally. This is one of the high-end brands you said you were interested in.

ERA Replicas is another high-end brand that you could consider. They started building Cobras in 1983 or so.

I believe some of the very earliest Kirkhams and CSX4000s might be eligible to import, provided the seller can document the car's age which is the million dollar question.

Why don't you describe your dream Cobra so we all know what it is you're looking for.

lamaluv · #7 (**permalink**) 09-30-2013, 12:08 PM

The problem you are going to find with importing a Cobra replica into Canada is that they require proof of when the car was first registered. When it was manufactured by the maker does not matter. Was manufactured 15 years ago but not finished and registered for 4 years and can't be imported to Canada. So your question about when manufacturers' starting making significant numbers of cars is only part of your answer.

bobbybeige · #8 (**permalink**) 09-30-2013, 02:42 PM

I am in Vancouver, I didn't know about the fact is has to be "registered" rather than purchased to start eligibility for importing, good to know.
In regards to what the picture in my mind of what I'm looking for, originality would be the best way to describe it, here is a good example of what I would do if I built my own (minus the trailer of course)

http://www.autotrader.ca/a/AC/Cobra/...c/19_7489359_/

But 105K? Don't know how much of that is the custom trailer though.

bobbybeige · #9 (**permalink**) 10-02-2013, 01:02 PM

I've been keeping an eye on Cobra Country & have seen scattered cars that are eligible for Canada import, none that have really been exactly what I'm looking for.
Which is essentially an as close to "Original" style car as possible. Nothing custom. The ERA cars are good examples from what I've seen, and they are old enough in some cases.
I was just hoping to get an idea when those manufactures really started ramping up production so I have more choices. Recent builds done in Canada I see are going for 80K plus.

phattyhales · #10 (**permalink**) 10-02-2013, 04:44 PM

Kirkham started in 1994 so early cars should now be eligible for import.

Tedster · #11 (**permalink**) 10-02-2013, 04:49 PM

hey Bobby, i was in the same situation as you. i took me a little over 1 year and a half of searching the net everyday for several hours before i found one that please me with all the bells and whistles i was looking for and with the right paperwork that enabled me to import it to Canada. All the efforts and time spent searching was rewarded. Today im the proud owner of ERA 456.
Many times i wanted to give up and buy a Z06, but i really wanted a cobra.
The advice i can give you is be patient ,there is one out there for you,its only a matter of time.
And when you do find one ,make sure you have all the right paperwork before showing up at the border, those customs guys sure know their stuff.

Good luck!

Dwight · #12 (**permalink**) 10-02-2013, 06:29 PM

I have a friend with Unique build in 1991 that would sell it. It has a KC 1965 427 side oiler (now a 487 c.i.), 5 speed, Jag rear end.

email me and I can send you pictures.

Dwight Frye algunruner@aol.com

almost forgot 619 hp and 637 tq

a couple of pics

Cobraqcca · #13 (**permalink**) 10-06-2013, 03:08 PM

Hey Bobbybeige -

Check this one out - I know it's a FFR - but it's nicely done...if you like 'Lambo orange pearl'

At $49,900 this is a superb example of what a Factory Five Cobra can be! | Western Canada Cobras

Al Beix owns 'Western Canada Cobras' and often has customers cars for sale on the site.

Cobraqcca

BTW the one you listed from St Georges QC is overpriced IMHO!! Unless that price includes the Trailer AND the van

Cobraqcca · #14 (**permalink**) 10-06-2013, 03:47 PM

Hi Again -

Just snooped at autotrader.com - classics and there is a decent one in California at "My Hot Cars Inc" Used Cars Livermore CA | Used Cars & Trucks CA | My Hot Cars Inc. asking $50,000 AND they say it's registered as a 1965!

That would be a piece of cake to get into Canada. And if you registered it as an antique you may even get a break on the insurance!!

Nice 427 big block!

So they're out there!!

SunDude · #15 (**permalink**) 10-06-2013, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cobraqcca

Hey Bobbybeige -

Check this one out - I know it's a FFR - but it's nicely done...if you like 'Lambo orange pearl'

At $49,900 this is a superb example of what a Factory Five Cobra can be! | Western Canada Cobras

Al Beix owns 'Western Canada Cobras' and often has customers cars for sale on the site.

Cobraqcca

BTW the one you listed from St Georges QC is overpriced IMHO!! Unless that price includes the Trailer AND the van

I know this car. It belongs to a local guy in the Ottawa area, and is a nice car.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cobraqcca

Hi Again -

Just snooped at autotrader.com - classics and there is a decent one in California at "My Hot Cars Inc" Used Cars Livermore CA | Used Cars & Trucks CA | My Hot Cars Inc. asking $50,000 AND they say it's registered as a 1965!

That would be a piece of cake to get into Canada. And if you registered it as an antique you may even get a break on the insurance!!

Nice 427 big block!

So they're out there!!

Transport Canada is not fooled by Cobra replicas titled as "1965" so there's a good chance a car like this would be refused entry or seized at the border. Better to make sure that the seller has documentation proving that the car was completed/registered at least 15 years ago.

Cobraqcca · #16 (**permalink**) 10-06-2013, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SunDude

Transport Canada is not fooled by Cobra replicas titled as "1965" so there's a good chance a car like this would be refused entry or seized at the border. Better to make sure that the seller has documentation proving that the car was completed/registered at least 15 years ago.

Of course it would need to be checked out for length of registration - but by the appearance it's not new or newer - engine pics!!

The point was that they ARE "out there". The Ottawa car looks like the better deal anyhow!!

Cobraqcca

bobbybeige · #17 (**permalink**) 10-07-2013, 10:38 AM

I have seen that car listed in Ottawa (I already subscribe to WCC's mailings) But that is not my style at all, looks like a nice car if you like something custom, but I don't.
ERA's seem to be the most available that are registered prior to 1997.
Of course complication #2 is that I'm 6'5" with feet like a Platypus (size 13) so finding something that will fit me creates the next issue.