Easy replica kit

[Boon]

Howdy all. I know this will probably turn into a mess with a cornucopia of answers. IN GENERAL, what is the easiest kit to put together. I HATE electrical and to be honest that is my biggest fear in putting a kit together. Is there something out there that the sheet metal work is done? Thanks for the help.

[Paul F]

We need a little more information to help you. Cobras come in many forms. I know you said kit, but that could be anything from a set of instructions and a fiberglass shell to a complete car minus the drivetrain.

What is your budget? Do you want to do all the work yourself? Do you want it partially assembled? Do you want the fiberglass raw out of the mould or do you want it all prepped and ready for paint?

Just how much work are you willing/wanting to do and how much are you willing to spend?

[saltshaker]

Call A&C in Buffalo NY, they have a great body that comes in high gloss gel coat so there isn 't any body work.
Jon

[ItBites]

Buy a roller. From what I can tell, you just write a check to have someone install the engine and transmission

[DanEC]

Superformance, Backdraft, ERA, Shelby America, Unique - possibly missed one or two - are all capable of providing a rolling, finished car basically just needing an engine and transmission. If you need a kit rather than a roller, I'm prejudiced towards ERA. They are so well engineered and scienced out that assembly is cinch. There will be a few issues and questions in the process but help is just a phone call or email away.

I hate electrical too.

[Paintwerks]

As above, if you want a near-complete roller, the kits mentioned above are great.

But if you still want to build a Cobra, look at importing an Absolute Pace 427SC from Australia. The kit is built pretty much as an 'assembler kit'. Even the wiring harness is plug and play. All brand new (no reclaimed or used parts are employed). It uses a full aircraft grade aluminum chassis that can comfortably fit a 6'5" driver and a correct shape, carbon composite body with a fantastically high quality gelcoat finish that many people mistakenly believe is painted. Pace have developed a LHD version of the car too.

It uses off the shelf GM components so you can drop in a LS3 or LSA supercharged (what I'm personally doing), but it's also able to use a 427FE or Coyote if you desire the Ford heritage.

Plus the exchange rate is in your favour.

I looked at FFR on several occasions over 12 years and it was clear to me (no offense to the FFR owners) that the Pace 427SC was by far the superior kit. So that's why I bought one myself.

[Bill Bess]

Buy a good used Cobra, or buy a roller, or find some experts to help you with the hard parts.

Bill

[*13*]

If you are building something in order to maximize your dollar, budget is likely your concern. Building an ERA is a fun adventure. Wiring loom was also quite straight forward. I would think any build will take a certain level skill & have it's own quirks.

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by Boon

Howdy all. I know this will probably turn into a mess with a cornucopia of answers. IN GENERAL, what is the easiest kit to put together. I HATE electrical and to be honest that is my biggest fear in putting a kit together. Is there something out there that the sheet metal work is done? Thanks for the help.

Where are you located?

I ask as it will make a difference as to what may or nay not be available in your area and continent/country.


Bill S.

[Boon]

Alright, I'm located in Missouri. I would like to keep total cost under $40,000 if possible. I can turn wrenches. An plug and play wiring harness would make my day. I do not want to do the donor car thing. Got enough stuff sitting here as it is. Never riveted anything in my life. Have no clue how to do it. Need something with great assembly manual. Pictures! Pictures!

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by Boon

Alright, I'm located in Missouri. I would like to keep total cost under $40,000 if possible. I can turn wrenches. An plug and play wiring harness would make my day. I do not want to do the donor car thing. Got enough stuff sitting here as it is. Never riveted anything in my life. Have no clue how to do it. Need something with great assembly manual. Pictures! Pictures!

First "Got enough stuff sitting here" does not equate to having the right stuff sitting around waiting for the right kit and/or chassis.

If you are building a small block powered car

FFR will work for you and your budget
A&C will work for you and your budget
Unique will work for you and your budget

Although, perhaps buying a used Cobra would be a better choice for you and your budget then. Especially if you want a big block powered car with lots of options.

Bill S.

[DanEC]

At $40k you might be best served looking for a pre-owned replica. For that price you can probably find a pretty nice one and most of them will have low miles. MrMustang listed the kits that can get you in under that price but it kind of depends how much work you do yourself and what type of engine and transmission you select.

[Dwight]

lots of Cobra for sale at $40K and under. Buy one and change what you don't like. If you don't have all the money you can borrow on a used Cobra with a title and vin number. And interest rates are low.
Pick the color you like or can live with. That is the hard ($$$$) thing to change on a Cobra.

Drive it on the weekend and work on it during the week.

Took me 28 months to build mine and then nearly every winter I rework something. Three trannie, four motors, two rear ends, brake changes, etc.

Had it painted the first time and did not like it way it turned out so I had it repainted the second year. Still Yellow!

Here is a friend's Cobra for sale

PhotoPost Classifieds - Shell Valley Cobra for sale - Powered by PhotoPost Classifieds

Dwight

P.S. If you buy used, go look at it and drive it!!!!

[Boon]

I saw that listing Dwight. Something weird about those pics. Makes the back of the car look funny. If he has more pics he can send to my email
barrett50cal@centurylink.net Mrmustang what I meant is I have a lot of projects sitting around. Two Harleys, 76 MGB, 58 Ford F100, 49 Studebaker truck and a 51 Ford F6 dumptruck. Studebaker and 51 Ford are for sale.

[Bill Bess]

Hey, contact Hurricane in Lake City Iowa, they produce an excellent authentic kit and are great people. Steve will help you decide what you can do and what they can do.

Bill

[Boon]

Thanks Bill. I was just looking at their website.

[Dwight]

Boon I emailed you a bunch of pics. Some I took of the car in 08 or 09 I think before Lake bought it and changed the tires and rims.

Dwight

[Mastiff107]

Shell Valley not only makes a kit, but assembles them complete and sells them, sometimes they have been shown around the country etc. Cars For Sale

[brianewing]

I'm in Missouri too Boon. I may be able to help. I sent you and e mail but not sure if it delivered. Send me a P M if you're interested.

[hawk 325]

Another option you could look at is lone star classics, they offer a complete kit for under your budget and they also offer a 7 day build if you want help with the build.