Shamrock Cobra

ljhayden · #1 (**permalink**) 09-01-2023, 06:58 AM

Hi!

My name is Les Hayden, i started building Cobra replicas in Cape Town (South Africa) in 1984 under my brand "Shamrock Cobra". I have just opened a new factory to build my new and improved version of the Cobra. If anyones interested in seeing the cars were building or has any queries please feel free to message me via this thread or alternatively take a look at our website at shamrockcobrasa.com.

767Jockey · #2 (**permalink**) 09-01-2023, 02:05 PM

I looked at your website. Virtually no information at all on there. Where are they built, price, dealer locator, aluminum vs. fiberglass body equipment available, IRS vs solid rear, engines available (more info than "Ford & Chevy" is needed ) etc. Not even very basic information.

patrickt · #3 (**permalink**) 09-01-2023, 05:44 PM

Les, maybe post a vid of the factory. I can only imagine how difficult it must be to get that off the ground so I'm inclined to cut you some slack.

767Jockey · #4 (**permalink**) 09-02-2023, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

Les, maybe post a vid of the factory. I can only imagine how difficult it must be to get that off the ground so I'm inclined to cut you some slack.

I'm not trying to give the guy a hard time. It's just sort if bizarre to come on here to announce - "Hey, I used to build Cobras. I'm going to do it again, but with improvements. Any questions?" with absolutely no other info offered.

ljhayden · #5 (**permalink**) 09-02-2023, 01:52 AM

Hi Gentlemen, Thank you for your interest in our new website and our cars. I appreciate your comments and will certainly try to improve the site. We have only just got that site up and running and we are aware that it needs improvement. but your comments do help. Just for now, the cars are still being produced in Cape Town, South Africa, and the bodies are made of composites as stated on the site.We use glass matting with epoxy vynile ester resin because of its good heat resistance and strength. Regard Les, Shamrock Cobra.

ljhayden · #6 (**permalink**) 09-02-2023, 02:00 AM

Oops! I should have added that the suspension is independent double wishbone all round, of our own design and manufacture. Engines are Chev and Ford small block (Ford 351W and its stretched 427 versions contemplated) and Chev LS such as the LS 3 seen one of the chassis pictures. We do not have any US agents appointed at this point.

CowtownCobra · #7 (**permalink**) 09-02-2023, 02:39 AM

I looked at the pictures on their website, very nice RHD cars!

Snake2998 · #8 (**permalink**) 09-02-2023, 03:57 AM

Hi Les - as a long term owner of a Shamrock - bought kit in 1985 - I still love my car and have experienced no kit design and manufacture attributable problems in over 30 years on the road. Janice and I wish you well with the new venture.
Ivan & Janice

ljhayden · #9 (**permalink**) 09-02-2023, 04:14 AM

Thanks Ivan and Janice. That is very encouraging feedback to hear. Mr CowtownCobra, glad you liked the pics. We designed our cars to be built in both Right and Left Hand Drive and have built LHD for other markets in the past.
Les

ljhayden · #10 (**permalink**) 09-02-2023, 04:16 AM

Thanks Ivan and Janice. That is very encouraging feedback to hear. Mr CowtownCobra, glad you liked the pics. We designed our cars to be built in both Right and Left Hand Drive and have built LHD for other markets in the past.
Les

Dickey · #11 (**permalink**) 01-06-2024, 10:25 AM

I am very excited to see how this develops. I recently purchased a Cobra you guys built in Cape Town back around 2001 and shipped to Dr. Crawford in Chattanooga under Shamrock Autocraft. IMO it's built better than the magority of replicas/kits from that era. Both the body and chassis are very solid and it really shows when it comes to ride quality. I took the car all the way back to the frame and went through everything. I was not disappointed with what I found. My only critcism is the automatic trans and lack of radius arms in the rear. Otherwise I wouldn't change a thing. Even the top from Soft Top Trimmers is still in great shape. This is a picture from the early 2000s. My car is the silver one on the end. I absolutely love my Shamrock and wish you the best with your new endeavors.

ljhayden · #12 (**permalink**) 01-07-2024, 01:45 AM

Hi Brent,
So glad you are enjoying your Shamrock Cobra. Your one will have been built after I sold the company in 1994 as I know that the new owners were shipping cars to Tennessee. I was sorry when a partneship dispute later led to the liquidation of the company I started in 1984. On the positive side this did allow me to re-register the Shamrock name for my latest Cobra replica.
You do not need radius arms on the rear suspension providing that the lower control arms are gusseted. Dr Andy Yates from the mechanical engienering dept of my local university (UCT) did extensive testing of these components under load by fitting them with strain gauges on a car I provided him, and he found that they were fine if we gusseted them by welding on trianglular plates at the fulcrum end. If your car has these you have nothing to worry about.The reason that I later designed a new tubular backbone type chassis was to increase torsional stiffness (a simple ladder frame chassis tends to flex too much at speed for good high speed handling and stability) and this also allowed me to lower the seats by 4 inches in my latest Shamrock Cobras, which pleases the tall guys.
Hope your Shamrock Cobra will continue ot bring you lots of fun!
Regards,
Les Hayden

ljhayden · #13 (**permalink**) 01-07-2024, 01:49 AM

Hi Brent,
So glad you are enjoying your Shamrock Cobra. Your one will have been built after I sold the company in 1994 as I know that the new owners were shipping cars to Tennessee. I was sorry when a partneship dispute later led to the liquidation of the company I started in 1984. On the positive side this did allow me to re-register the Shamrock name for my latest Cobra replica.
You do not need radius arms on the rear suspension providing that the lower control arms are gusseted. Dr Andy Yates from the mechanical engienering dept of my local university (UCT) did extensive testing of these components under load by fitting them with strain gauges on a car I provided him, and he found that they were fine if we gusseted them by welding on trianglular plates at the fulcrum end. If your car has these you have nothing to worry about.The reason that I later designed a new tubular backbone type chassis was to increase torsional stiffness (a simple ladder frame chassis tends to flex too much at speed for good high speed handling and stability) and this also allowed me to lower the seats by 4 inches in my latest Shamrock Cobras, which pleases the tall guys.
Hope your Shamrock Cobra will continue to bring you lots of fun!
Regards,
Les Hayden