03-04-2003, 05:18 PM
|
 |
CC Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Cinnaminson,
NJ
Cobra Make, Engine: Cobra Fibercraft Bodies 427 S/C, 351W disguised as a 427.
Posts: 391
|
|
Not Ranked
Although I am not an expert on these cars I did have the opportunity recently to visit Michael Gates in New Britain, CT who is the dealer for these cars. Michael is part of Team C Racing and has a showroom in New Britain. He is also the one who lists these cars on eBay. He is a super nice guy to deal with and is truly intent on making his customers happy.
The car itself is a very nice piece of work. It is a 92" wheelbase car so it has plenty of legroom. The fit and finish of the vehicle in whole was well above what I expected. The car comes complete with tonneau cover, leather interior, carpeted boot (trunk to us Americans) and virtually everything you would require short of the engine and transmission. It eveh has a BMW IRS rear suspension. There is NO heater/defroster installed but that is a simple thing to remedy with one of the aftermarket kits available. The entire engine bay is lined with polished aluminum (might be stainless, can't remember). The ENTIRE exhaust system is polished stainless steel. The car even comes with sidepipe heat shields. Everything is virtually done for you other than installing the engine/trans and cutting the shifter hole in the tunnel and installing the shifter boot. All the wiring is clearly labeled and is pre-terminated for easy hook up. The doors, hood, trunk all have weatherstripping and the interior is 100% complete.
I wish I could have taken a car for a test drive but Michael didn't have any with engine installed when I visited. I really think that if I didn't already have my car finished and on the road I would have seriously considered purchasing one of his cars. In my opinion, balancing cost versus quality and completeness, the Venom Cobra is and should be a very serious contender for anyone wanting such a car for around $30,000 including drive train.
There were only a couple of MINUS marks with this car and they were all because of my personal preferences. First, the windshield frame is polished aluminum instead of chromed brass. It just LOOKS different than an original windshield frame. Second, the name badges on the side fenders say VENOM 427. They can easily be swapped for the Cobra 427 badges. The horn button also bears the VENOM logo as does the repro Halibrand wheel center caps. All of these items are easily swapable to authentic looking pieces. The only other thing I would add would be Cobra badges to the hood and trunk.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. You can also contact Michael via his eBay ad for these cars.
__________________
Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end."
|
Linear Mode
