which kit to buy?

polarbear · #1 (**permalink**) 10-15-2003, 01:50 PM

i am sure that this question gets asked quite a bit, but i am not sure what the most recent opinions are regarding the best/worst kits to buy. i do not intend to race at all, and i just want a weekend driver. so far i seem to like classic roadsters and i have spoken with jay and dv. has anyone had recent experience with them either good or bad?

rdorman · #2 (**permalink**) 10-15-2003, 02:15 PM

It would be hard to go wrong with Jay and DV. Both fine people to deal with.

Do some searches here. This topic has been discussed very frequently.

Good luck in your search!

Rick

mrmustang · #3 (**permalink**) 10-15-2003, 02:26 PM

I'll second Rick's post.....DV (that would be Ed Combs) has a top notch reputation......

Bill S.

bittentoo · #4 (**permalink**) 10-15-2003, 02:56 PM

I am in the same boat.....

Looking and calling.....

Called Unique yesterday and spoke with Alan Weaver for almost an hour. Super nice and answered all of my questions. Their cars are are very nice. Definitely give them a call before you decide.

I have seen a Classic in person and it is a very nice car, haven't talked with DV yet, but I will.

Good luck!

Excaliber · #5 (**permalink**) 10-15-2003, 03:06 PM

I'm getting one!!! With luck it will be here in January.

Ernie

Tongue Pirate · #6 (**permalink**) 10-15-2003, 03:32 PM

How much are you willing to spend "realistically"? That will start you out. Another question is how accurate do you want your car to be & what is accurate to you?

There are so many variations of how to build a kit out there. For some people a Shelby may not be the best kit for them even if they can afford it.

decooney · #7 (**permalink**) 10-15-2003, 05:09 PM

While you are checking out kits or turnkeys, you might also want to consider looking at the used Cobra selection out here on the internet. There are several nice cars for sale being sold for a variety of reasons. Not all, but in some cases you can obtain a very nice car at a time and cost savings.

Don't forget Cars For Sale on
- ClubCobra.com
- Cobracountry.com
- eBay (sometimes)
- Hemmings.com
- All the used car sites, traders, etc.
- Inquires on ClubCobra for specific type cars...

Just had a friend buy a very nice SPF on Cobracountry.com and the guy selling it lived right up the street from us. We had no idea the car ever existed, and had never seen it before. Good Luck.

foothills gary · #8 (**permalink**) 10-15-2003, 07:11 PM

Duane,if you were buying a car today based on what you know,and having lived with an ERA,would you buy it again?Dont mean to put you on the spot,but I'm dangerously close to putting a deposit on one and am 99.99 percent sure it's the car that I would want to own forever.However 60k is still enough to give at least me a little pause.I'm feeling just a little of the jitters at this point and need a little reassurance I guess. Thanks! Gary

dkiley · #9 (**permalink**) 10-15-2003, 08:00 PM

Hey rdorman. I've just started researching Cobra kits, stumbled upon this forum and post, then noticed your from Columbus...hi neighbor! I found a company not 20 miles north of me in North Olmsted, OH by the name of Today's Classic Motoring. All the research I've done has still left me wandering what kit is best for ME. How nice would it be to have your car built just miles from your home. Have you heard anything good or bad about these folks?
fyi...I'm not concerned about getting an absolutely historically accurate kit. I can and am willing to do quite a bit of assembly myself. I am concerned about handling(body flex) and safety but will never race the car. Will most likely put a SB Chevy 383 fuel injected motor in it. I'm 6'0 tall and don't appreciate being crammed into a car...wait a minute...I could stand being crammed into a Cobra. I've noticed some makes can be ordered longer and wider. I guess what I'm getting at is this. There are too many choices. Can I go with a local builder that SEEMS(?) to have their s**t together and not be dissapointed later, having already spent $15,000+? P.S. Sorry about the long-winded post.

Cobra #42 · #10 (**permalink**) 10-15-2003, 08:09 PM

Polarbear, Your question is a good one, but there are many good Cobras new and used on the market.

I think the first thing you need to decide is do you want to build a car, for enjoyment, or do you want to own a Cobra.

I built my car and if I knew then, what I know now I would bought a SPF. At times the build was fun, but sometimes it wasn't, I went over my budget which I think alot of people do. So get used to it, it's worth it.

The greatest enjoyment by far that I have had with my Cobra is the people. I have met some of the greatest people in the world. I would never met them without having the common interest in a Cobra. So with that said, skip the build and move to the fun part, going different places with your friends or future friends and their Cobras.
Thanks, db

decooney · #11 (**permalink**) 10-15-2003, 09:04 PM

Hi Gary,
I started to type you a long response and deleted it. The answer is short and simple. If you are passionate about cars, quality, and now Cobras, every day you wait is another day lost. I cannot begin to describe how pleased I am with my car. $60K is peanuts compared to the enjoyment I get from the car and the people that I've met because of my 1st and 2nd Cobras. You live close, and need to come down and see them side by side at one of our gatherings. We'll line 'em up for you side by side: Butler/Arntz, SPF, ERA, Unique, FFR. I think you already know the answer. The only risk in life is waiting. Read my signature tag below. I put it there specifically to help answer this question.

polarbear · #12 (**permalink**) 10-15-2003, 09:18 PM

dkiley - i have already contacted and spoke with today's classics. they are closing their doors in january. ray told me to check out classics by elite in columbus, oh. they are now the owners of classic roadsters. my son and i drove from pittsburgh to their shop on tuesday, and they could not have been any nicer. ed "dv" combs was very informative and i came away with the impression that his body work is amazing. jay and ed both seem to be very honest. i am a larger guy and their body/frame design fit me very well.

i am not concerned with being exactly historically accurate and i like the 4" longer door. does any other manufacturer have a similiar desing?

foothills gary · #13 (**permalink**) 10-15-2003, 11:12 PM

Thanks,Duane!When and where does the group typically meet down your way?I would like to hook up sometime soon.The folks at ERA have been very accomodating,and the deposit is refundable up until the build starts,so there is no reason logically not to forge ahead.I appreciate the reassurance!

Snake · #14 (**permalink**) 10-15-2003, 11:22 PM

Hey polarbear! I just like to tell you that I built a Classic Roadsters Cobra...It took me 3 yrs to build...not long as I bought all the parts over the internet for this same Cobra kit..and was not conserned about how long it would take me. It was just about....finaly having a Cobra that I built.

Now....If it wasn't for Ed Combs and, Don Scott. The new proud owners of CRII, that helped me threw my build....I mean all the stupid, and dumb question you could ask....they came threw with all the help I need to finish my build...and, that is what your paying for. Honest and reliable people to work with, as you build your Cobra...I'm not going to go on and try to build them up...everybody knows they are great people to deal with and would give the shirt off there backs to help you.
So that being said. I'll tell you what I liked about the CR Cobra.
I like the Classic Roadsters Cobra because of a few reasons.
1) I like the size of it.
2) I like the bigger cock-pit area.
3) I like my battery in with my engine.
4) I like the trunk space.
5) I like looking threw the windshield and not over it.

But most of all...... I like the looks and smiles it brings to other people.
That makes me feel good about my choice and, I made it myself.
Sorry about the long thread..but I had to say it...if you want, you can go to my gallery and, see my Cobra. I'm proud of my choice!
Thanks for listening.
Snake/Gerry.
P.S. There are alot of great Cobra kits out there and, some great people too...this is my opinion on my choice...you will have to make up your own mind on what is right for you.
Latter Buddy and make it a good one.

Jim Colman · #15 (**permalink**) 10-16-2003, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by polarbear

dkiley - i have already contacted and spoke with today's classics. they are closing their doors in january. ray told me to check out classics by elite in columbus, oh. they are now the owners of classic roadsters. my son and i drove from pittsburgh to their shop on tuesday, and they could not have been any nicer. ed "dv" combs was very informative and i came away with the impression that his body work is amazing. jay and ed both seem to be very honest. i am a larger guy and their body/frame design fit me very well.

i am not concerned with being exactly historically accurate and i like the 4" longer door. does any other manufacturer have a similiar desing?

Midstates offers a "big boy" version of their car. The body is quite accurate, strong and the wheelbase is not lengthened. They have designed the drivers seat so a 6' + guy can easily sit in the car. Bob Kalilo at Midstates is one of the best and their product is topnotch. Call him before you decide on anything.

Jim

Jack21 · #16 (**permalink**) 10-16-2003, 12:21 PM

Which kit should I get? Well, this is like asking do you like tall leggy brunettes, or short busty blondes?

There is no simple answer. It's all a matter of personal preferences. What this forum allows you to do is find out where local Cobras gather, talk to builders and owners, and see for yourself what you like.

Personally, I love this Classic Roadsters. It's a solid piece of work. Some attributable to the CR design and fabrication, some attributable to my own mechanical, electrical, and engineering skills; and some to the help I received on this forum. I mean the frame alone on this car would embarass an F150 pickup.

The downside is the car is not dimensionally accurate. This is both a plus, and a minus. The dimensional changes make for a lot more driver comfort and component installation ease. Also, the car does not currently have an independent rear suspension (IRS) option. The factory parts shopping guide leaves a lot to be desired. The assembly manual needs updating and improvement.

The good news is Classic Roadsters is no longer Gary Rutherfords' Leisure Industries (fiberglass boats) stepchild. Classic Roadsters II is now owned by Don Scott of Minnesota Classics, and supported by Ed Combs (DV) of Classics by Elite. These guys have years of experience building street rods and Cobras, and years of frustration with Classic Roadsters the Corporation. It's now payback time, these folks are doing it right, and we Cobra builders are getting the benefit of this experience.

The other side of the coin is Factory Five (FFR). Capital Area Cobra Club has about two dozen cars, and over half are Factory Five.

Unlike CR, and many other Cobra kits, FFR uses all late model Ford Mustang components (as opposed to '74 - '78 Mustang - Pinto suspensions). So most FFR's have EFI motors, late Mustang front suspension and brakes, and late independent rear suspension (IRS) and brakes.

FFR's tend to favor small block motors. There are better kits for FE motored cars. That being said, if racing is your game, FE motored cars with less sophisticated suspensions will see the FFR's taillights more often than not. 302 strokers (327, 331, 347) with superchargers are running 8's, 9's, and 10's, and these are daily drivers that get 22 MPG on the highway. Downside? More like the original 289 and 427 Cobras somewhat Spartan interiors, creature comforts are not this cars strong suite.

This CR is teriffic on road trips as well as daily commuting, and grocery getting. The closest it will get to a racetrack is the Interstate (Freeway) interchange.

The admiration and oogling takes a little getting used to. Be humble, and say "Thank you" when people oogle your car and ask you questions about it. Honestly, no other car on the street invokes this kind of attention and interest.

SSSnake · #17 (**permalink**) 10-16-2003, 12:46 PM

Polarbear,

Where in the pittsburgh area are you located?

Glenn

Edley Rondinone · #18 (**permalink**) 10-16-2003, 06:45 PM

I vote for leggy brunettes!!! lol !!! Leggy redheads even better!!

polarbear · #19 (**permalink**) 10-16-2003, 08:55 PM

glenn,

i live in churchill, and you? how do you like your ERA? do you race it?

decooney · #20 (**permalink**) 10-16-2003, 09:23 PM

Hmmm, now that you guys brought it up...

I vote for short legs, tall torso, long neck, and white hair with a bad temper!