Total Beginner, looking for advice.

[The_Militia]

I am new to the whole build a car from a kit idea. I am a 19 year old college student who has loved the 427 Cobra since I first saw it about ten years ago. I want to build one when I get out of school in three years, but I have absolutely no experience in cars at all. I am learning to weld this year due to my major being mechanical engineering. My inexperience is the reason that I want to learn about the whole kit-building process three years prior to even thinking about building one.

Where would I start to learn about certain processes of car-building? What would be some other skills that I would need to learn other than welding, ie. machinig? What kind of welding would be the best to learn? And generally any other comments or points would be very helpfull.

Thank you.

[DownTown]

WHile you have the time before starting in on your own car take some time and go to local Cobra shows and gatherings. You need the relationship of those who are in the clubs and members of organizations who have the time and sweat in on building their own cars. They have the knuckle scrapping experiences and the long duration of hours invested in their love for this car. If you truly want to learn the right way of doing this I suggest that you humble yourself and throw that into being a dry sponge and go and spend time with those who have walked the walk per say and absorb as much of them as you can. You can read all the books out there and not have the real life oil on your hands and it just takes away from the experience. To truly do this it takes time and a passion for this car that will frustrate you and make you smile all at the same time. Start involoving yourself and getting an idea of which model of Cabra you want to build and how much of the original parts do you want to incorporate into your own car. Good Luck

[SPEEDEAMON]

DownTown is right. I would definitely read the books, see the cars and become friends with those who built their cars, but also get a part time job at a local garage or a body shop, even if it's sweeping the floors. You can help the mechanics and body men and learn how a car is dissasembled and put together. You can watch how they're wrenched, welded, prepared and finished, and see what tools are needed to do the job right. You have the time so go get the job now.

[REDSC400]

My advice would be to find some folks in your area who are currently in the build process of a Cobra and add an extra set of hands. Net net, you will learn alot and get some first hand experience.

Also, there are some towns and cities that offer Adult Education classes in the Public School systems at a very inexpensive price. Some of these classes are Automobile oriented, there are others on welding, etc.

Cheers

[foothills gary]

If you've built model cars as a kid,you could probably put a car together.Even the wiring on a Cobra is not that complex.The Factory Five Cobra,for example, essentially transfers the essentials from a '86 to'93 mustang to their very reasonably priced,quality kit.Not too much welding is required.My daughter may be interested in building her own Cobra with her old Dad when she graduates college,and this is probably where we will start(she is 19 now).

[vegan2]

First, gather the money! In the time in takes to do that, follow the advice noted above.

[mr0077]

Militia, Downtown is right, take advantage of those that "been there, done that". Hanging out with the Cobra club guys will also help you decide what you like or don't like in a kit, and what you can afford in one of these. The better the kit, the more of a bolt-together, "some assembly required" kind of experience (and, the more it will cost). If you go with a budget kit, you should plan on solving some of the "problems" involved with the assembly and completion of the kit. The more "authentic" (what's that?), the more it will cost.
When I did my first Cobra kit, because I thought I knew a LOT about cars, I did a budget approach. HA! I had to do welding, fiberglas work, painting, upholstry, fuel tank fabrication, fuel line routing, brake line fab and routing, etc., etc. My second kit was absolutely a bolt-up operation, with all the engineering done. Do you want to use some of that mechanical engineering training? You might enjoy some of the problem-solving that a less complete kit would require...but if you don't have extensive hands-on experience working on cars, you will probably have to rely on the guys that have already solved the various problems...
Damn, did that make a BIT of sense to anybody?
These guys here at the forum can be a priceless source of answers to just about any question you can think of.
Good luck!

[The_Militia]

Thanks for all the replies, they are very helpful. As for one of the main decisions I would have to make, the type of cobra, can anyone explain to me the main differences mechanically and aesthetically between the different types?

[Mr.Fixit]

Start hanging out with local car guys, be free labor, and you'll learn a lot. If you have never done any car repair ever, you have a lot to learn. Start saving, paying for these toys can be the hardest part, that's why most coba owners are closer to 50 than 20.

[The_Militia]

Also, what would be the most bolt-up kit there is? I think this would be the best way for me to go for my first kit-car.

[Wayne Maybury]

Try doing a few searches here using slightly different wording such as "best kit", "which kit", etc. These questions have been asked and answered many times. The search function will turn up lots of information.

Generally welding isn't a major consideration unless you want to fabricate certain parts yourself. When I ordered my car, I specified which type of engine, tranny, differential, etc I would be running. All of the necessary mounts were welded in place before the frame was powder coated.

Have fun,
Wayne

[FFR428]

FFR works with Mott College which is a build school for those who are building a FFR cobra. This is a hands on class and they cover the complete build over a three day period. The class will give you a good feel for the build. Keep in mind this class only applies to the FFR cars. As otherwise stated look for someone in your area building a car and see if you can join in. Good luck and BTW where are you located? G.

[The_Militia]

Wow, getting a lot of good responses, thanks for your time guys. I'm located in Massachusetts. I did look at that college build school on the website and it seemed like a good idea for me to do. Last question I have is the difference between the models of cobras. It seems like there are a lot of different models, but I haven't really been able to tell the difference between them.

[Excaliber]

It takes time to get that "discerning eye" for many of the subtle differences. Some are are more obvious than others.

Heres something to look for:
Bolt on or "knock off" wheels? How "orginal" do the wheels look? STUDY the original Cobras, use that as a "base line" to compare.

Hood scoops. Some are wider and taller than others. Compare to the 66 427 Cobra model.

Flared or not flared fenders? Original cars came BOTH ways, in fact the original cars had a wide variety of differences.

Perhaps the place to start is to understand the differences in the "real" Cobras THEN you will have a "base line" to compare the replicas.

New "alloy" Shelbys and Kirkhams are very very accurate in detail.

Ernie

[BMK]

Hey what great advice!!



Your on the right forum.



Just keep looking here, and making new friends here. Visit factories and events and you will change your mind a million times.



What type of car?

What set up?

What colour etc??

Have fun finding out. There are plenty of us old guys here to help. Just look at some of the photos of them and their cars.



That alone will take ages.



Cheers

Bernie

Bernie Knight
Mt. Gambier South Australia.