Shelby not the first Cobra ACE Bristol

[Don]

Bryan, appears the design of the front end on the coupe more closely resembles the AC than the roadster.

Still wonder how the designation of Cobra originated with the Buchanans. Does that mean someone having claim to the ownership of the original Buchanan Company has first historic rights to the model designation of Cobra ?

[FiaCobra]

Normo,

Could you post some pics of your Buchanan Cobra? I would love to see it. Is yours in running shape or under going a restore?

[Bryan Wilson]

I agree it certainly needs a lot of TLC a big project that we are finding we don't have enough time to devote to it.
The front view in the add shows the headlights have been frenched by a previous owner well they have now been restored to the original position.
Cheers,
Bryan

[normo]

well Don I got your email. I bought my buchanan from the son of the original owner who bought the very first buchanan in 1958.
My Buchanan is under restoration. I will need to take photos of the car, I have already posted pics of the compliance plate.
normo

[Buchanan Cobra]

Hi first post
I own a Buchanan Cobra too.

Can anyone see any similarity with the car for sale [said to be a Buchanan Cobra] and the photos of the cobras owned by Paul and Normo....No?

well unless someone has done some amazing body conversions...?????????

I also own a true Buchanan Cobra.[a lot of people who own Buchanan bodies seem to call them Cobras...but they are not they are Buchanan Bodies.]

Bryan..is this a car advert you found or your car you are selling.

Its definately not a Buchanan Cobra as can be seen by comparing the photos in this thread.
I am not "as" familar with the Buchanan Body that was sold as a replacement body to fit many different chassis.

But looking at my Australian sportscar book by Mike Mc Carthy it little resembles the Buchanan Body which was a copy of the Aston .
The only thing that looks similar is the bonnet scoop but the bonnet look skinnier [hard to tell],the front nose looks longer...but i guess it could be a modified Buchanan body [the frenched headlights and the photo from the top make it look sleeker and the nose longer]..the front guards are usually bulgier but looking from top may be deceptive.] ...although i cant see a fast back like that being designed back in Buchanan's day although the last 45 bodies sold were marketed by J and S bodies so maybe they updated the rear??

so it isnt a Cobra but is it a Buchanan Holden...Ie. often named after the running gear.
The front looks like it could be modified from a Buchanan body but i wouldnt have thought that rear , unless J&S did some serious redesign.Its interesting either way.

bryan does it carry a Buchanan ID plate of any type...its still a good looking shape.And i love to know more about it.


Hi Paul...we have spoken before...Normo I dont think we have crossed paths yet???

[Buchanan Cobra]

Originally Posted by Excaliber

Wow, it sure looks 'tiny'. But then again, the early 289 cars were not exactly 'roomy'.

hee hee

tiny .....its the largest of my three Australian sports cars I own...the other 2 being a Goggomobil Dart and a Ligthburn Zeta sports...now they are tiny.

the Buchanan Cobra is I'd say longer than a Midget maybe nudging between that and a MGB so not really small.Probaly close to a triumph spitfire or herald.Not small in British car terms or 1959 Australian car terms as we were surrounded by british cars.
Only weathy business men or mobsters had current american cars in Australia in the 50's..tee hee.

Its definately bigger than a sprite it is probably close to my Bond Equipe GT4 which is triumph herald based,.

Cant tell you how it goes because unfortunately mine is unrestored like most of my cars except my Goggo Dart is restored [unfortunately my health precludes me from driving that as the two stroke fumes make me very sick....damn]

So why worry about a name.. look how many cars have been called DART...
Goggo Dart,Dodge dart,Daimler dart
it wasnt the Buchanan Cobra that made "Cobra" famous was it.

the problem it creates to a Buchanan Cobra owner is I have to over explain everything otherwise they think it is the well known Cobra...especially when I say its an original 1959 Buchanan Cobra.thier eyes light up.... and then I go thru the explaining and they look confused or suddenly not interested.
The other problem is those who think its a Buchanan Body, as they invariably think all Buchanans were Cobras.

But hey what a conversation starter...tee hee.

It is a body style I've always wanted...and i hope health permitting I may see it on the road.[i dont see any direct copying/moulding off any other car...I too thought it was Buchanans own design...??]

[normo]

Nat Buchanan used the Ace to mold his body for the Australian car. It is a real shame that he only used the Standard 10 engine, although nowdays 4 cylinders can give an 8 a run for its money ( holds ears waiting for the replies to come)

[Buchanan Cobra]

hi normo

i believe we have crossed paths before meeting on the triumph website
exchanging photos of our cars
hows it going.

[pgregoire]

my grandfather came up with the name [ cobra] and soon after starting to make them was told by, ford, i think, that the name was already registered..........alas, i may well have been very wealthy today. nat was a legend, he also owned the first winner in the sydney to newcastle b.p ocean classic .

[PANAVIA]

Note - there are a smattering of CSX 3xxx frames still tied up in litigation.....and stuck in storage....

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by PANAVIA

Note - there are a smattering of CSX 3xxx frames still tied up in litigation.....and stuck in storage....

You did notice the last post (before the trolls post) was dated


06-10-2007

[tcrist]

Hell Bill, it is still an interesting thread. If the "troll" had not posted on it I probably never would have read it.

[mdross1]

Thankfully my car is a fiberglass replicar,built by me (a perfectionist) for me and will always be a Cobra no matter the lineage.

[normo]

Who is the troll?