AC Aurora Cobra questions

sheldon smith · #1 (**permalink**) 03-05-2008, 09:51 AM

Does anyone know the value or value-relationship of the AC Aurora Cobra made in 1980 to the rest of the Cobra marks? Are they collectable? Do they drive and perform well? or are they just a Ford-made wanabe.

lust4fia · #2 (**permalink**) 03-05-2008, 10:57 AM

aurora cobra: shelby cobra replica for sale

They were a Canadian built replica that was DOT and EPA appproved. Looks like a pretty solid frame and a pretty accurate slabside body and came with IRS. There are a few obvious differences from originals; full width roll bar, padding around cockpit, kind of an odd dashboard. Another thing I've noticed is the bumpers are set out from the body further, probably for DOT crash worthiness or to meet the 5 MPH bumper requirement.

Excaliber · #3 (**permalink**) 03-05-2008, 12:17 PM

Small, comes to mind. Being a slab side there are more or less true to the original deminsions, tight fit. Many of them (most) ran the limited edition 'look like' a top loader 4 speed where 4th gear is actually over drive. An interesting trans for gas mileage, but fairly weak. A well built small block would eat it for lunch. This was the trans inbetween the true top loader being phased out and the 'new' T5 soon to come.

The ones I have seen are 'showing their age'. It's an interesting replica and has it's place in the replica market being as it is a 'real' car, Fed and DOT approved in many cases. Excalibur and AC are the only other brands to also meet Fed and DOT standards are essentially 'real' cars. Never offered in kit form, turn key only, sold through dealerships. This could be a plus for registering in Calif. HOW EVER, most have been 'de-smogged' and it could cost a bunch returning it to original specs (for Calif).

Keep it stock (don't wanna blow the tranny) and enjoy it for what it is, a limited production factory built replica on the small side. I suspect market value is somewhere around $25K, more for a really nice one, less if it's trashed. Not really a 'collectible' but they have a following.

I seriously considered buying one briefy, but the performance was less than spectacular, so I passed.

This thread belongs in "All Cobra Talk" not the lounge (by the way).

computerworks · #4 (**permalink**) 03-05-2008, 01:23 PM

Mod Note... moved to All Cobra Talk

poweredbyford · #5 (**permalink**) 03-06-2008, 07:16 PM

Hi,
For more info on these cars go to www.AuroraCobra.org The cars are true in size and shape to the early slabsides and are very tight in the footboxes.The were really well built with the finest materials and yes they were smogged but the car wasn't a bunch of parts and pieces from here and there but an engineered product that did quite well out of the box in SCCA racing.

They are Cobra replicas but are "real" production cars that had to meet all of the DOT and smog requirements of the day (early eighties) like all other auto manufacturers.

Back in the day a new Vette was around 14K while these were about 40K with a real CSX slabside being around the 40K mark at the time.

There were two models with the first run of cars from #1 thru about #70 being GRX models and the rest being MKII versions thru the final run of about 170 cars built. The GRX's had a modified Corvette IRS with inboard brakes with the MKII having a Jag IRS. The later cars also had air as an option as well as some other upgrades.Both were constructed on a cutting edge two-tier space frame similiar to NASCAR chassis with fully independ single coil over adjustable suspensions,double tubular bars under the dash and extending down around the footboxes for side impact protect of ones legs as well as rigid steel beams built into the doors for the same. Cars came with soft tops and side curtains and full leather cockpits and took about 450 man hrs. to construct.

Prices for a really nice one are as high as 35-40K and here in New York my 1981 bristling with go fast goodies and no smog equipment only has to pass a safety only inspection being over twenty five years old.

The slabsides for many aren't the Cobra of choice but if they are you just can't beat what the Aurora offers in terms of performance and fun for the dollar.

My car is fitted with a crate 302 350 H.P. engine and five speed and at 2000 lbs. it's just a blast to drive and it really gets a ton of attention. FUN FUN car!

Dale