What type of car is this. Urgent.

Davide Monroe · #1 (**permalink**) 03-22-2009, 11:01 AM

Hi guys, i'm Davide Monroe from the island of mauritius, i have several vauxhall collection cars but this one is intriguing me. Can some people give me their point of view on this car, i'm sure there are specialists over there, so can you help me with this please.

Thank you

poboy427 · #2 (**permalink**) 03-22-2009, 12:22 PM

Just to get discussion started, my observations.

It surely is a Cobra copy on the front. Looks to me to have been built after the 427 Cobra came on the scene looking at the size/shape mouth of the car. Also the oil cooler inlet looks Cobra. The front flairs are grossly exaggerated to the rear. Hood looks almost Super Cobra.

Looking at the LR taillight it looks like rust weeping-looks to be a steel car. The license plate area looks like it was never intended for US nor was it likely built in US. Interesting to look at.

Just curious, is the car located on your island or elsewhere in the world?

tkb289 · #3 (**permalink**) 03-22-2009, 12:54 PM

Davide,

My guess is some kind of Cobra / TVR???

It does not look like any Cobra I have seen ... to me, the front looks kind of like a 289 FIA Cobra, with the side strakes lifted from a Testarossa and the rear from a TVR (based on the unusual shape of the tail lights). Mauritius has right hand drive cars, is this car setup for right hand drive?

Is the car steel or fiberglass ? If it's fiberglass, the red stains in the tail lamps and license area may be dust?

It also looks like the trunk lid is set up for a third brake light. If so, it's probably newer than 1986, as that is when third brake lights were started in the United States.

I am sure someone in CC will come up with exactly what this is, just some observations.

- Tim

poboy427 · #4 (**permalink**) 03-22-2009, 01:07 PM

Does it look like the car has been finished at one time? Any pics under the hood available? The door handle area looks similar to a 72 Pantera I once had.

Looks like a MGB GT next to it.

Blas · #5 (**permalink**) 03-22-2009, 03:52 PM

Kinda reminds me of something I saw an ad for once.
Does a "ATTACK COBRA" ring any bells with anyone?
Somewhere I have an ad for one..I'll keep looking...

Buzz · #6 (**permalink**) 03-22-2009, 05:48 PM

Don't get too excited, Davide - It is not likely to be anything of real value Cobra-wise anyway. One poster mentioned the "Attack Cobra" which was a bizzarre, winged, flared and spoilered replica produced by a company called Elegant Motors. This isn't one of those. Quite likely, it is a one-off/hybrid with Cobra-like panels and parts grafted onto another car. Still interesting, though - post some more pictures so we can try to figure out exactly what it is. Depending on what's under the bodywork, you may still be able to finish it into an interesting and fun hot rod.

Davide Monroe · #7 (**permalink**) 03-23-2009, 12:56 PM

thanks for the info guys. I'm still looking for the evidence of such a car in another country but my research are going no where. This picture was taken in Mauritius by myself, the engine is a 4 cylinders 1600cc, not a cobra's requirements though. But i would like to have your advise on whether buying this car or not, what are the good features of such a car, can i still modify it to a shelby cobra 427, or leave it as such?

tkb289 · #8 (**permalink**) 03-23-2009, 01:33 PM

Davide,

If the frame was designed around a 4 cyl motor, there could be a lot of modification needed to enable the use of a V8. There is also the rest of the running gear to consider as well ... transmission, differential and brakes.

If the car was designed around a V8 and set up for that, then it's a different story.

If you want a Cobra replica, then I would suggest looking into a well established brand, as can be found all over this web site.

If you want what appears to be a one of a kind hybrid looking sports car and you have the money and inspiration to put it together, then it could be a unique project.

One way to help make the decision is the following: Assuming the cost is the same ... imagine this car, all finished and running, sitting next to a well built Cobra replica all finished and running .... which one would you want to own and drive?

I know what I would choose, but that's no important ... it's what you want that matters.

Hope this helps.

- Tim

trularin · #9 (**permalink**) 03-23-2009, 01:43 PM

The entire car doesn't look right.

If you were given it for free, you would need to put a lot of money into it to get it close to looking right...for a Cobra.

However, there are kids with their father's pocket books that may just see past how bad it looks and see beauty. It is all in the eyes of the beholder.

Buzz · #10 (**permalink**) 03-23-2009, 04:50 PM

Don't be put off by the apparent negativity, Davide - there generally is not a lot of interest here in anything that strays too far from the "correct" appearance of a Cobra. That's understandable since this is a Cobra forum but you came here for help and we'll make sure you get it.

Looking at the body, I for one would say trying to convert it into an accurate appearing Cobra would probably not be worth the effort. If you can get us some pics or info on what its based on, whether its a custom chassis or on a production car, there is a good knowledge base here that goes beyond Cobras that may help you determine what the buildup potential is. Like I said before, you could end up with an interesting car in the end. If you really want a Cobra, you may want to look at something else and we can help you with that too.