kit car ratings

[jackmi]

I'm sure I'm not the first to ask this question, is there a thread that ranks the Cobra kits , old and new, by manufacturer? If not, could I get opinions? Thanks, Jack.

[vettestr]

Jackmi,
The answer is always the same and always right! MINE is the best no matter who you ask.

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by jackmi

I'm sure I'm not the first to ask this question, is there a thread that ranks the Cobra kits , old and new, by manufacturer? If not, could I get opinions? Thanks, Jack.

What is your budget?
What is your intended use (daily driver, autocross, road race, drag race, or just Sunday driver?
Do you want a big block or a small block?
Do you want a Ford or "alternate" power plant?
Automatic or stick shift?
Do you want a 427SC, 289FIA, or slabside body style?




Answer these simple questions and perhaps we can help you whittle down your selection(s).



Bill S.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by vettestr

Jackmi,
The answer is always the same and always right! MINE is the best no matter who you ask.

No, the FFR guys don't even try that anymore.

[jmimac351]

Originally Posted by patrickt

No, the FFR guys don't even try that anymore.

http://jmimac351.smugmug.com/gallery...22307634_jaGNE

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by jmimac351

http://jmimac351.smugmug.com/gallery...22307634_jaGNE

Yours is the "exception that proves the rule."

[JAM1775]

patrickt....I did not see any reference to "FFR guys" in the statement by vettestr. Rather than turn jackmi's thread in the wrong direction .....

I'd like to agree with each of Bill's comments as solid baseline considerations. If I may add you may want to start by contacting the major manufacturers for their brochures and marketing DVD's. Start at the websites. ...call...consider visiting a company if time allows.
But hey...there's nothing wrong with spreading those brochures across the table on a summer afternoon ! Take your time..don't rush..enjoy the fact you have the options to pursue such an awesome goal !

Besides concerns already mentioned, how much work you want to put into the build or pay/participate in having it built by a local race shop, how much money you can afford to spend and how owners in your area express their satisfaction with their company are key factors in your decision. The worst thing for any home build is not having good customer support and technical advice when you call for help! A good start is obviously NOT choosing a manufacturer who has a frustrated customer base. You can meet Cobra replica owners at most local cruise nights. Ask the questions. Half the time Cobra owners are approached at gas pumps or outside a local store. In my area it's a given on a sunny weekend afternoon. Most guys love to spend 5+ minutes talking about their Cobras, hot rods or musclecars. You learn a lot about different kits while narrowing your decision talking to these guys. At cruise nights guys sitting near their Cobras ( or better yet groups of Cobra owners) at cruise nights are usually more than happy to talk you to death about their cars ! And....very likely you establish friendships for when you are doing the driving down the road !

[767Jockey]

To me it always comes down to a few key issues:
Build vs. buy
Budget
Round vs. square frame
IRS vs. Solid rear
Original body shape vs one that takes "liberties"
Need for overall "originality"

Once you solve these questions, the rest falls into pace pretty quickly...there are very few "bad" marques out there anymore, it's just that some fit into what you want better than others. What's important to me may not be very important to you at all - this is why I cringe every time I see the prevalent "buy what I have, it's the BEST" attitude so common on here. See as many makes as you can, answer the above questions as well as those that Mr. Mustang poses, and decide what's best for YOU, not for someone else.

Good luck, a large part of the fun is in the journey!

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by JAM1775

patrickt....I did not see any reference to "FFR guys" in the statement by vettestr. Rather than turn jackmi's thread in the wrong direction .....

I was merely complimenting jmimac351's build. In the world of FFRs his is the proverbial "breath of fresh air." Similar to the tree that grows in Brooklyn and the rose in Spanish Harlem....

[767Jockey]

I have to say, jmimac351's FFR is among the nicest FFR's that I have seen. Outstanding job, VERY nice.

[Maricopa]

It's not all that hard to build an FFR that looks like a C*bra, you just have to WANT to.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Maricopa

It's not all that hard to build an FFR that looks like a C*bra, you just have to WANT to.

Which begs the question "why don't more FFR owners build cars to that level?" Clearly the plethora of poor FFR builds must be an outgrowth of the apathy of the owner.

[Maricopa]

They're not 'poor' builds, most of the FFR cars I see are built very well. They are just of a different mindset when it comes to 'REAL-ness' and the owners often choose FFR because they can build a fun car for about 1/2 of what the typical ERA guy spends on his. I only have about 27K in mine and there are many things I would have done differently (like IRS, pin-drive wheels, FE, etc.) if I'd had the bucks. I did what I could with what I had with the intention of making a fairly accurate looking car. Many FFR owners don't care about re-creating the look, that doesn't make them lesser cars.

That said, when a good 75% of any grouping of Cobras are FFRs you're going to see a wide range of quality of build.

[Dinobyte]

I need more detail to finish...but you get the idea.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Maricopa

They're not 'poor' builds, most of the FFR cars I see are built very well...

You're absolutely right. Not sure what came over me.

[jmimac351]

Thanks fellas. I ask myself why there aren't more like it all the time. I can't tell you how many messages I get from FFR guys about it yet time and again the same 17" / Cobra R wheel look appears on the forum. I didn't do anything special. I copied the Comp dash layout, covered it in vinyl, and put Goodyear Billboards on it with knock off wheels. Matter of fact, I did a lot of things under the hood I wish I hadn't (chrome alternator, etc.). If FFR would come out with a 289 car I'd be all over it, do it "right", and it would be a keeper. I'd probably even throw rocks at it to give it some patina.

[RACERAL]

SO, Patrick... go ahead and do your little rant about how bad FFR's are , it seems you are just busting at the seams to start the discussion.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by RACERAL

SO, Patrick... go ahead and do your little rant about how bad FFR's are , it seems you are just busting at the seams to start the discussion.

No, I'm going to take the "high road" this evening and instead simply compliment the two fine cars in this thread.

[Got the Bug]

Originally Posted by patrickt

No, I'm going to take the "high road" this evening and instead simply compliment the two fine cars in this thread.

You mean you're not getting an eye twitch or nervous tick over the fact that Maricopa's car has zero roll bars vs. two. I know, I know, those crazy SOBs who go street trim.

[ENTDOC]

I personally feel that the top 6 cars are all good, no bad apples in the bunch, in fact there are more than 6 that fit that description these days, but my choices would be.. CSX (aluminum), Kirkham, CSX (fiberglass), ERA, SPF, Unique, FFR