Best Oz Kit Poll

[Tonus72]

Hi all

I am new to the forum and I am researching my dream of one day building a Cobra kit. I want a car that is classic in style (close to original without being a fanatic), a good weekend car, fun to build from mostly non-donor parts, and not too expensive.

I have never started a poll either - let's see how this goes...

Please vote for your favourite Australian kit.
My other consideration is a Factory Five Racing kit imported from the US.
Arguments for (or against if you are game! maybe PM me...) the nominated kits are welcome too.

Any advice is also appreciated.

[sambo]

Hi Tonus and welcome to the forum. Please define "best".

Best price? Best instruction manual? Best support? Most options?

Most people I imagine will vote for the kit they purchased.

[Tonus72]

Hi Sambo

I suppose I mean best for my purposes - but best replica, plus best chassis, plus best drive, plus best body, plus easiest to build - it is hard to define I know

so maybe 'most popular' would be just as good - and that will cover the people who vote for what they own

if they have it and are happy to vote for it - maybe that answers my question..???

maybe?

Tone

Originally Posted by sambo

Hi Tonus and welcome to the forum. Please define "best".

Best price? Best instruction manual? Best support? Most options?

Most people I imagine will vote for the kit they purchased.

[benny s]

It would appear that you have left out some kit builders.

[PCC]

Tonus,

I would be careful with your Poll results as it is likely to be outweighed by the locality of the builder.

In QLD my preference would be a Harrison even though I have a DRB.

The Harrison body sits well and appears in proportion. Whether it's a better build than a DRB (which I have) I don't know, but aesthetically it just looks better.

Just my view

[Tonus72]

Hi

yeah, sorry - the list is not exhaustive.

I have listed the ones that came up on this the most, and the ones I could find info on.

I notice you have a Kenmer - I could not find much info on them on the net - are you happy with it?

Cheers,

Tone

Originally Posted by benny s

It would appear that you have left out some kit builders.

[Tonus72]

Hi PCC

thanks for that info - an unbiased opinion too which is good !

I thought I might even get some US voters to stack the books !!

I am trying to do a fair bit of research - it was really a way to get some comments from people who own these cars too - what they like and do not like

like you have done - thanks

Harrison looks like a good Cobra.

Ta

Tone

Originally Posted by PCC

Tonus,

I would be careful with your Poll results as it is likely to be outweighed by the locality of the builder.

In QLD my preference would be a Harrison even though I have a DRB.

The Harrison body sits well and appears in proportion. Whether it's a better build than a DRB (which I have) I don't know, but aesthetically it just looks better.

Just my view

[benny s]

I have seen most of the kits you have listed, they all have good and bad points in my opion.I'm happy very happy with mine ,the build has had its highs and lows but most of the kit bolted together without to much fuss.

[750hp]

As I'm also in Qld, I'd follow PCC's lead and get a Harrison - built by Ozvenom

If I was a Mexican, I'd probably get a Classic Revival - built by Aussie Mike

[boxhead]

Tone, a big consideration is support, so depending on where your located may influence your decision, but saying that you will find the support from this site is very good. (and if there are any B-Club Builders groups floating around on your brand you choose)

As I have said to others asking what kit to get, you really need to write up a list of things you want in a kit, then write them down in order of how high on the list they are.
Items to list are body shape, wheel base size, IRS or Live axle, seperate chassis or bonded/riveted body to chassis, size of footwells, required donor parts, a local engineer who can work with you will also be beneficial if he is looking at a kit he has approved in the past, then there is also wheel options and offsets, what type of IRS (Jag with inboard brakes or Nissan/Holden/Falcon), do you want a car that is a pure street car, or are you looking for a circuit racer, or is your preferance drag strip?
There is plenty of things to consider.
So spend a week or 2 thinking about the above items, talk to an engineer (the one your likely to use), and write up a list in order of requirements, then if you still dont know what you want then throw your list on here and I am sure you will get some recomendations.
Then once you have narrowed it down, spend some time and fly/drive walk to the suppliers you have chosen and talk to them face to face, check out there shop, look at cars, kits in teh build process and generally "feel out" the supply, some of them are real abrupt and I have even heard of one who after talking to potential buyers says "go and look at a different supplier - you cant afford to build one of my kits".
Then also once you have narrowed it down pm some of the guys in here who have the kits you like and chat to them, a phone call could save you alot of heartache.

And then at the end of the day remember it is just an expensive toy so enjoy it

[sambo]

Originally Posted by 750hp

As I'm also in Qld, I'd follow PCC's lead and get a Harrison - built by Ozvenom
If I was a Mexican, I'd probably get a Classic Revival - built by Aussie Mike

Well I'm a Mexican with a Harrison part built by Kenmer - just to confuse things!

[Merv and Sharon]

I agree with David (Boxhead) as I made my final decision largely on the issue of experience and support - that is, the kind of person I was dealing with and how available they were.

[Zedn]

I have an RCM kit (not to be confused with RMC). They are made by a gentleman in Melbourne. They use shortened Jag IRS suspension front and rear.

My feedback on the kit would be.
- Needs heaps of work
- Well designed chassis that is easily strong enough for the most powerful V8 you will find.
- Great looking body but has more waves than Botany Bay
- No instructions
- No test results
- Inner guards were bonded in the wrong location
- some air bubbles between the fibreglass and the gelcoat around the edge of the guards.

I bought my kit second hand, but the guy had basically just painted the chassis and installed the door frames. Both of which shouldnt be done before it is rolling.

The kit requires a lot of work, but is cheap. I picked up my body and Chassis for $6k second hand and then another 1500 got me the front and rear end. I think they are under $10k new.

I havent ever spoken to the manufacturer so cant comment on support. I am basically fabricating everything or using parts from hot rod suppliers.

This kit suits me perfectly because i wanted to do the work all myself (not pay for half the body work to be done and doors fitted). Also i have a budget of $40k which i couldnt achieve with most other kits.

There is a guy that has been selling kits on ebay for about 6months. His kit is almost identical to the RCM, is a good price and he has had all chassis testing completed. I communicated with him by email a few times and he appears to be quite helpful.

cheers

[OZCOBRA]

Originally Posted by Zedn

I have an RCM kit (not to be confused with RMC). They are made by a gentleman in Melbourne.

My feedback on the kit would be.
- Needs heaps of work (i had to cut out and reweld part of the frame because it was out by 20mm.
- Well designed chassis that is easily strong enough for the most powerful V8 you will find.
- Great looking body but has more waves than Botany Bay
- No instructions
- No test results
- Inner guards were bonded in the wrong locationmad:
- some air bubbles between the fibreglass and the gelcoat around the edge of the guards.

I havent ever spoken to the manufacturer so cant comment on support.

cheers

IMHO..The fact that it didn't appear on the poll list after his research says alot about it and its manufacturer!!!

OZ

[Tenrocca]

I miss venom0427 - always good for a laugh.

[macloft]

Well I am an American
Resident who works in
Mexcio
and I would personally vote for a
Harrison
as they look damn good and appear really easy to build
just bloody hard to drive from WAAAAAAY over here.
Bugger

Bruce

[OZCOBRA]

Originally Posted by macloft

Well I am an American
Resident who works in
Mexcio
and I would personally vote for a
Harrison
as they look damn good and appear really easy to build
just bloody hard to drive from WAAAAAAY over here.
Bugger

Bruce

Only bloody hard to drive because you guys over there insist on putting the steering wheel on the damn wrong side!!..

[boxhead]

Originally Posted by Tenrocca

I miss venom0427 - always good for a laugh.

Yep, if that is the eBay guy then I would steer clear.

[400TT]

We don't do Cobra kits, but I certainly appreciate being included in the poll. Well I do own a Cobra and have owned quite a few different brands.

Great advice here already.

Certainly worth asking the question as it is invaluable to get owners opinions.

Look around at the different kits yourself and pick the kit that suits you the best. You can't build a cobra kit that can cater for everyones requirements and tastes. And as said previously, make sure the manufacturer is easy to deal with, provides the amount of support you require and has the documentation(both build manual & compliance) to get you to a completed vehicle.

Good luck with it.

[Zedn]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Zedn
I have an RCM kit (not to be confused with RMC). They are made by a gentleman in Melbourne.

My feedback on the kit would be.
- Needs heaps of work (i had to cut out and reweld part of the frame because it was out by 20mm.
- Well designed chassis that is easily strong enough for the most powerful V8 you will find.
- Great looking body but has more waves than Botany Bay
- No instructions
- No test results
- Inner guards were bonded in the wrong locationmad:
- some air bubbles between the fibreglass and the gelcoat around the edge of the guards.

I havent ever spoken to the manufacturer so cant comment on support.

cheers

IMHO..The fact that it didn't appear on the poll list after his research says alot about it and its manufacturer!!!

Yes and i forgot to mention the manufacturer has rubbed a lot of people up the wrong way. Funny OZ, Homebush, and RMC arent on there either yet both are decent kits.