Robnell History

[ptrefry]

Does anyone know the history of the Robnell cobras ?
Thanks

[Merv and Sharon]

Russ Barwick here would know it all. Not sure if he is a CCCA member however. Will post him the thread.

[Buzz]

I'd love to hear more about the Robnell Cobras as well.

[byroncobra]

Interestingly, just opened this months Uniquecars mag, ad reads thus:

Robnell 302SC Series1, #1, 1985, handmade by Carrol Shelby, owned by Rene Rivkin, Amoco featured, etc etc. $350 000.00

[Merv and Sharon]

Interesting provenance that car! Russ Barwick up here has a nice big-block (8.5L) Robnell. It is number 46 of 70 made (the car is not painted - that is the gel coat!). He is making enquiries re the history but suggests if someone really wants to know the full story to contact Rob Darnell.

[Aussie Mike]

Originally Posted by byroncobra

Interestingly, just opened this months Uniquecars mag, ad reads thus:

Robnell 302SC Series1, #1, 1985, handmade by Carrol Shelby, owned by Rene Rivkin, Amoco featured, etc etc. $350 000.00

"handmade by Carrol Shelby" WTF is this bloke on about

Ol' Carrol popped down to Australia on holiday back in the 80's and twirled the spanners on this thing? To quote the castle "Tell him he's dreaming".

[STEPHEN BROHOLM]

Originally Posted by byroncobra

Interestingly, just opened this months Uniquecars mag, ad reads thus:

Robnell 302SC Series1, #1, 1985, handmade by Carrol Shelby, owned by Rene Rivkin, Amoco featured, etc etc. $350 000.00

I still remember when this very car was for sale something like 9-10 years ago within Unique cars for around $45,000 or so.

Talk about trying to talk it up to turn a ridiculous profit.

I think Stef has met the owner of Robnell No.1 and can shed a bit more light.

[byroncobra]

Yeah Mike, I had a chuckle at the Shelby ref as well. I did paraphrase a little, Robert Darnell was mentioned as the co-builder, and 'offered for the first time in 15 years'.
I guess you can't blame the guy for trying........

[Merv and Sharon]

And in 2008 http://www.shannons.com.au/auctions/...582PFNMUE96383

[Aussie Mike]

I think I saw Robnell #1 for sale a few years back at The Classic Throttle Shop in North Sydney (Under the end of the Harbor bridge). I haven't seen the Unique cars add but the car at the shop was red.

Cheers

[Dimis]

Originally Posted by Merv and Sharon

And in 2008 http://www.shannons.com.au/auctions/...582PFNMUE96383

007 above.. I believe sold to a bloke in NSW in 2008.
...and If i recall (cos I was looking) he is trying to move it on again, and had it back at shannons auction house Sydney, mid last year, where it got passed in... and now is listed on another site for private sale.

001 was also for sale, and as Mike said, at CTS in Sydney, with white wall tyres of all things, about a couple years back, if I recall (again, cos I was looking).

I believe the "Robnell" name is owned by the motec mob... but that I don't know for sure.
Just rumour mill stuff. Can some else can verify!

I new the business was for sale back in the day (very late 90s), B/c I considered buying it... problem was - I was still at uni, and when dad gave a look over the numbers, his wise business sense told me what I already new...
That I was thinking with my heart & not with my head. He told me to look for a more "profitable business" to waste my money on.
True story!

At the time It was up for sale for about 120K, and that included a fully registered Ford 4.6lt demo car, 2 cars part way through thier build and 2 - 4.6lt ford motors.
Plus jigs, equiptment & name. Looking back it was a bargin, but while I was still at uni there was no way I could scratch that money together.

The business managed to survive a couple more years after moving from Bayswater? (some to verify) to Essendon airport before finally being sold on in the early 2000s.

The info I have is a bit scketchy... and I do have conflicting stories... but this is about as well as I can piece it together, from my experiences.

I hope that helps in some capacity.

Best wishes to all...

[ptrefry]

Originally Posted by byroncobra

Interestingly, just opened this months Uniquecars mag, ad reads thus:

Robnell 302SC Series1, #1, 1985, handmade by Carrol Shelby, owned by Rene Rivkin, Amoco featured, etc etc. $350 000.00

Hence my question,has Carrol Shelby ever been involved in Robnell ????

[ptrefry]

Thanks guys for $350k i would rather a Kirkham and go on a long holiday with the change!!!

[byroncobra]

The one in the advert is red, no whitewalls though

[Merv and Sharon]

I had an email from Rob Darnell, via Russ, and Rob is laughing about the advert above. He was surprised that Shelby had a hand in making his Robnell ... He is back in the car business again, reportedly in Mustang restoration.

He is happy to be emailed by anyone seeking the Robnell history. I have the address if anyone would like to.

[kyleb]

Richard Bendell of Daytona sportscars now owns the rights to Robnell... He says that when time permits he will look at building them again, If he updates them to the exceptionally high standards of his Daytona's it will be a ripper product..
If the Robnell in unique cars sells for 350k mines on the market the next day !!!

[spookypt]

Lots of interesting cars for sale at the moment........

http://www.my105.com/listingdetails....=3936&latest=1

http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/...e=15&__Dx=mode matchany&__D=cobra&silo=1011&seot=1&__sid=12D6F99A A6FA&__N=1216 1246 1247 1252 1282&__Ns=pCar_RankSort_Int32|1||pCar_PriceSort_De cimal|1||pCar_Make_String|0||pCar_Model_String|0&_ _Qpb=true&__Ntx=mode matchallpartial&Cr=1&__Ntt=cobra&trecs=107

http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/...e=15&__Dx=mode matchany&__D=cobra&silo=1011&seot=1&__sid=12D6F99A A6FA&__N=1216 1246 1247 1252 1282&__Ns=pCar_PriceSort_Decimal|1||pCar_RankSort_ Int32|1||pCar_Make_String|0||pCar_Model_String|0&_ _Qpb=true&__Ntx=mode matchallpartial&Cr=2&__Ntt=cobra&trecs=107

[Wazza]

Originally Posted by byroncobra

Interestingly, just opened this months Uniquecars mag, ad reads thus:

Robnell 302SC Series1, #1, 1985, handmade by Carrol Shelby, owned by Rene Rivkin, Amoco featured, etc etc. $350 000.00

This is in the same Dreamland as the GT40 "Kit" in the same mag that sells for $89,750.....

But

"Completed it is worth between $400 to $500K "

I think he could get a job "Shipping Bulls".....then he could be a professional BULLSHIPPER !!

I recon both these guys "have their hand firmly ON it "

Cheers,
Warren.

[Merv and Sharon]

It would seem a good idea if someone had the time to interview Rob Darnell and to properly document the history of Robnell and the 70 cars made. Most are regarded fine cars, with strong build qualities and they are an important part of the Cobra industry in Australia.

I gather he is willing to tell the story ...

[Aussie Mike]

It'd be nice if someone could get him to register on here and tell his story. I'd be keen to know more of the marque's history. I nearly bought one when I started my journey.