The ultimate kit?????????

[boxhead]

I figured it would fit, as most Valiant owners are reffered to as TAVO's

[400TT]

Originally Posted by boxhead

This is the same for all kits, a cheap start price does not always equate to a cheap completion price.

Boxhead, can't argue with that.

But what I am talking about is through bundling. Being able to bundle a lot of the parts required to build the kits into packages you can purchase. And offering those packages cheaper than what individuals can do by chasing around and purchasing the parts themselves. This excludes things like engine/gearbox etc...

[Merv and Sharon]

JD - $50,000 is about right for all Cobra kits for a very basic car. Some are less to start with, but more later as you need to buy or have made things they did not supply. A 'scratch build' is the cheapest initially, but the least likely to get finished and registered in this country.

A kit that is at least 'pre-engineeered' and pre-tested on chassis flex and so on is essential. So why not go up and look at Harrisons and Absolute Pace as they are both in the same area and then look at some second hand ones for comparison?

These things aren't cheap no matter how much you can save on the work yourself.

[400TT]

Guys from my understanding he doesn't want to spend $50,000 on the build, so need to recommend an approach a lot cheaper than that.

If he is going to build, the first thing he needs to do is get the cost of engineering/registration and subtract that from the build budget and that is the available funds for parts.

[byroncobra]

As Craig says, JD doesn't want to spend $50k or more.........

Sorry, but I'd say keep saving buddy

[alffie]

He will just have to look around and find a 15yo car thats in average nick, I cant see how he can build one for around 40k

[Towmaster]

I guess we were all thrown by the title 'The Ultimate Kit'.

Should probably have been 'how do I build/get a cobra for under $50k'

Hence the reason people were offering advice on the ultimate Cobra kit....

[boxhead]

Originally Posted by 400TT

Boxhead, can't argue with that.

But what I am talking about is through bundling. Being able to bundle a lot of the parts required to build the kits into packages you can purchase. And offering those packages cheaper than what individuals can do by chasing around and purchasing the parts themselves. This excludes things like engine/gearbox etc...

Totally agree Craig, with the buying power of a larger company that may be buying 3 or 4 of the same thing each month from a sublet supplier, this in theory should give a beter buy price.

The prices I have heard on your Kirkham roller sounds very inviting, not cheap, but I would never expect a Kirkham to be cheap, but great value.

[400TT]

Originally Posted by boxhead

Totally agree Craig, with the buying power of a larger company that may be buying 3 or 4 of the same thing each month from a sublet supplier, this in theory should give a beter buy price.

That is the plan and also passing on the additional kit parts for the minimal viable price. It's a very tough market at the moment and even in the long haul times have changed and I'm not leaving any stone unturned.

Yes, I believe we have a great value product in the Kirkham's. I've invested a lot of resources in them as I believe there is a market for them here and so far it looks like the gamble will be worth it. I will post a separate thread about them as I'm sure guys here would be interested to hear about the approach we have taken with them. Might also inspire some ideas in their own builds or future upgrades.

[07cob]

JD

It might not be THE Ultimate Cobra for less than $50K but if that's your budget, it could be YOUR Ultimate Cobra.

So it begs the question, what would have to be done to build a budget Cobra? Some suggestions:

* Coloured gel coat finish. Painting is a considerable part of the build cost and while filling seams may need some attention, it could be a huge cost saving overall. Paint later as required (if at all).
* Wheels. Standard size and offset rims (with adapters as required) can save quite a few beans. Will help with tyres as well.
* Wiring. Completing your own (body) wiring from scratch is not only cost effective but also very rewarding. Of course, wiring the ECU is more of a speciality area.
* Trimming. If you are happy with a basic trim, it is not too hard to tackle this yourself. Of course, if you are handy in this area, you could go beyond basic for not much more cost.
* Out of the box engine and gearbox package. Avoid the updrages and modifications ... until later.

Just some thoughts.

Geof

[Jaydee]

Thanks Geof.
What I meant about the ultimate kit was. The ultimate starting kit. It's up to me how much to spend. I know it'll take 60 to 80.000 to make it the ultimate cobra. Sorry for the confusion. Most basic kits are around the same price. I didn't realize the gel coat would be sufficient as a final finish. But unless there is a lot of body shaping to be done, I have no problem painting. Have painted some cars before. My Father was an upholsterer, and has done many hotrods, vintage cars etc, and I learned a bit from him.I have fitted different engines in vehicles, and rewired them. But I wish I could just stick a warm 351 with carby and fmx trans in it. Simple. It's just lying around the shed, gathering dust. Maybe the old school in me, but all these computers, sencors, body ecm's etc etc does my head in sometimes. Nice when it works, but a real headache when it doesn't. Thank again guys for trying to help me out.

JD

[boxhead]

Sorry to say Jaydee, but you will not get a 351 on carny through engineering.

[Jaydee]

But If you put it on lpg it should meet emmisions. Wouldn't it? But they still won't allow it. What percentage of builders would still use older engines if they could?

[400TT]

Originally Posted by Jaydee

But If you put it on lpg it should meet emmisions. Wouldn't it? But they still won't allow it. What percentage of builders would still use older engines if they could?

LPG is an option. No emissions requirement or test for LPG engines under the current emissions requirements(ADR 37/01).

So you are good to go with a 351 on LPG.

[boxhead]

You won't be able to run the carbie, it will have to be dedicated gas only.

[Jaydee]

It's tuned for lpg only. But what is the max size for a tank? I've read about lpg cobra's. But I didn't think you could register it in SA with an older engine.

[boxhead]

Best to talk to your local registry department. They should be able to advise what requirements you must meet.

[400TT]

Originally Posted by Jaydee

But I didn't think you could register it in SA with an older engine.

Age of the engine does not matter if it is setup with dedicated LPG. You can run any engine you like. Just need to meet the safety and install requirements.

[BMK]

Jaydee

JD

One if the comments I made when up at Absolute Pace was regarding Craigs high quality bodies.

It was obvious that with a very little body work the body could be left in gel coat.

The bodies Craig had there were in various colours. In fact a white rear section looked as if it was painted - I was surprised to see it had just come out of the mould.

The advantage of both new moulds and straight quality moulds.

Just a thought - you could get the colour of your choice and then paint stripes on etc. for the short term.

[byroncobra]

Bernie, there's a gelcoat red cobra in our club, polished up with silver stripes, you'd never know it wasn't duco.

And it's a Harrison