aussie body/chassis combos

[inazuma_x]

i am sure this topic has been covered before but...

basically i want an alloy body w/ chassis...i live in brisbane australia do any of you guys know dealers for these in australia?

i realise that aluminium body cobras cost the earth but i dont like the idea of having a kevlar/fibre bodied car...could anybody list some advantages and disadvantages to the different body materials? as well as the different combos available here in australia? prices would be useful too

basically i want something that is as accurate to the original as possible...the look of kirkham and superformance shells is really schmick and looks as close to the real thing as i have seen...so preferably something like that

wow...long post...anyway...thanks for your help

[PCC]

Have you slipped onto this Site as a QLD newcomer.

If so then welcome, if not then welcome anyway.

A good start point for most of the Ozzie manufacturers is the Feb 2003 Classic Car Edition No. 115, all of which sell fibre shells.

Prices generally kickoff around $7,000 with the average costing around $11,000.

Not much help on the aliminium bodies other than purchasing one in the states or UK.

No doubt the serious guys will offer more information, but the above mag points you in the right direction.

[Tony Cram]

inazuma,

G Force in WA make an aluminium body combination. Lots of $$$$ I would imagine but an excellent Kit.

Check out www.gforcesportscars.com.au there is an aluminium body car picture in the "for sale" section at $85k. I do believe they make the aluminium body on request for their kits. (Their latest catalogue lists it as an option.)

Good luck!!!!


TC

[inazuma_x]

thanks guys,

i have seen one of the g-force kit cars rolling around the streets here in brisbane...i even have a photo of it...personally i dont like the lines of the g-force cars...they differ slightly from the actual cobra (or atleast from what i can tell...there is just something different...not quite as aesthetically pleasing...dont know what)...the kirkham ad they have on this site has intrigued me...they are fine looking cars...but i am sure getting a chassis and body here would cost the earth

[inazuma_x]

Originally posted by PCC


Have you slipped onto this Site as a QLD newcomer.

yep...i have lived here all my life and have loved cobra's for just as long....just never thought i could actually afford one...now i know i can i am well chuffed...

[inazuma_x]

i have heard bad things about fibre bodies that make me think that the extra cost of a more original aluminium shell would be well warranted...things such as distortion due to heat from engine bay and sidepipes...as well as difficulty of repair if it gets dented...aluminium seems much better...can anyone support or refute these "facts"?

[PCC]

With regard repairs - not a problem.

Mine has a few dings / torn areas, which are to be fixed in February.

Having worked with fibreglass before sometimes it is easier to repair than a metal based product.

I know that with the quality of paints these days there is no difference in the finished quality. Just look at Paul Gillis's Cobra (built by Scott Hampson - nice fella who has more Cobras in his shed than you poke a stick at).

Where are you - North or South?

If North check out Craig's Cobra (very original ha ha)

[inazuma_x]

i am north...in ashgrove...i work in milton...all nice n convenient...

the main thing i dislike about the g-force kits are the metal guard things just behind the doors on the rear mud guard...i think they are hideous...but thats just a personal thing...

[PCC]

If you mean the rear wing protectors I wouldn't be without them.

On spray and seal roads they protect the paint everytime.

They simply glue on anyway so you don't have to have them.

If you do go for a fibre body then would suggest you talk to Scott Hampson who builds the Harrison Cobra (Cobra Kits) or DRB at Yatalla.

Mine is a DRB and does seem smaller than most other kits.

Preference is in the hands of the buyer.

[inazuma_x]

oh ok...i didnt realise they served a purpose :P
you learn something new everyday

so you think the advantages of aluminium bodies over fibre bodies isnt enough to warrant the extra cost?

[PCC]

What have you got to spend?

If its $500,000 then buy an original!

If its up to $50,000 build it or buy a replica.

How close you want to get to an original is upto you, but whatever you do you'll never match an original because the majority of these cars worldwide are replicas.

The number of times I'm stopped on the road and asked is it an original Cobra?

I've yet to see a replica look exactly as an original. They are your car and as such you do to it what you want to do.

You'll soon find out that a big part of owning a Cobra is knowing every inch of your car as well as sharing your ideas / frustrations with other people who have the same interest.

[inazuma_x]

haha...well...i think i will go with option 2 (building a replica)...unfortunately in my 23yrs of life i have been unable to amass $500,000...i doubt i ever will :P

and even if i did i would just build a $500,000 replica...i own two 1960's minis and have and still do love them all but the problem is i cant do whatever i want with them...they are both in beautiful original condition and to change that would be sacrelige...

my cobra will be my dream car...as close as i can get to the look of an original...but with some nasty new "go fast" stuff under the bonnet...thats the plan anyway :P

[750hp]

"go fast stuff" is good ! What's the story behind your sig?

There are a couple of technicalities involved in importing a Cobra, but there is hope.

How much were you thinking of spending? Not just on the body/chassis unit, but the whole car. Do you want a small block or big block?

I bet you're glad that the roadworks on Waterworks Road are finally finished

[inazuma_x]

my sig is the dream specs of my future cobra w/ a comment displaying my distaste for riceboys...

at the moment i have about $10,000 in the bank...i plan to borrow about $20,000 and to spend around $70,000 all up over a period of about 5yrs or so...

as far as the donk is concerned i want atleast a 7L V8...alloy block preferably...fuel injected would be nice...i have heard that cobras have issues with heat when turbocharged so i will more than likely look into a nice supercharger...i have a fair amount of experience in minis and know that a turboed A-Series 1275 bored out to ~1400 and then stroked out another 100cc can push about 12psi of boost nominally and up to 20psi in short bursts...not sure how much a 7L V8 could take but i would like to get atleast 700hp...

yeah waterworks road is like 100m from my place and it was a real bottleneck for ages...its better now...although some fool will still manage to park up near wogboys or infront of their friends house blocking a lane...

[boxhead]

Your biggest problem with building a car will be when it comes time to pass the adr regs to recieve a vin number

From what I have been able to read and find out in regards to these vehicles is that most states within Australia you are required to register the car as a new vehicle and in doing so you must achieve all the current adr's for the year in which you attempt to gain a vin number.

So in doing so your car will need to be either fuel injected or running on LPG to pass emissions tests.

Most of the overseas manufacturers chassis would not pass the Australian torsional and beaming tests ie: chassis twist and flex.
Also not sure if the vehicles would pass side impact tests.

Apart from G Force I have not heard of another Aussie manufacturer with an alloy body.

As PCC said the little aluminium pieces on the leading edge of the rear guards are simply rock guards to prevent stones and gravel that come from the front wheels chipping the paint, I have seen some cars with clear contact applied there to prevent the same thing.
I think some of the originals had guards made from aluminium and some had the same made from leather (not 100% sure though).

Good luck with the search and dont be affraid to ask questions.

In regards to wanting an alloy engine over 7 litres from what I know your only choice will be a stroked gen III and at this stage to achieve that you will need to spend most of your budget on the motor.
There are some Aussie companys working on stroker cranks with only 1 available at this stage.

[inazuma_x]

basically as far as the engine goes...the bigger the better...as long as it fits and can give me >700hp i am happy...what sort of engines would you recommend?

[boxhead]

To be an alloy engine and meet adr specs then from what I know your only choices are either Gen III or toyota quad cam 4 litre

[inazuma_x]

damn...silly australian standards...i want power!...so what can get me 700+hp and still fit in a cobra?

[boxhead]

I am sure with the right money you can get the Gen III to make that, It would need to be blown but I can see you like the idea of a blower, just means more $$$$

[inazuma_x]

anything that will make it go faster and not mean i have to take a blowtorch to the body is fine with me

how much we talking for a gen3?