Hi all, newbie would appreciate some input

[onefastace]

Howdy everyone, long time British car enthusiast here, years of experience wrenching on old cars.
Of course, fantasies of owning an early 289 cobra replica have plagued me for years. But I've always quickly pushed them down due to cost and lack of space to build one.
But I've come across an interesting project. A 27 year long project built entirely from scratch. The owner claims he created molds from a friend's original cobra and then proceeded to build the body out of layered weave and resin and he claims it's very close to an early version cobra(289)?
The car is powered by a bone stock 70's 302 with 3 speed auto. It has mustang ll front suspension with solid rear axle.
The car has only been driven 75 miles since it's been completed although it still needs windshield wipers to be installed to make it street legal here.
The frame was custom built by a shop in Ontario, Canada.
Lot's of original cobra chrome work, seats and he has an original ac ace soft top that he bought new and never used.
The owner is terminally ill and is letting the car go, has had several offers to sell the car, but is adamant that it goes to someone who will keep the car close to what it is now and has turned away many a prospective owner who wants to big block it. Understandably he's very attached to it and the number of years it took to complete.
I'm really interested in this car because of the story behind it.
But in reality, would a solid axle car like this drive like a pig? Depending on how the frame has been put together(I think it's just a simple ladder frame, no skeleton/birdcage affair) would this car be a death trap? It's sounds like it's basically a bigger version of a lotus elan(all fibreglass with no real structure other than a backbone style frame and flimsy support for the firewall and windshield).
The owner says the fibreglass is thicker than that of a factory 5 car.
I'm hoping to see the car this week.
Here are the only pictures I have of the car.
http://picasaweb.google.com/91jm1na/MyPictures#

I understand that without a bunch of details and pictures that opinions and advice might be vague, but 'd appreciate the input anyway. if the owner decides I'm the right guy for the car it will not be expensive to purchase.
Again, he's really concerned that it goes to the right person to cherish it for what it is.

thanks!

[lnfletcher]

Just my two cents on the axle. Mine is solid and drives great (in my opinion).

[kurtmart]

You want opinions? You've come to the right place.

Solid rear axle? Not at all like orig. but can work well if controlled. Is it attached to coil springs or just hung on leaf springs only, or are there any control arms? Looking at some of the kit websites chassis shots will show some nice set ups.

I'd try to drive the car and carefully put it trough some basic testing, handling, braking, frame flex etc.

Death trap? They're all death traps, some are less death trappy than others, from originals on down.

Could be a neat project if had at the right price or a big pain in the ass, all depends on attitude.

Cheers

[onefastace]

Thanks guys. It's leaf springs for the rear end. I'll know more once I see the car.
Ok, well at least there's a possibility that a solid rear axle option might work. and maybe it could be improved upon down the road.
Is there a common setup used for windshield wipers? The holes need to be drilled and the mechanism and motor installed. I wish I could do without, but I can't get it passed inspection without them.

[tcrist]

You could order a complete wiper setup from Finishline (they are a advertiser here on CC). then make or modify anything that you need.

As far as the rear end, it can be modified to trailing arm and coil springs/ coil over shocks fairly easy.

[tkb289]

Originally Posted by kurtmart

... I'd try to drive the car and carefully put it trough some basic testing, handling, braking, frame flex etc...

onefastace,

First off welcome, you came to the right place!

kurtmart has the right idea ... look it over and take it for a gentle test drive. My guess is that you will either fall in love with it or be unimpressed by how it looks and feels.

I understand the owner's wish to see his dream live on ... what you need to decide is if that's your dream too.

It looks like it could be a lot of fun, you just need to take a close look.

Keeo us posted!

[Gunner]

Originally Posted by onefastace

Thanks guys. It's leaf springs for the rear end. I'll know more once I see the car.
Ok, well at least there's a possibility that a solid rear axle option might work.

The problem with solid rear axles is that you have a problem getting enough suspension travel with the necessarily very short driveshaft. If you're careful enough with the driveline angles and are prepared to pay very close attention to u-joint maintenance and wear, you should have no problems.

Longitudinal leaf springs are about the worst way to attach a rear unit, but there are many options to replace that with a better-engineered trailing-arm unit with coil-over shocks. That should fall within the original owner's concept even if he chose the easier route originally.

Nothing, IMHO, can replace a well dialed in IRS. But a good solid axle setup can be more than good enough.

[tcrist]

Every one has their own openion on what they like or dis-like. I have had nothing but issues with IRS setups and prefer a solid axle setup. Of course my IRS experiance is only with Corvettes. That might be why.

[MadDog]

A three link set up for solid axle is the best option if you want a good handling car. My FFR with the three link can hold its own against a ERA with irs.The frame strength is also important for any suspension to work good.The FFR cars have a thin bodyshell because it is not part of the frame its only a shell. All things to consider when buying one of these cars. If the price is right it might be a good place to start and build up.Thats my two cents. MadDog

[LMH]

The car pictured on the linked page doesn't appear to be a 289 model. At least, not a replicated CSX 289. Has more of a 427 shape. Is the current owner stating that it's a copy of a 289 model?
Larry

[Hray]

if you like the car, and understand its limitations, and drive it within those limitations, and it fits your pocket book, buy it.

life it too short for very many more, "I wish I would have'.

my two cents, even if two cents aint worth much these days.

[Wild Card 289]

Well, with all due respect to the dear gentleman who built the car, if you are expected to keep the rather upright windscreen angle (which usually on a Cobra replica means that the seating position is higher than it should be), the colour, and the strange position of the handbrake (why, I wonder?) - I would suggest staying away from this honourable mission!

If I´m reading the pictures right, the cockpit edge above the dash panel does not curve back towards the doors as it should do, and the windscreen is also mounted too far forward.

The live rear axle sure isn´t that great, either. My BRA 289 slabside has one. I have tried all sorts of links, panhard rods and traction bars. The car handles great on smooth roads and racetracks, but mid curve bumps at speed can make the car a handfull. You are sitting so close to the rear axle that you have a ringside seat on every hop and sidestep the axle makes.

There are so many good kits on the market these days. Take a good look around.

[Gunner]

Looking at the pix, I'd agree with most of the latter posts. If this were, say, your father or dear uncle's car, you might have enough emotional attachment to take it on and keep it in the same condition. But without that connection, taking on the builder's attachment and emotional investment would be a bad idea... especially as the car, for all the evident love and labor that's gone into it, is something of an odd duck.

If you really want a Cobra, you can do better, probably for the same general amount, and without the limitations of either the car as it is or injunctions not to change it, which would be binding on your ethics if nowhere else.

[onefastace]

Thanks for the input, all. What the owner claimed he was trying to replicate was the homolgation cobra FIA model. Would that be '65?
If you guys are noticing windshield issues etc. then it does concern me because although the car will probably sell for $5,000 or less, I know from experience with english car projects that it's just better to save more money for a better car.
Since this car has never been insured in BC before there are also going to be some hoops I have to jump through. Being a home built I have to apply for a VIN and then negotiate a value on the car to insure it. That's after it hopefully passes a safety inspection and emissions test.

[acmjg]

For less than 5 grand there is no way you could go wrong. I cant look at my car without spending 5 grand.

Anthony

[Fordzilla]

Under 5k?? That's a no brainer, Yeah, Grab it.