New Member in Orange County, CA

OCJoeR · #1 (**permalink**) 03-11-2019, 10:45 AM

Morning all,

I've just started looking at Cobra replicas. Well, technically I looked at them a long time ago (back when Fiberfab was building them) and ended up with a '53 Corvette replica. It was fun to build right up until it got stolen.

So now I'm in the market again and have seen several and I'm trying to figure out which manufacturers I should be looking at. I'm looking to bet a fully complete car since I've sold my house with the big oversized 3 car garage and don't really have the room to do much work. I've seen lots of Factory Fives, one from what I think is Shelby Cars NW and a couple for which I've not been able to get any response from the sellers as to what kind they are.

I read a thread on Mustangsandmore site and they recommended this group, which makes sense.

Anyway, from what I've read it sounds like Factory Five has been building them for some time and have models ranging from Mk I through IV with the I being the oldest. I received a flyer from FF, a "Buyers Guide" to buying used kits that has some good info. But I was wondering if there is some sort of comparison that set out the pros and cons of each manufacturer. I guess the big thing is to get all the build records, including the motor. But any other tips as to what to look for in older builds that can go wrong or just wear out. One that I'm looking at is a FF Mk I. So it's an older build, 1999 I think.

Thanks for any help
Joe

Ron61 · #2 (**permalink**) 03-11-2019, 10:56 AM

Joe,

I have a Factory Five Coupe and it is really good. And several of the guys on our site have built the Roadsters and really like them. But if you want it to look as original as possible I think ERA and Superformance might be closer that way. And all three are very good cars. If you know someone who is familiar with Cobras and what to look at that would be a good thing to have them go with you and look it over. The main thing as I am sure you know about getting a built car is the quality of the build. And many people don't use some of the parts that come with the car. Also do you just want it to drive and enjoy or are you going to track it.

Welcome to the site also.

Ron

OCJoeR · #3 (**permalink**) 03-12-2019, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron61

Joe,

I have a Factory Five Coupe and it is really good. And several of the guys on our site have built the Roadsters and really like them. But if you want it to look as original as possible I think ERA and Superformance might be closer that way. And all three are very good cars. If you know someone who is familiar with Cobras and what to look at that would be a good thing to have them go with you and look it over. The main thing as I am sure you know about getting a built car is the quality of the build. And many people don't use some of the parts that come with the car. Also do you just want it to drive and enjoy or are you going to track it.

Welcome to the site also.

Ron

Hi Ron,

Thanks for the welcome. I have no intention of racing it. I'd just like something that I can get in and drive but also hold its value so I'm guessing one that closely resembles a true Cobra would be the way to go.

The prices are all over the place on them and it's difficult to figure out why such a price difference, from the mid $20Ks to close to $100K. I'm guessing the 351s that are stroked out to 427 are the most desirable assuming the build quality on the motor is good. I've sent an email to the Mile Hi Cobra club to see if someone there could take a look at the one in CO for me but haven't heard back. It sounds like a pretty good deal but without actually seeing it I'm a little hesitant to drop that kind of $$.

Thanks again,
Joe

hauss · #4 (**permalink**) 03-12-2019, 08:48 PM

Take your time ,I did. It took me two years, and a lot of people on this forum beating me up. Even got kicked off for a little while. All that being said you cant not beat the folks here on this site . All have problems no such thing as the perfect cobra unless you are talking about my 2012 backdraft. Just my opinion but I found backdraft to be best bang for the buck.My first choice was superformance 2nd backdraft 3rd factory five. That said any one of these could be better than the other. Good luck and when you find the one you want, keep in mind you will little things that you will have to fix but, that is part of the experience .

saki302 · #5 (**permalink**) 03-12-2019, 08:52 PM

Factory Five is the cheapest, and really a ground up kit. I've seen them incredibly well done, and I've also seen garbage.

Superformance makes a car, minus an engine and trans. Almost all are equally well built.

Era and Kirkham I'm not that familiar with- besides they're quite expensive, so I assume are sold like a superformance. You can get an aluminum body with these to go full perfect replica.

There's also the CSX cars, which are expensive.

I recently picked up the cheapest superformance I've seen in a long time. I have lots of minor things to deal with to get it 100% roadworthy, but I think it was still a deal.

-Dave

PS- forgot about backdraft- I'd put them closer to SPF. There are also a bunch of older kits, Everett Morrison, Classic, etc., just be careful because of parts availability.