Unique?

[55312]

I'm a virgin around here but I need some advise. I was ready to pull the trigger on the Shell Valley from Cincinatti but a last minute glitch in that Ausie headed maonster gave me cold feet. I'm really not sure about the "quality" rankings of the kits I'm looking at in the for sale forum but I have a shot at a NAF 351 cleaveland in CA and I'm intrigued by the unique in Oregon up for sale on E-bay. What's the scoop on NAF and Unique?? I've got to pull the trigger pretty quick cause I got the ole' "you're gonna do what ever you want anyway" routine the other day and that's as close to a yes as I'm gonna get in this house!

[Cobranut]

Shell Valley and NAF are budget kits. Their quality will depend VERY heavily on the fabrication skills of the individual who assembled them.

Unique is in an entirely different class. They've been building these things longer than almost anyone else, and remain a family run company with outstanding customer service.
Unique's car is well engineered and first rate throughout.

There are several top notch manufacturers out there, ie: ERA, Unique, Superformance, Kirkham, and others.

Do your homework before jumping into the first thing you see.

Later,

[55312]

Thanks for the input! Aside from my horrific spelling and typing above, I've tried to research this thing for about a year now. I've been driven by the engine bay and not the kit type. I do yearn for a Cleveland.... Now I have to start paying attention to the whole package .

[clayfoushee]

The Weaver's at Unique have been building replicas continuously longer than anyone else, since 1977. Very loyal following and a large family. Check out these sites to see for yourself:

www.uniquecobra.com

www.uniquemotorcars.com

[pgermond]

Ditto what Clay has stated. These cars are remarkable - well engineered and attention to detail. The best thing I have found is dealing with a company (The Weaver family) that will go beyond the call for their customers. If you go Unique you won't be disappointed - unless of course some gobber did the finally assembly

Take a browse through the Unique forum and see for yourself what their customers have to say and how much we help one another http://www.uniquecobra.com/

[hey,littlecobra]

ERA is a very nice manufacturer, and has been around a long time, also. Nobody cares about spelling or punctuation or grammar around here. I do, but I gave up trying to correct these poor linguists a while back! I get a kick out of the incredible, grammatically incorrect postings offered here. Happy looking. I "fell" into my ERA by blind, ignorant luck, and here I am, happy and not looking back.... ever.....
Kristen

[rldunn7]

I have a Cleveland in my Unique and she has been running for seven racing seasons now.... Good motor for torque and horsepower....richard

[decooney]

The Unique is a great value and experience from day1. When you start comparing standard features on a Unique that are adds/upgrades on other kits, it becomes more obvious as you look at the underlying costs and details to build one. I've owned/built a Unique 427 and an ERA 427SC. My good friend built a NAF and a Unique too. He preferred the Unique over his NAF. If you build one, you can't go wrong with the Unique 427 SC Deluxe Pallet kit. If you are buying used, again, the Unique is a great value and especially if you are considering the FE / Toploader / Jag IRS combo. If you buy a Unique and its nicely equipped, someone is always willing to take it off your hands. I enjoyed my Unique a lot, and sold it reluctantly. Then decided to learn ERAs to try something else. I like both the ERA and the Unique for different reasons. Another good friend has a Unique with a stroker 302/333 and dual carbs. Being such a light weight car it really moves quick and pulls like a moderate built big block car does. Thumbs up on the Unique. Good Luck on your decisions.

[55312]

Thanks to all for the great input. I'm going to go after the one on E-bay if the price doesn't get crazy..............

[bittentoo]

One other note of interest is the Weavers at Unique support clevelands, ie, headers and clutch assemblies. Most kits don't. I love my Unique

[rdorman]

Put my vote in for Unique. My car is dated December 1985. But the customer service I have received is like it is dated December of 2003!

I also have a Cleveland, good combo. 45/55 weight distribution half fueled with me in the car. Helps with the push the Cobra design is inherent for.

Rick

[will butterwort]

have unique 427,son,s are engineers, nothing would do but unique.Plan to build another unique in a year or so, will give each son a unique , happy with mine, will carry 351c no problem. Weaver family very helpful, i go in and out all the time, to see what they are working on, or what is new, see some beautiful engines ,all makes.Hope this helps. Alabama

[Rick Bagley]

I am going to be late on this one, UNIQUE is a very good Replica.
Check the July Issue of Kit Car Magazine, good story on both of their cars, 427 S/C and 289 FIA, I like the Red one!!

[clayfoushee]

BTW, he's too modest to say it, but it's Rick's car on the cover on Kit Car magazine. Nice car, Rick!!!!!

[Gordon Peters]

Any thoughts on the Classic II Cobras?

[G.R.]

In defense of NAF--I own one. This one was a factory finish by J. Kube and co. . Probably not as good as a Unique but no slouch either, in the quality of build and looks department.
As budget a car as any other "garage" builder. I think until you have seen a certain marque and have seen the build it is really unfair to comment upon the the car in question. I've seen some SV's and FFR's that would put some serious envy upon an Era or Unique. It all depends on many factors.

Couldn't go wrong with a Unique for sure--great car, great people building them and supporting their buyers. I'd love to have one of their 289 FIA's. Or a "tin" Kirkham.