West Coast Cobra replicas??

TheSaint71 · #1 (**permalink**) 03-23-2003, 05:55 PM

Hey does anyone here got any info/dealings or anything on these West Coast Cobras? Anyone own one or have the scoop on them, the bodies, them being good quality? I would greatly appreciate anyones info,
thanks!

Jamin

HIQ · #2 (**permalink**) 03-26-2003, 04:07 PM

Do a search under the name "Back in Black" He has the nicest West Coast I have seen and will be hones with you.

XXQQQME · #3 (**permalink**) 05-22-2003, 11:38 AM

I am just getting ready to send mine out for paint. I started this project about 15 years ago with a "basket case" 460 out of a '71 Lincoln. After doing extensive research, I decided on a West Coast (back in 1996) because it is the most complete kit available. And by complete, I mean right down to the temp sending unit and brake booster vac fitting! I also liked the rigid construction of the West Coast "Space Frame" and the fact that this car is 6 inches longer and 4 inches wider than an original Cobra. The increased size feature was very attractive in that I am 6 ft. tall and need more room. If you are going to have trouble sleeping at night because this kit is not close to "original" Cobra dimensions, then a West Coast is not for you. If you are looking for value and safety this is it! Also, I don't think there are any other kits on the market that you can buy in stages.
I would also recommend that you stay under 10:1 compression ratio so you don't have to burn the more expensive grades of fuel. It's really up to you and how big your wallet is. These cars (real or not) get alot of attention when one is driving/cruising or even parked. Just keep in mind that what ever kit you decide to buy, "The Cobra Legend" is part of the deal and women drive 'Vettes.

Back in Black · #4 (**permalink**) 05-22-2003, 02:16 PM

You have mail

MAXVELO · #5 (**permalink**) 06-18-2003, 08:04 AM

I have a west coast cobra and I have never seen another component car that is made as well or look as good. The lines are very straight and curves are very smooth. I have 14 inch wide tires on the rear and there is plenty of room under the wheel wells as I hate it when the tires stick out beyond the fenders! Other kits rear end is not wide enough to accomidate large tires. They have the nicest interiors and the best crash ratings. Most other component cars are built for small blocks but can be slightly modified for big blocks. West coast cars are built for big blocks, and if you dont build it with a big block why bother?
Thanks Gary

Naja · #6 (**permalink**) 06-22-2003, 12:24 PM

Mr. Saint -
All of the above is basically true, but, one thing that seems to be universal among the West Coast owners that I have had discussions with -- you have to deal with the frickin' owner. That is enough of a negative to cause most people to look elsewhere. I'm sure that Steven has clued you in to some of his many difficulties, which are not unique to him!
With 100s of West Coast cars out there, there is a reason that no one says too much about them.
Regards,

Cheddar · #7 (**permalink**) 10-12-2003, 01:04 PM

I would also appreciate some straightforward info on the West Coast kit. I like the dimensions and look, but...
ericd

MAXVELO · #8 (**permalink**) 10-12-2003, 01:52 PM

I personally have had very good service from Vern Redel. I bought my car in Jan. 03 and he has been very helpful to me as far as completing my car. He even (personally)delivered parts I ordered to my doorstep and i live in New Mexico!

bibt1272 · #9 (**permalink**) 10-14-2003, 02:56 AM

I just purchased a wcc. Very impressed with the car. The owner Vern, spent over 5hr touring the factery and anserwing all my questions. Having built or restored several cars in the past [ 23T ford , 35 ford, 67 vette ] I want to be pamperd and have vern do a complete turn key on my cobra. While its being built, I am working with my son and daughters boyfriend in customizing a 71 triumph spitfire 4.3 chev 5sp datsun rear end. Talk about a challenge.
Vern has a ton of knowledge in building cobras. Since Im a big block fan looking for comfort, power and safety. The wcc is my choice. As a side note: being a new member, I would like to thank all of you who run and participate in this forum. The wealth of Knowledge you provide about cobras is second to none in the industry. Thankyou. Terry

cwmcobra · #10 (**permalink**) 10-22-2003, 05:58 PM

Gary,

How about some pictures of the MAXVELO mobile? Would love to see the car and the engine that must be shoe-horned into it.

How about uploadin' a few to your gallery?

Thanks,

Chuck

MAXVELO · #11 (**permalink**) 10-22-2003, 07:50 PM

I would love to, but I cant figure out how!

cwmcobra · #12 (**permalink**) 10-22-2003, 08:27 PM

If you've tried this and failed, I apologize for duplication.....

Click on the camera icon next to your name in your post. Click on "Upload Photos". Follow instructions to select images from your hard drive or other data source. Note that each image can be no more than 300KB file size. I use PhotoShop to crop and/or compress the files into JPEG format that fit the file size requirement. There is 15 MB of total file space available to each of us to store image files on the server, so once you get the hang of it, you can upload virtually as many as you want.

Again, I hope this is helpful and doesn't lead you into the same difficulties you might have experienced in the past. Happy to help if I can.

Good luck. I hope to see your monster WCC soon.

Chuck

Back in Black · #13 (**permalink**) 10-22-2003, 08:36 PM

Sorting out the mistakes and downright negligence that went into this car. Right now she is at the tranny shop getting the proper mods and correct hydraulic clutch system and front mounted blower fan oil cooler (I have done that part) that Vern did not do, in direct contravention to my stated desires. he did not even adjust the adjustable T/O bearing as required. He also used the wrong gaskets on my intake and I found WATER in my oil. (fortunately it seems it was not in there long and a true miracle, it looks like the motor is OK) The WCC DESIGN is wonderful... (Vern's relative designed it then quit the business) as someone on the club recently said, it's just as important WHO turns the wrenches as who designed it. Vern is a great car SALESMAN, he could sell ice cubes to eskimos, .. but what he did to my car was at least partly a crime. Including not even putting ANY hose clamps on the RADIATOR hose he used for the fuel filler spout. The first time I fully filled the tank it was GAS in my TRUNK. the radiator hose was just laying in there, not even making contact with the LeMans cap. You know fear when that happens and you have a 600 watt amp in there. But for the grace of God we could have been killed. Get a trustworthy local builder/shop to finish your car...... ignore this warning at your own peril. In addition he is a CANADA business, and just try (ha!) legal recourse if he goes south on you or wants to be difficult as he got with me at the last minute!

I am keeping my car but I am now working part time this winter fixing all the screw ups and parts installation errors. I don't have time to give the laundry list here.

MAXVELO · #14 (**permalink**) 10-23-2003, 05:14 PM

Back in Black, Im sorry to hear about your technical problems. Sounds like a problem in the quality control Dept. I remember reading a thread about a West Coast owner smelling gas in the trunk. I also had very bad fumes in the trunk. I removed my gas tank only to find out that the le mans cap was only on with silicone. I was really not crazy about the design! The problem is, there is no way to get your hands in there to even install a hose clamp, so I can see where silicone would be the ONLY alternatinve. I still feel this is a very bad & dangerous design. I also have electronic equipment in the trunk (fuel pump) I am changing everything in the rear of my car. I am mounting a single hoop rollbar behind the driver, with the third leg going into the trunk and to the frame. I have cut off the right side rollbar mount in order to remove the 3" obstruction of fiberglass that would prevent the tank from being moved over enough to clear the rollbar. I am then going to mount the New (correct) Le Mans cap on the right side fender where it belongs. with a stainless steel pipe from the bottom of the cap to the side of the tank with a clamp on both ends of the hose. The back end of my car will not only be correct it will be safe also. As for CMWCOBRA I tried to upload the photos but it tells me the files are too big. How do I compress them?

Back in Black · #15 (**permalink**) 10-23-2003, 05:27 PM

Aside from the incompetent radiator hose 3 stooges trick, the real problem is that the design indeed does not let you get your fingies in there, or install the correct fuel rated hose.. (the kind with the spring roll/perimeter thru it)

My solution will be to have a custom aluminum fuel cell tank welded up, with a sloped back deck. It won't take much of a slope to make access a reality. The neck will match the diameter of the then-milled-down LeMans neck.. this should solve the problem.. although it's an expensive fix and on a car that cost this much the original plastic "gas can" tank is totally unacceptable !

cwmcobra · #16 (**permalink**) 10-23-2003, 05:57 PM

See my gallery for a picture of the aluminum tank that I had fabricated. As BiB suggested, I've designed an angled top to facilitate access to tighten hose clamps. It has a bottom sump, a fuel drain port and a rollover valve. The LeMans cap I bought from Enzo at Finishline. It looks much better than the boat cap that comes with the kit and has a sealed, locking cap inside, so no fuel sloshing out into the cap. Larger capacity too.

Gary, to reduce the size of your image files, do you have any photoediting software, such as Photoshop or ACDSee? I use the editing features to crop the image to minimum size, then save as a compressed JPEG image. This easily gets my image files under the 300K limit. If you don't have any photoediting software, open your image in MS Paint (in the Accessories file in Programs) and save as a JPEG. I just tried this and it reduced an 800K file to less than 200K. Hope you can make it work!

Chuck

Back in Black · #17 (**permalink**) 10-23-2003, 08:30 PM

You were my inspiration on this, thanks Chuck.. hey, is the LeMans cap you have from Finishline, EXACTLY the same size and bolt pattern as the standard WCC cap? With the fancy paint job I can't exactly change that now ...

Back in Black · #18 (**permalink**) 10-23-2003, 08:44 PM

If you sent me the exact specs for your tank, I either never saved them to disk or it is buried the the history of my e-mail. I would very much appreciate a re-send... I may even have the tank made up locally, as I think you did.. that way I have total first hand input. What do you think the new capacity is, and does it jut out past the vertical wall of the trunk, or is it just wider? I don't want to lose cargo space.

It's gonna be fun cutting the old house insulating foam adhesive Vern used to GLUE the old gas can in there.. I may have to cut the plastic gas can apart to get it out...

Cheddar · #19 (**permalink**) 10-23-2003, 09:01 PM

We have a company near where I live, in Bend, Oregon, called Fuel Safe. They built a custom aluminum gas tank, with bladder, for my race car, with the kind of angle you are talking about. Good people to work with. Cost about $800.

How are the A-Arm brackets on these cars? The photo from the web site makes them seem a little wimpy. Also, the A-arms, upper and lower, look like they are parallel, as opposed to convergent toward the frame. Does this adversely affect the roll center?

EricD

MAXVELO · #20 (**permalink**) 10-23-2003, 09:15 PM

PHOTOS ARE UP!!!!!!!!!!
the supercharger has been removed and is in the box. I need to purchase a Carb Bonnet befor I can fabricate the pipe. I will also have to relocate the power steering pump as the blower mounts where it is now. I have a photo of the car with the new single 3" hoop rollbar on my digital camera and I will post it soon. As I said before, the car is undergoing a complete makover. Everything is going to be chrome ( including the side pipes) and the car is being re-painted black with ghost stripes.