build cost

[cobrakalis]

I often wondered how much it costs a replica company to produce a turnkey-minus car, in materials and labor. I also wondered what the companies profit margin are on their cars. The build price vs. sale price.

[John 550]

Would that be American labor, legal with tax , foreign , jail help? Does one have to conform to EPA ?

[RICK LAKE]

Cobra Kolais Why not ask the people you got your SP from. I'm sure that the ERA, FFR, the Weavers from Unique would be happy to tell you? yeah right. It's a bussiness. Rick Lake

[ColoradoCobras.]

I know exactly!
We built from a rolling deluxe pallet kit from Unique, put a nice 302 and Holley Carb...painted it silver and sold it to a casino who "raffled" it off to someone who didn't even know what a Cobra was!??! They sold it in less than 2weeks for $42,000....yeah I know what it cost to make....and if I told you I'd have to kill you.
I can tell you it takes 100 hours to complete!

[casaleenie]

C.C,

What was the price to the Casino???

[Tongue Pirate]

A profitable long standing company could probably give you a good average estimate of what it costs to build a car. Would they, is the the question. Would be interesting to know what sort of profit they are pulling in after all is said & done. I would guess it is a little less than we would think. So many have not weathered the market.

[misfit41]

I was pondering that question in relateing to the sai csx cobras,when you look,the components have to cost next to nothing,in comparison to a normal car.
For a new car company,ford ,gm ,etc,technology and research is the biggest cost,followed by labor,I would think it is the opposite for replica builders,almost no research and developement{No EPA headache} cost after the initial build,but labor has to be the high point, selling turn key replicas for 36k has to be big profit,ford makes about 15k on every explorer,thats after EVERYONE is paid,I would think that is much more with an african built replica,maybe 5k in componets at vendor cost{or less},then 1000.00 in material,frame body etc,the rest labor,i wish I knew how many man hours,after the facility cost are in the clear,this is a big money maker,but then again,they cant do a lot of volume,,the replica companies are doign what ford wishes it could,selling cars with the same or more profit,but less headaches.no service dept,no air bags,no ac,no worries,,lol
my thoughts,,Tk

[bomelia]

Sorry to sound negative, and perhaps I should ask why you want to know...

My answer would be "I hope its a lot!' because I want them to want to keep making them!

Too many people worry about what other people make. If you are really concerned, then go out and get a real Cobra, make the molds, build the factory, hire the people, and then try to make money on an item that does not have the economies of scale that a mass auto maker has. More power to you.

As for me, I look forward to the day that I hand $25k to the folks at Unique for my Delux Pallet kit. And I hope the folks at Unique can have a good time on the money they "pulled in."

By the way, the market determines the price...the quality of the manufacturer determines the profits.

Mike