B&B Cobra Kit

CobraStrike · #1 (**permalink**) 08-31-2010, 06:55 PM

I'm looking at a B&B Cobra kit thinking of buying. Any thoughts or advice?

rustyBob · #2 (**permalink**) 09-01-2010, 08:50 AM

Do a lot of research before you buy, dont just jump into something because you have the urge to own a Cobra.....dont let a dream become a nightmare.....and welcome to CC

Jim Werth · #3 (**permalink**) 09-01-2010, 02:24 PM

If you decide on B+B you will not have a nightmare. I've had mine 10 years. The only problems I had were something I did wrong. Any more questions just ask. Jim

Karen Wells · #4 (**permalink**) 09-02-2010, 11:13 AM

Do your homework on the company. We heard the company was sold. We sell cobras and cobra parts too. Our molds are new. Barry and Bryan owned B&B Mfg. for many years and they broke up and went they own ways in Dec. of 2008. We are the other B in the B&B name and I know Barry will take care of you.We can get you prices on any kit you choose.

Clois Harlan · #5 (**permalink**) 09-02-2010, 11:57 AM

I would be glad to talk to you about what you might expect if you have some time and are seriously interested in buying a Cobra. B&B was a good company ten years ago but I believe the best part of B&B is now called McGills Street Rods. The same quality and professionalism many of us received when we bought our Cobra's back then. That products success was directly attributable to the efforts of Barry McGill (the other B in B&B).

Every manufacturer has their short comings but there are those manufacturers that will make your experience better than others. The Cobra business is in stress right now and many promises are being made. When you hang your tag on your Cobra you want it to be something you can be proud of and show off to your friends. Most of the manufacturers still care about their customers but a very few of them only want to know if your check will clear. As was said above ...do your homework!

Clois Harlan

jams · #6 (**permalink**) 09-03-2010, 06:28 AM

very happy with mine and had it since 2001. All cobras have pros and cons and range in quality and price. Pick the one that fits you best.

dlampe · #7 (**permalink**) 09-03-2010, 07:21 AM

Almost exactly 12 years ago I was where you are now and I made the trip to several Cobra Manufacturers and decided on a B&B. My experience back then was a good one and my Cobra was built about as well as one could be at that time. However my best friend, also a B&B Cobra owner, went back to B&B for another project and was promised the moon by Bryan and he didn't deliver. In fact there was a span of 4 months when Bryan wouldn't even talk to him even though he had paid him 100% of the agreed price. This was after Barry had left and we quickly learned the quality and professionalism moved across the street. The Coupe was finally picked up and the workmanship was beyond shoddy. Nothing was as promised and the reconstruction costs have been tremendous. There is more but this may not be the right forum for this kind of response. I just don’t want your dream destroyed by a slick salesman.

Barry McGill has his own company now called McGill’s Street Rods ( www.mcgills-streetrods.com ) and he is making the Cobra's with the same quality and professionalism I remember. I would highly recommend giving Barry a call if you are seriously interested in a Cobra

Again, my B&B was an awesome car but after seeing my buddy fight this last project for years, I think its time to say it like it is.

Cobra Okie · #8 (**permalink**) 09-03-2010, 07:25 PM

If you're thinking of a B&B Cobra, you're certainly on the right track! Bought my full-turnkey Cobra from them a couple of years ago and have been most pleased with that decision. Bought it as a driver and that I did, having over 10k miles in the first year. During that time had only two small problems, a bad ignition module and a bad voltage regulator in the first couple of weeks, which B&B took care of immediately. Since that time it's been a flawless, exciting ride! I looked for a couple of years before deciding on buying from B&B, they made a great deal (dealt exclusively with Bryan), delivered the car in just over three months from order date, and the quality was beyond expectation. I don't think you'll find anything better, B&B builds a strong car, one of the best in the industry.

Be cautious of naysayers and their negative comments, it's easy to be critical, but where are they spending their money?? Last month I placed a new order with B&B for a Daytona coupe, so you know where I'm spending mine!! If you have any questions, you're welcome to contact me directly.

Enjoy the experience, it's a real dilly!!

Cheers, Bob, Grove, OK.

dlampe · #9 (**permalink**) 09-03-2010, 08:21 PM

I didn't spend it at B&B and I am sure my buddy wouldn't do it again either. Instead of calling me a naysayer, give me a call and talk to me. The facts are what they are. There is no personal agenda. I'm just trying to provide accurate feedback to a prospective buyer. As I said, my B&B was a really good car. The car I have seen recently had some serious issues that took a lot of time and money to fix. I'm glad you have had a good experience and I wish you the best with your coupe. Clois Harlan is building a coupe from B&B. I would certainly speak to him before I made any decisions.

Paul F · #10 (**permalink**) 09-04-2010, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karen Wells

Do your homework on the company. We heard the company was sold. We sell cobras and cobra parts too. Our molds are new. Barry and Bryan owned B&B Mfg. for many years and they broke up and went they own ways in Dec. of 2008. We are the other B in the B&B name and I know Barry will take care of you.We can get you prices on any kit you choose.

Karen, Your post is a bit unclear for me. For the sake of recording lineage of LAE, B & B, and McGill, I infer that:

- 'We' is McGill and that Bryan Anderson is McGill.
- Barry no longer is part of B&B either; sold it to someone else? Is this correct?
- the B & B forum heading should be edited to remove 'speak to Bryan Anderson'?

Can you tell us more about the McGill Cobras? New molds, same chassis design? What else would you like to share.

Thanks.

rustyBob · #11 (**permalink**) 09-04-2010, 12:22 PM

Seems strange that CobraStrike has only made just this one post...

I would at least come back to thank those who have responded...

guess he wasnt really interested in what we had to say...

redmt · #12 (**permalink**) 09-04-2010, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rustyBob

Seems strange that CobraStrike has only made just this one post...

I would at least come back to thank those who have responded...

guess he wasnt really interested in what we had to say...

I wouldn't be too harsh on the guy. Could be he's a little overwhelmed with some of the responses. I'm looking around too and this thread has been very informative.

John

dlampe · #13 (**permalink**) 09-05-2010, 06:21 AM

Cobrastrike,

I have a friend that has a B&B kit that is partially complete. He only needs the engine to have everything you need to finish the car. He really needs to get rid of it so if your interested, I could put you guys in touch.

Karen Wells · #14 (**permalink**) 09-07-2010, 03:41 PM

Hi Guys,
for the Cobrastrike guy that only had 1 post and never came back, I don't understand either , maybe he's not who he says he is.
For Paul, who has the L.A. Exotic cobra, L.A. Exotic put out a great cobra when they was building, they stopped being L.A.Exotics in 1995. There is hundreds of L.A. Exotics cars still on the road.
All that was said is there was guys looking at B&B Mfg. to possibly buy the contents and the name, don't know what happened to the deal. You can call Bryan or visit Bryan on his "Ask a question to Bryan Anderson "on the forum.
As I said in my previous post, Bryan and Barry separated in early Dec. of 2008 from the company, called B&B Manufacturing. They built cars together at B&B Manufacturing from 1997 to 2008.
Bryan mostly sold the car and Barry would do the customer service after the sale and both of them would help build the cars. I'm only saying, the quality and customer service after the separation maybe different,like Dean said in a previous post.
Barry had new molds made of all the fiberglass parts and body, they are the same body but fresher so the fiberglass pieces will be better and then you will have a better shell,the body and frame are your biggest part of your car. Fiberglass gets worn down and tired. For the frame, its the same rectangular style and the same heavy steel under the body.
For the guys who said they had cars from Bryan and B&B Mfg. in 2001 and they had no problems and good communications with Bryan you have to remember Barry was still there too until late 2008. Barry put alot of pride in his company too. B&B Mfg. built alot of great , reliable cars. They did make a good car I was there and I saw it everyday.
For the new guys reading these posts from the cobra owners, visit the shops,ask lots of questions of previous cobra owners, look at their cars, don't make a hasty decision. Your spending alot of money for your dream car,spend it well. If you have questions about any the posts contact me, there is many manufacturers building cobras these days and many who are not around anymore its a world of pros and cons. I'm not throwing mud at any company, only want everyone to know what is out there. "GOOD LUCK".

Paul F · #15 (**permalink**) 09-07-2010, 05:36 PM

Thanks for the update Karen.

CobraStrike · #16 (**permalink**) 09-07-2010, 06:30 PM

Just to let everyone know I am very thankful for the thoughts and opinions that were given and yes rustybob i was very interested. I didn't really care for the mudslinging that seemed to come out of a couple of corners but thats life lol. Just to let you know i didn't rush to reply back because i wanted to get alot of advice i could think about and also i have been on vacation. But while on vacation i slipped over to B&B and took a look around and what i found was several frames, body's, and complete cars. Maybe i'm no expert but what i found was very impressive and i saw nothing that would make me think they were nothing other than experianced, professional, and quality. And I'm not talking from what i was told by Brian or any one else i don't care about words i want to see quality and i was impressed. Thank you all for all the advice.

brett777 · #17 (**permalink**) 09-07-2010, 07:59 PM

hi the seller said it was built in south carolina. but i cannot find any builders there on the web. the quaility is very good but it does not have side vents indented or cut into the sides. i'm not sure if this means anything or i'm to cut them out myself. it needs sterring column and i'm hoping somone can help me to which one to but. i believe the front susp is mustang . any help would be a blessing to me. thank you brett

rustyBob · #18 (**permalink**) 09-08-2010, 06:46 PM

I stand corrected then......

while you where on vacation and at the B@B plant did you
get to drive one of these to see if it was indeed the car for you ???

plus you where also not that far from Hurricane or Shell Valley
have you been looking at them also ???

CobraStrike · #19 (**permalink**) 09-11-2010, 08:18 PM

Thanks for the advice RustyBob but i don't see how i was that close. Hurricane is 415 miles from B&B and ShellValley is 445 miles away. Besides i felt i was very lucky to get my wife to let me go to one car place during our vacation maybe i should let you ask her if we can run to the others lol. But in all seriousness i haven't made any decisions yet i'm just looking at thats why i asked for the advice. Thanks alot.

lnfletcher · #20 (**permalink**) 09-16-2010, 08:26 AM

CobraStrike,
Like you, I convenced my wife 6 years ago while on vacation to go by B&B and look at their cars and operation. One year later (2005) I bought my kit from them and could not be more pleased. I worked with Karen and Barry and they could not have been better to work with. I didn't get the chance to meet or talk to Brian during or after my purchase.
I have lately considered starting another project but after reading this thread, I have had some questions. I also remember a number of posts concerning the front shock mounts on the newer kits which made me wonder why they changed a good thing. This may be explained by the division in the company. Hopefully they have gotten it worked out. If I went by and looked at the operation and it looked good, that may be all you need, but if you are like me, I was all excided and would have bought one on the spot because I loved these cars so much. McGills was close (if I understand it right) and it may have been beneficial to go by and look at his.
All this said, I am one of B&B's biggest fans and have told everyone I know that I believe they make one of, if not the best kits out there, and will continure unless I find out different.