Ok now that you have had your Cobra what would you change

[Buzz]

Originally Posted by twobjshelbys

You're describing a Corvette.

Interesting discussion. Precisely the type of soul searching and honest reckoning that I'm processing right now. The sale of my beloved Unique Motorcars Cobra and my move to Canada where replica options are drastically curtailed, has me looking at all options.

I really don't like the idea of hacking up and changing a Cobra into something it was never meant to be. It's desirability comes from its purposeful and functional purity of design and to add conspicuous things like modern high back seats and a bigger, taller body ruin that for me. Some people just want a brutally fast sports car and so something with a few Cobra styling cues and vaguely similar shape - like some modern "replicas" - is Cobra enough for them. To me it just looks mismatched and awkward.

Now, I too find myself wanting some things my Cobra - any true Cobra - simply cannot deliver. I want to be less dependent on good weather so I can enjoy driving more and go greater distances. I want to enjoy the drives along with my wife, and I also want music. As much as I love the sidepipe symphony, I'm craving more now. Windows that go up and down. A convertible top that actually works. Big, powerful brakes. Air conditioning even?

I love Cobras - I think I always will. But I have a sinking feeling that I may have outgrown them for my own personal use. I still want a smallish two seat roadster with low slung, classic lines, big tires and a powerful V8 powerplant. So am I just describing a Corvette? I've owned C4 Vettes and that's not what I'm looking for. Too big, heavy and bulky. The modern convertibles surround you with too much bodywork - high sills, high back seats and a fussy, complicated interior. You do not have that 360 degree view, open air feel that you get in a Cobra. Not even close.

One day recently, I stumbled across a solution that really has my attention.



Yes its a Corvette - but its a classic C1 with a full Art Morisson chassis, a 6 speed T56, modern suspension, tires and brakes and a strong, LS or LT V8. Right now it ticks all the boxes for me. I love the whole aesthetic, the basic comforts and the performance. I think I'm in love again.

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by Buzz

Yes its a Corvette - but its a classic C1 with a full Art Morisson chassis, a 6 speed T56, modern suspension, tires and brakes and a strong, LS or LT V8. Right now it ticks all the boxes for me. I love the whole aesthetic, the basic comforts and the performance. I think I'm in love again.

Exactly what I had in mind when I said Corvette. That generation, besides the 63 split window, are the only ones I ever liked. But the C1 is classic. Plus it's factory made which means any parts are readily available. Do all those things to a Cobra and every piece is unique hand made and if anything ever happens, probably irreplaceable. If what you want is the inside of a corvette then put a Cobra skin on one.

[Unique427]

Originally Posted by Buzz

Interesting discussion. Precisely the type of soul searching and honest reckoning that I'm processing right now. The sale of my beloved Unique Motorcars Cobra and my move to Canada where replica options are drastically curtailed, has me looking at all options.

I really don't like the idea of hacking up and changing a Cobra into something it was never meant to be. It's desirability comes from its purposeful and functional purity of design and to add conspicuous things like modern high back seats and a bigger, taller body ruin that for me. Some people just want a brutally fast sports car and so something with a few Cobra styling cues and vaguely similar shape - like some modern "replicas" - is Cobra enough for them. To me it just looks mismatched and awkward.

Now, I too find myself wanting some things my Cobra - any true Cobra - simply cannot deliver. I want to be less dependent on good weather so I can enjoy driving more and go greater distances. I want to enjoy the drives along with my wife, and I also want music. As much as I love the sidepipe symphony, I'm craving more now. Windows that go up and down. A convertible top that actually works. Big, powerful brakes. Air conditioning even?

I love Cobras - I think I always will. But I have a sinking feeling that I may have outgrown them for my own personal use. I still want a smallish two seat roadster with low slung, classic lines, big tires and a powerful V8 powerplant. So am I just describing a Corvette? I've owned C4 Vettes and that's not what I'm looking for. Too big, heavy and bulky. The modern convertibles surround you with too much bodywork - high sills, high back seats and a fussy, complicated interior. You do not have that 360 degree view, open air feel that you get in a Cobra. Not even close.

One day recently, I stumbled across a solution that really has my attention.



Yes its a Corvette - but its a classic C1 with a full Art Morisson chassis, a 6 speed T56, modern suspension, tires and brakes and a strong, LS or LT V8. Right now it ticks all the boxes for me. I love the whole aesthetic, the basic comforts and the performance. I think I'm in love again.

That Corvette C1 is quite stunning.

Going from an angry Cobra to a refined restomod C1 of that caliber is
like throwing out your Rolling Stones collection for The Beatles.

[Buzz]

Originally Posted by Unique427

That Corvette C1 is quite stunning.

Going from an angry Cobra to a refined restomod C1 of that caliber is
like throwing out your Rolling Stones collection for The Beatles.

Lol - partially true, but with all of the available powertrain options - 500-700HP LS/LT's or even an old school 572ci big block, they can be quite frisky.
Still definitely no Cobra in terms of raw, elemental performance though.

[t walgamuth]

Originally Posted by Buzz

Interesting discussion. Precisely the type of soul searching and honest reckoning that I'm processing right now. The sale of my beloved Unique Motorcars Cobra and my move to Canada where replica options are drastically curtailed, has me looking at all options.

I really don't like the idea of hacking up and changing a Cobra into something it was never meant to be. It's desirability comes from its purposeful and functional purity of design and to add conspicuous things like modern high back seats and a bigger, taller body ruin that for me. Some people just want a brutally fast sports car and so something with a few Cobra styling cues and vaguely similar shape - like some modern "replicas" - is Cobra enough for them. To me it just looks mismatched and awkward.

Now, I too find myself wanting some things my Cobra - any true Cobra - simply cannot deliver. I want to be less dependent on good weather so I can enjoy driving more and go greater distances. I want to enjoy the drives along with my wife, and I also want music. As much as I love the sidepipe symphony, I'm craving more now. Windows that go up and down. A convertible top that actually works. Big, powerful brakes. Air conditioning even?

I love Cobras - I think I always will. But I have a sinking feeling that I may have outgrown them for my own personal use. I still want a smallish two seat roadster with low slung, classic lines, big tires and a powerful V8 powerplant. So am I just describing a Corvette? I've owned C4 Vettes and that's not what I'm looking for. Too big, heavy and bulky. The modern convertibles surround you with too much bodywork - high sills, high back seats and a fussy, complicated interior. You do not have that 360 degree view, open air feel that you get in a Cobra. Not even close.

One day recently, I stumbled across a solution that really has my attention.



Yes its a Corvette - but its a classic C1 with a full Art Morisson chassis, a 6 speed T56, modern suspension, tires and brakes and a strong, LS or LT V8. Right now it ticks all the boxes for me. I love the whole aesthetic, the basic comforts and the performance. I think I'm in love again.

There are a number of these resto vettes out there now. I like them a lot and would prefer a 55 to 57 model to build on. Putting a cobra body over a new vette I think you might find the cobra a significantly smaller car then the vette. The cobra is pretty much identical to the size of a Miata.

.so a monster miata might be a good way to go too. The all aluminum LS motor can be put in with a kit or by an outfit that does them. Of course they look like the mild mannered choir boy vs a real butch linebacker kindof aesthetic....which they will go like.

[Buzz]

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

There are a number of these resto vettes out there now. I like them a lot and would prefer a 55 to 57 model to build on. Putting a cobra body over a new vette I think you might find the cobra a significantly smaller car then the vette. The cobra is pretty much identical to the size of a Miata.

.so a monster miata might be a good way to go too. The all aluminum LS motor can be put in with a kit or by an outfit that does them. Of course they look like the mild mannered choir boy vs a real butch linebacker kindof aesthetic....which they will go like.

I agree. The look of a Miata just doesn't do it for me. After driving a Cobra for so many years, almost everything else looks and feels too "plain Jane" ho-hum to stir my pot. These Vettes come close though.