I was thinking the other day that most local kit manufacturers probably evolved from wanting to build a Cobra themselves, and had the skills, resources and perhaps acquired a body mould or something as the impetus. Having built one they realised the demand and started producing them for others. Maybe variations to this story, but would this be a fair guess? Perhaps warwick or marty or someone can attest to this - I have no actual idea who but I am sure some started this way.
If this is the case, their first car was effectively their 'prototype', even though that was perhaps not intended.
This approach seems to be completely reasonable, and just different to AP's approach. One is more theortical and the other more practical. One uses pure hands-on mechanical skills (brilliant! - I am in awe of this by the way) where the other uses computer aided tech (that I might add was possibly not even readily available when previous kits were designed!).
I do not believe either is inherently superior. Neither is better or worse. Just different.
Like crowd funding or venture capital, there is an inherent risk for early adopters (such as current Pace427 buyers, or early buyers of great kits like FFR for example, or early Harrisons or CRs - all have significantly evolved to what they are now) that what you get may not be 100% as expected and it is up to the individual to make their own assessments as to the level of risk they are prepared to take. I have never seen one single build thread, or heard of one kit build that did not involve some fair degree of fabrication, emissions challenges, re-fabrication, modification or something in order to make an engine fit, exhaust work, body fit, wiring reach, wheels and tyres not rub, etc, etc.
In the end, people do business with people, not companies, so the large part of it is based on the rapport you build with the manufacturer, their agent, or your recommender.
Hence why I encourage you to talk, face to face, with other cobra owners, builders, engineers and manufacturers.
[/soap-box]
Great thread by the way....
... I do hope it is helping Jasbel!
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