Quote:
Originally Posted by priobe
Understandable the first 2 reasons, are there any particular manufactures that make it more difficult to build for the 3rd reason?
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The assumption here is the kits in question aren't turnkey like Superformance or ERA's where you just add motor, tranny and liquids - more like Backdraft, FFR, Hurricane, etc. I suspect.
As mentioned before, the least expensive part of a Cobra build is the kit itself.
The lack of talent dawns upon people when you come to the realization, you must become the plumber, mechanic, electrician, fabricator and sometimes welder, all in short order. Some builders then rely upon outside help in each of these areas, depending upon where the lack of talent exists.
Having never built a car before, but having modified cars most of my adult life, I was pretty concerned about the "fabrication and welding" because I've never welded before. This led me to FFR back in 2002-2003. But I found out through the process I had the fortitude to learn all of the sub-trades, with plumbing being the most enjoyable to learn. Electronics I knew, and I have 4 torque wrenches and pneumatic tools and pretty good knowledge on how to put an engine together. Fabrication turned out to be pretty fun as well. Never had to weld until the very end and a neighbor was kind enough (brave enough) to let me weld a lower radiator bracket.
I think the 'lack of talent' part is really just something that's never reviewed by the purchaser before receiving the full kit. At least that's what I think. I find it ironic that something as analog as a 65' replica Cobra, requires a lot of digital research on the internet. It helped me solidify the idea that I CAN build one.
One more thing about "why" kits go incomplete... medical reasons have been cited in the past. Someone that thinks they'll build one when they retire and a year or two later, some ailment occurs. It's one of the reasons I told my wife I wanted to BUILD one before 50, citing those types of reasons. I got my FFR at 46.