[Ace23]

Originally Posted by Agar426

Hello all!

I am a long time Cobra and Cobra replica fan. Owning one has long been on my bucket list. I have seen many threads on which kit is best, which engine combos is best, etc. etc. My question is less specific to the kit, (although I have plenty of questions there), but more about ownership in general.

I currently own a 1967 Mustang Fastback S-Code. It is a numbers matching car that is in very good shape, therefore I would think it has some value. The reason I bring this up is because I could use it as seed money for a replica purchase.

Here is my initial over arching question, and I realize the question is too general to nail down but....generally speaking, what is it like to own/drive one of these cars? Can there be a reasonable expectation of reliability, comfort, performance, practicality, etc? Is it terrible once the trip goes past 100 miles, or is it a cross country type ride? In between? I realize the quality of the kit and the build is a major factor. I am not out for all out speed or performance. I want a build that feels like a well built car, not like a cobbled together concoction that barely passes the requirements. I think that pretty much any drivetrain will perform beyond my ability to drive it, so I would not be seeking a full blown stroker FE build. I would be looking at either a mild FE, or perhaps one of Ford's crate 427 Windsor engines.....not the hotter one, the milder dual plane version. That would have MORE than enough performance for me. I would also want an OD tranny and EFI, but not a high end MPFI, probably something like the MSD Atomic EFI. I've always had a liking for the Superformance cars, but I'm not sure my budget can support that. Factory Five is high on my list as well, but I'm not sure that with my skills I could achieve the build quality I'm after.

Anyhow, I realize my questions are very general, and probably repeated a million times. I did search this and several other forums. Most newbie discussions are about one kit versus another. I'm not there yet. I just want to know if the loss of my Fastback would be worth the gain on the other end.

Thank you!

I'm 30 and I just purchased my first cobra which is a Superformance that was local in town. There is probably a significant age gap between us but I don't that matters too much if we have the same common interest. This was the exact car that I wanted.....has a 427 Windsor. So far I have replaced the carb and taken it to a dyno to have it tuned. I plan on driving it much more than the previous owner and there are a few things that have popped up that I need to get sorted. Overall I'm extremely happy with the car and could not imagine owning anything else or having the desire to drive anything else. I feel like I am in a race car its just such a raw car and allows you to experience motoring like no other vehicle I have been in. I don't think you can go wrong with Superformance, the later Backdraft cars or a Factory Five that a reputable builder has commissioned. I find my car to be very comfortable but if I was doing long road trips or was driving thousands of miles I could see going to a Coyote motor or a milder version of the small block. Since I have had my car dyno tuned it runs like a fuel injected car.....I think a carb is pretty hard to beat when properly tuned. My advice is to go to the London show and take a look around at all the cars. I went with the Superformance because it was local to me and I knew that if I bought it and found out I wasn't a "cobra" guy that it would be easier to resell than many other cars. I think if you currently have a 67 mustang and enjoy it then this would be an easy transition as far as the technology goes.....If you were going from a 2014 ZR1 corvette it may be something you wouldn't care for. I can't think of anything else more fun to driver or cruise in. Have you ever had motorcycles? If so I find it to be very similar to my past motorcycle days. I don't look at the car as a chore to have to go take a spin in....I seem to keep finding ways to make time to go drive it. I would look at used cars as there are a lot on the market and there I no sense in spending top dollar for a new build for your first car unless the depreciation doesn't bother you. I wanted to spend my time driving at not building.....I have tons of respect for guys that build their own cars but it doesn't interest me. If I had the down time I could see where it would be rewarding but building a car would take me forever and I did not want to go through those trial and tribulations.