[klayfish]

Steve,
Welcome to the forum. I'll answer the questions that I feel somewhat qualified to answer.

As for the best kit, there is no right answer. It is a matter of personal taste. The debate has raged and always will. Kind of like Camaro vs. Mustang or Ford vs. Chevy. Truthfully, I think most of the kits out there today are "good" kits if built right. All may have different strengths and weaknesses. Decide what you want from the car (authenticity, show, race, cruise), then research which one fits your needs best. For me, I was on a lower budget, so I wanted bang for the buck. I have a Factory Five and am thrilled with it. But the SPF, ERA, A&C, etc...are also fantastic cars. Sorry to be so non-commital, but it's an impossible question to answer.

As for weight of the car, it depends on the make of car and the options in it. At the Spring Fling, which is THE big Cobra gathering (we had several hundred Cobras there), they had a 4 corner scale set up. I saw numbers as low as 2050, up to about 2800 lbs. My FFR, which at the time had a 302, weighed in at 2130 with a FULL tank of fuel. So, it would be around 2000 lbs. dry.

Their reliability depends on the parts used. The more high strung the car, the more likely it is to break. A solidly built car should have no more problems than any other Ford car. Again, it depends on what you chose. I have a 351W and T5 trans. Parts are cheap and plentiful.

As for race ready, it depends on what you mean by race. If you have the proper roll bars, you can open track the Cobra no problem. Remember, they are based on old technology, so they probably won't make the worlds fastest open track car, but it is fun as hell!! FFR makes a Spec Racer car, and sponsors a racing series with their cars. They have roll cages, etc... So, in short, yes they can go on the open track as is. But the more $$$ you spend, the better you can make the car.

Options again depend on what you want in the car. Do you want it to look original? Interested in more modern safety (high back seats)? Quick jack bumpers or standard? Heater or just wear a jacket? Independent rear suspension or solid axle?

Again, welcome to the forum.

Steve