It would be more than fair... to FFR.:D

mudracer, to explain patrick's last post, the FFR bodies have always been known to have a "perky butt" - i.e. the back end is lifted in comparison to the original. The trunk lid has a sharp angle to it. Also look where the exhaust exits in comparison to the side vents. Many differences. Not bad, just different. until we really see the new Mark IV FFR body, we won't know how it compares.

The SPF has a slightly raised butt. The ERA, to me, looks the most original of the fiberglass bodies.

see:
http://www.erareplicas.com/427/profiles/index.htm

For accuracy (visually) but not too expensive, check out Hurricane.
http://www.hurricane-motorsports.com/index.jsp
Larry

I would look at suspension , chassis and body lines.

Looking at some of those, like Era, the suspension doesnt impress me much with the Jag rear suspension, not a fan of the inward brakes next to the differential.Im also not a fan of some of the chassis that some are built on, and not really into the solid rear axle that alot of the replicas have. Its gotta have IRS!! You want a car that can handle good, if not better than the original, so it can also play the part instead of just looking like the part . oh and disc brakes all around =)

I think that new factory five mkIV looks great. They corrected some of the rear butt issues.

Relative to "period correct", the Contemporary kits comes very close to the originals. Given they have jag components the balance of the car is one real close match. I have driven an original '67 and have some old photos to compare. Some small differences excluding Jag rear and front end were door pulls and inside door panel finish (no leather or pouches). As I recall it was almost a velvet type of material finish that looked sprayed on to the inner panel. Radiator tilt vs vertical stance in Contemporary. Too bad Contemporary isn't around any longer they were certainly, in my opinion one of the best.

I didn't give the chassis and suspension that much credit for originality when I was looking. You can't see it anyway and new technology on suspension is much better than the 40 year old tech. New IRS designs have better geometry and give me some of those big brakes! Just hide them behind some knock offs with billboards! The original style chassis is not as rigid as the new box steel frames with appropriate bracing. Engineers have proven this. I don't have an ERA but it would be the best glass car outside of the Shelby's.

I hope to post some pictures for you from the new Hurricane factory where they are working on the first 2 cars. They will be much closer to original in appearance the rest available under $50K.

Make a list of what "original" means to you and research your tail off. Call some of the forum members and ask questions. People will say anything on the net and you don't know what their experience is. They could be a 12 year old with a cobra poster in their room! Take this stuff with a grain of salt.

Outside of this and a few other web sites most people wouldn't know what a real Cobra should look like. For most of the population it is a recognition of the profile side pipes or badging. I think we put to much emphasis on originality, sort of like marrying a virgin. Not likely to find many of those in this day and time either.

Without a doubt there are manufacturers that are committed to building better products than others. Some do this without a lot of hype and several manufacturers come to mind that have been mentioned on this thread already. Some manufacturers just want your money and in return you will eventually get something like you were promised that at first blush resembles a Cobra. It has been my experience that to the vast majority of people (that know Cobra's are not Corvettes) don't sort out the differences from a quality standpoint or for originality when they first see one. They just want to take some pictures or tell us a story about their cousins Cobra. It is kind of like talking to someone my age and asking them about Woodstock. Of course they were there!

I guess in short we should all be thakful we have Cobra's, Coupes, GT40's etc. and can actually come to this site and argue with one another about whose is best. We are a fortunate group and I think a little of "mines better than yours is good". It keeps everyone in the game. By the way I really do have a Real Original Cobra headlight ring on my Cobra, I just can't remember which one it was because I bought it at Woodstock for $5 in 1969!

:)

Clois

I suppose my comments may have left one or two manufacturers out in the cold. And I haven't personally seen each and every brand up close. Which is why I started the reply with "In my opinion".

Most here seem to be debating the shape of the body as to whether or not it is "accurate". This, for me, is only part of the equation. The frame, suspension, interior, dash, wheels, whether or not it has an FE in a 427 body style, lift-a-dots for the top, side curtain ferrules, roll bar (single or dual, right diameter tubing, right angle), etc. These all add up to whether the car looks like an original or not. Some brands you can spot right away. Others need a closer look to determine what they are. Some guys are building a Cobra street rod. Others desire one that makes a purist take a second look.

My advice still stands. It's a personal decision. Check out as many different brands as possible. I prefer brunettes. You may like blondes.

Thank you Clois.

Nobody ever talks much about a Butler these days....and in my eyes, she's damn near perfect, but then of course...she is an "older lady" :rolleyes:

It’s difficult to determine what body shape is the most accurate. Last year at the Mecum Indianapolis Auction, there were three real 427 Cobras. Each had different body line characteristics and each was different from side to side, not a mirror image like a replica. I also was at the Shelby museum in Colorado last year and same thing, each 427 looks different and is different from side to side.
I remember talking to the Kirkham’s very early in their process of building a replica and they said that their real Cobra was different from side to side. To correct this on their replica, they did a mirror image of one side rather than build a car with two different dimensions on each side.

ERA always had a body I loved, they picked a great Cobra to splash a body off of. Same with Contemporary Cobra even though they no longer manufacturer a car, theirs was a great look.

For the money, I think Superformance builds a great car, my love goes with an aluminum car, though.

Hey Doug,

Are going to bring your CSX to the 2010 Run N Gun in Hastings, Nebraska Sept 23-25? This year we are going to be pretty close to your home town.

Clois Harlan
Run N Gun 2010

I'm considering it. It would be fun to let loose the 427 George built for me. I'm not sure my Cobra will be painted by then or not. Might have to bring a Mustang instead.