Where to find a before 1977 cobra?

norway thomas · #1 (**permalink**) 11-11-2010, 04:25 AM

Hey there.
I'm new here.good site!
I have been searching a bit around to find my soon to be dream car. A Cobra (replica).. In order to get it in to norway with lisence plates on it have to be made before the roule of crash testing cars in Norway started in 1977. (all cars after 1977 have to be crash tested..)Doesent matter if it's titled as a 1965 or so.. Is there anyone that can give me some idea where to search for these cars? I have been looking in here too of course but there aint many in that "age".. I would like it to be in deacent condition too.. I'm going to spend from 20 000$ to around 40 000$ on the car..
Thanks for all tips regarding this.

SunDude · #2 (**permalink**) 11-11-2010, 05:49 AM

I think your selection of pre-1977 Cobra replicas is pretty limited: Arntz, Kellison. Unique Motorcars started producing them in 1977. Can't think of too many other brands that would qualify.

Excaliber · #3 (**permalink**) 11-11-2010, 06:22 AM

Is that a new law there? A few years ago I almost sold my car to a guy in Norway and he said he needed one that was built before 1986, not 1977.

It was for tax reasons he needed a 1986 or older car.

norway thomas · #4 (**permalink**) 11-11-2010, 07:48 AM

ok, i didnt know that SunDude.. can make it a bit harder to find'em then yes..
-thanks

Excaliber, I think it is a recent new law yes.. not quite sure when it was stated... I was talking to a fellow that have a Factory Five Cobra.. he could tell that the goverment is really agressive twards these kinds of cars. they do not want them on the road. Its really hard to get them aproved for norwegian roads now.. so I have a big challenge ahead...

Excaliber · #5 (**permalink**) 11-11-2010, 07:59 AM

Norway was very picky about "proof" of the year as well, for the 1986 deal. It feel through because they were looking for FIRST YEAR the car was registered, not built or whatever. In my case the car was first registered in 1987, all though completed in 1986, the deal fell through.

SunDude · #6 (**permalink**) 11-11-2010, 08:37 AM

The Canadian government does something similar. They do not care when a Cobra kit was built. They care only about when the kit was originally completed and registered for the road. This is how the establish the car's age and, therefore, its eligibility for importation (15 yrs or older).

And this gets complicated by the fact that a lot of Cobra replicas in the U.S. are titled as "1965 Cobras" or similar. Sometimes you find a car that was built 15 yrs ago, but because the title says "1965 Cobra" on it, you've got no way to prove its true age.

Thomas, you should clarify exactly what the Norwegian government is looking for too. It can make a world of difference.

Excaliber · #7 (**permalink**) 11-11-2010, 08:50 AM

Sounds like Norway is now interested in "crash testing data".

That is an argument that has been used here in the USA for decades as well. Among other things it is the #1 reason why we have "kit cars" and not "new complete cars". The crash testing data is cost prohibitive. That is why Excalibur went out of business. They had a temporary Fed permit that allowed them to operate, build and deliver, 100% turn key "Cobras" (sold at Ford dealerships). When the temp license expired they had to come up with "crash data", they didn't have the money, that killed them.

I wonder, as Excaliburs ARE 100% Federally authorized and legal vehicles in all regards, I wonder if they would meet the Norway requirements? Along the same lines would be the Canadian built Aurora Cobras, also meeting Fed requirements. In either case, Aurora or Excalibur, these cars were also sold internationally. Germany has a number of Excaliburs, for instance, Aurora's can be found world wide as well.

One other example of totally legal 100% turn key car would be the Autokraft Cobra, which was built a long time ago, what year was that?

ItBites · #8 (**permalink**) 11-11-2010, 09:07 AM

I think early 1990s for the autokraft cars?

SunDude · #9 (**permalink**) 11-11-2010, 10:10 AM

Check out one of my earlier threads on this subject.

ha_pe_1968 · #10 (**permalink**) 11-11-2010, 11:02 AM

Hi Thomas!

Not absolutely sure but thought Contemporary is long in the business too and have seen top quality Contemporarys - i am sure that someone will be around which knows more about it then me.
The other way is to buy a Cobra in Germany which is a member of the EU too. You will have a 1965 title (even for a newer car) ...one of the advantages if you buy in the EU...German 1965 is Norway 1965. With a 1965 title from the states you will have lots of problems and a high risk to get a title finally in Norway. Of course if you buy a Superformance, ERA or Backdraft in the EU you will be a lot above USD 40.000...with a FFR from the EU it should be possible to be in that range. In UK you will find lots of Cobras (Pilgrim, RAM, Gardner Douglas....) and these cars should be at your budget. It depends what you are searching for...of course you can not compare a Pilgrim to a Superformace, ERA or so.

Peter

PS: was in the same situation last year and have found my way..if you want something really bad you will get it
PSPS: hope next year the pikes in Norway will bite better then this year :-)