Cheapest Cobra 289/427 Kit

[YerDugliness]

Out of respect for the OP's intent, which is to get into a replica as inexpensively as possible, I thought I ought to point out that there are companies who will sell their kits in "stages". Stage one might be the frame only, stage two the suspension/steering, stage three the body, stage four the interior, stage five the items needed to complete the build, like gas tank, radiator, wiring harness, etc. While I may have gotten certain groups of equipment in wrong stages, you get the idea.

I think Street Beasts does this, don't they? Does anyone know of any other manufacturers who do this?

For someone on a limited budget, that might be the route to choose. I fear that in the end buying a kit in stages would be more expensive than purchasing the entire kit at one time, but for someone with more time and ambition than money it might be the difference between eventually driving a replica and driving a Yugo.

Cheers from Dugly

[dallas_]

Originally Posted by YerDugliness

For someone on a limited budget, that might be the route to choose. I fear that in the end buying a kit in stages would be more expensive than purchasing the entire kit at one time,

True, and sometimes they run out of money and never get finished.

I'm of the opinion that these are toys and it's usually better to have sufficient disposable income to comfortably purchase such a toy without undue financial stress. If you can't afford it, save up until you can.

Now, where's that soapbox icon??

[YerDugliness]

Originally Posted by dallas_

I'm of the opinion that these are toys and it's usually better to have sufficient disposable income to comfortably purchase such a toy without undue financial stress. If you can't afford it, save up until you can.

Agreed, Dallas!

When I bought my replica, I bought one that I felt comfortable using on a daily basis. I bought one at a reasonable price ($18,200 and drove it home from Dallas, TX), one that I felt would run and run without needing constant attention (the drivetrain is reported to be out of a 1989 Mustang GT, I think it's box-stock except for the intake manifold and carb), and one that I could work on if needed (I just crawled out from under it 2 hours ago, having replaced ALL the urethane bushings on the parallel 4-bar rear suspension).

I paid cash for it so that I would not have a bank telling me I had to carry full coverage insurance. I insure it for liability only and when in traffic I drive it like a grandpa (well, I am, sorta, my step-kids both have children ).

I'm about to undertake a change of the intake/carb system....going with cash for that, too.

These ARE toys, regardless of how much we think we'll use them, and as such they should not be a financial burden on the family. It's important to keep the priorities straight, no?

Cheers from Dugly