In the market for a kit

[KrackShotKarl]

Ladies and Gentlemen, I am currently living in Germany serving out great country, and will be moving back to the US soon, with a large desire to purchase a kit. I dont know a lot about other makers beside FFR. My main considerations/ selling points are:
- Price: I really dont want to spend more than 40K, but I dont want it to be a really cheap kit either as far as quality goes.
- Size- Im 6'4 and 220, I need a machine that can be modified to fit me comfortably, with out extremely painful, or costly work.
-Drivability- Im not looking for a track car, as much as a great street car.
-Customizability- I am decently set on wanting to put a '03 SVT Cobra engine in my kit, but if something comes over me, and I want a non Mustang engine, or even a non Ford engine, I dont want to have to do to many modifications, obviously some will have to be done though. Also, my wife is quite adamant about making this ours and doing the vast majority of the work ourselves, so we dont want a pre-painted kit, or one that is ready to drive.

So folks, sell me on what would fit these considerations.

[Dwight]

My friend Coach Mike has a Cobra for sale that fits your description. It's listed on CobraCountry.

I have several pictures in my gallery. I also have over 400 pictures of the build in my picture file.
Note that it has a Keith Craft 428 stroker motor. Very street-able, no issues. Coach has build a FFR, then the Hurricane and a Shell Valley Coupe. He sold the FFR but still has the Hurricane and Coupe. He wants to sell the Hurricane so he can build a '33. He drives the Cobra or Coupe every day that is does not rain. They are kept and well maintained in his 60' x 75' shop. Pictures in my gallery.

He has a wall full of trophies that he has won with the Hurricane.
You can email me if you want a picture of anything about the car.
Dwight
P.S. Coach removes and installs the top by himself.







For Sale: 1966 Hurricane 427S/C Cobra. Ford Vermilion Red w/white stripes and black pinstripes. The BIG Picture: Click Here! Under the hood: 428 Keith Craft stroker (461 cid). All engine info and dyno sheet (600 hp/ 619 ft.lbs. torque) included for you. Engine outfitted with all the good stuff: MSD distributor, 6AL box, Holley 750 carb. Canton front sump T-style oil pan. Edelbrock Hypo water pump. high-volume aluminum radiator with high rpm fan (2,800 cfm), March pulley setup. BIG Photo of powerplant: Click Here! Geartrain: Lakewood scattershield, Tremec 500 gearbox, rugged 9" Ford rear end (3.25:1 gear ratio), Moser axles. Suspension/brakes/rolling stock: 4-wheel 11" disc brakes, four QA1 adjustable, chromed, coil-over shocks. Wilwood pedal assembly and master cylinders, adjustable front upper control arms; rear end has three link adjustable control arms and panhard bar. Vintage Wheels fitted with Mickey Thompson tires. In the cockpit: period-correct hardwood-rimmed Cobra steering wheel, Classic Instruments gauges, fire extinguisher, black vinyl dash, seats and door panels with black carpet, black floormats trimmed with rich red piping; stainless steel footbox and upright support covers, 2-speed heater, wind wings and visor, doors and trunk weather-stripped, battery cutoff switch, trunk carpet. BIG Photo of cockpit: Click Here! You also get: black hard top with insulation and windows (sliders on each side), and a complete photo album of build and maintenance record. Very well taken care of, and this serpent has all the 'bugs' worked out. 8,800 miles on car and 8,000 on engine. This nimble little Cobra handles very well; it's extremely quick yet very streetable and driver-friendly; you can see and read more about it at the Hurricane-Motorsports.com website. BIG hardtop shot: Click Here! $37,500 obo [with the hard top]. Contact Mike at (256) 483-9472 CST, or email: MikeDLane@comcast.net
Florence, Alabama
14 July/October



Not the best pictures of Coach but a great picture of the Cobra


another road trip a few years ago

[*13*]

The market the way it is, buy a used car. You'll get so much more car for your money. I built mine when the market was good & it made sense. Glad I did it, but wouldn't do it now with all the nicely priced cars out there.

[Three Peaks]

For your list of qualifications for a kit, the FFR is probably the best for your purposes. Pricing is right there, should easily fit your size with some minor modifications/adjustmennts to the seating arrangements, quality kit and components are up to you- you can use as many donor or non-donor parts as your wallet allows, and comes without paint so you can make it yours. Also, they are great street cars as well as track cars if you get a hankering to go to an open track day once in awhile.

Bob

[Wbulk]

It would help you a lot if you used the search feature and read what you can on this subject. There are very few brands that are truely "a kit". Most are not like a model that you put together and follow the instructions step by step. Few even have a quality manual if one at all. Talk to people that have built or are building cars, not the manufacturers. Then when you have narrowed it down contact the manufactures. Building a car takes a large space, a lot of tools, and a fare amount of skill. Even if you have been working on cars for years you will be challenged.

There are a large amount of kits out there that have never been built because the buyer got in way over his head. If I was doing it again I would contact owners that are building an ERA and Hurricane and start from their. I have neither. Builders usually only know their brand. Very few guys have a broad range of experience with a lot of brands. You can learn a ton more by talking to guys on the phone. They will be more honest. People want their brand to stay in business so their car does not lose value. When you build a car it becomes part of you, good or bad. One other thing, your marriage needs to be rock solid. Good luck.

Wayne

[ZOERA-SC7XX]

Check out the ERA site. You only live once, and if building your own Cobra is what you both want, then give it a thought. ERA has just about the best looking Cobras on the planet, even though they are fiberglass. Small block FIA, big block 427, or slab side 289 Cobra, ERA will give you what you want the way you want it. They also have a comprehensive manual that leaves little to question.
And, they are great for larger drivers.

[PDUB]

There are a lot of great cars out there. Most guys will suggest that their brand is the best... which makes perfect sense!

Since I'm a Unique guy, I'll suggest you do yourself a favor and check out the Unique Motorcars and Unique Forums sites. They are an outstanding option. Other brands mentioned here are really good, too.

[Dwight]

We have several Uniques in our area. Both small block and big block. Great cars!

Check out their rollers. When you add up all the parts that you need for other brands of Cobra, you will find the price is about the same.

Compare apples with apples.

Dwight

[w-lewis]

I'll also vouch for Unique. The Weavers are top notch and will help you long after your purchase.

[YerDugliness]

The accolades for Unique products are true...very well engineered, quality fit, and in the years after you buy one, the factory has an annual "homecoming" weekend. Unique owners from all over the country come to the factory for this event and long-lasting friendships are formed. The Weaver family has a well deserved excellent reputation for customer service! Their forum is very user-friendly and fully open.

I, myself, am a fan of the Hurricane products, but I must admit that I am quite disappointed about one of their forum practices. While their product seems to be quite straight-forward to build, the forum has a "Dark Side" to which ONLY Hurricane owners are granted access. To me, this smacks of "We don't want the general public to know what kinds of problems they will encounter with our kits. so we'll keep that a secret until we have their money." Sorry, Hurricane....I've always championed your products, but I've always been quite honest about the "mistrust" that the "Dark Side" access issue creates. Hurricane does not, to my knowledge, make a 289 body model, although I do know that at one time they had a 289 project mule. That car used the same chassis as their 427 model, just a different body.

If you have the $$, you'd be wise to check out the ERA products. Great bodies, excellent reputation for reliability and longevity...but a fairly long wait was the norm in the past (although I have heard that they have managed to shorten the time somewhat). The ERA 289FIA would be my dream car if I could afford it.

The advice to buy an already completed replica should be given serious consideration. I am VERY happy with almost everything about the replica I bought used. I paid $18.5K and drove it home, got 25 miles per gallon on the highway, and have had only what I would consider "minimal" problems with it so far. However, you should keep in mind that NO component car is ever truly "finished"....for the previous owner or for you. They are like pre-owned houses, you'll find things you want to change about them as you are looking at them, and the previous owner will have made adaptations to make the car fit their idea of what it should be, not yours. Just a word to the wise, in case you think you'll be able to buy one and "drive it and forget it".

Cheers, Dugly

[elmariachi]

Originally Posted by YerDugliness

I, myself, am a fan of the Hurricane products, but I must admit that I am quite disappointed about one of their forum practices. While their product seems to be quite straight-forward to build, the forum has a "Dark Side" to which ONLY Hurricane owners are granted access. To me, this smacks of "We don't want the general public to know what kinds of problems they will encounter with our kits. so we'll keep that a secret until we have their money." Cheers, Dugly

Sorry, but I am calling BS on this comment because it could affect someone's decision to objectively evaluate Hurricane. The term "Dark Side" was coined by a few folks during the 2008-2009 "White-era" when Hurricane Part Deux went into receivership as a result of SEC fraud having nothing to do with the product. People were pissed at the Whites as new owners for not helping them with their builds, so there was some b*&^%g and moaning on the forum, as would be expected (BUT NOT NOT ABOUT THE PRODUCT). The new owners of Hurricane Motorsports have chosen to keep the owner's side of the forum closed but it not for the reason you mention. It is because we don't want all the mindless chatter and non-related commentary screwing up our build-related threads. There is nothing hidden about the product or any shameful ghosts in the closet. I am sure when you are ready to lay your money down Steve will grant you access ahead of time so you can see for yourself. I am including a screenshot below of the current threads on the "Dark Side." You're not missing anything.

With regard to the original poster, you should consider a Hurricane and see this thread. Its very original, people answer teh phone will you call, do what they say and and your body prep time will be significantly reduced over other kits, period.







Jim

[Don]

As part of your search and for comparison purposes, pricing, options, etc., etc., might want to check these two sites:

427 Cobra Country--Ford AC Cobra replica manufacturers SUPER-SITE

PhotoPost Classifieds - Main Index - Powered by PhotoPost Classifieds

Suggest that you actually drive your final choice to personally determine if your requirements have been met.

[patrickt]

I thought the "new Hurricane" cars were supposed to be pretty darn good ones -- like rivalling ERA. I was following their progress a couple of years ago, but somehow they dropped off my radar. I haven't seen anything on what they look like now, nifty things they're built with, etc. But, if they followed through on what was promised a couple of years ago, then they should be fine cars, and when built right, on a par with ERA. The thing is, when you're 6'4", you've got to have the car, any car, butt-tested. And that's just not Cobras -- I've had to do that with every car I've ever owned since I hit puberty....

[YerDugliness]

Originally Posted by elmariachi

Sorry, but I am calling BS on this comment because it could affect someone's decision to objectively evaluate Hurricane. The term "Dark Side" was coined by a few folks during the 2008-2009 "White-era" when Hurricane Part Deux went into receivership as a result of SEC fraud having nothing to do with the product. People were pissed at the Whites as new owners for not helping them with their builds, so there was some b*&^%g and moaning on the forum, as would be expected (BUT NOT NOT ABOUT THE PRODUCT). The new owners of Hurricane Motorsports have chosen to keep the owner's side of the forum closed but it not for the reason you mention.
Jim

Call BS if you want, Jim.

Then check out my membership data on the manufacturer's website, not the one Paul P started. You'll see that I have been a member of that forum for much longer than back when the "White" fiasco happened, and it WAS called "The Dark Side" back then, too. Get your fracts straight before you get all huffed up.

As for the perception that Hurricane is hiding something, I simply stated how it looks TO ME. I am a firm believer in doing one's due diligence before purchasing a big-ticket item, and the fact that Hurricane wants to hide the content of the "Dark Side" smacks of exactly what I stated, like it or not. I made a special trip to Lee's Summit to see the product, liked very much what I saw. I even took the time to call and talk to Dean Lampe personally, long before he built the new one (he was just starting his RCR40 build at the time, and he had nothing but positive comments for the Hurricane product).

Like I said, I've always championed the Hurricane product...with a big BUT for the company's "secretive" choice to keep the build thread info on the "Dark Side" available only to owners. It kept me from being able to perform my "due diligence" research, in the end kept me from buying a Hurricane kit b/c I couldn't get the info I needed to be prepared for the problems that occur in the build (and problems do occur in every build, it's the nature of the beast).

If it cost Hurricane my business, it might well do so even more easily for someone who did not do as I did....take the time to participate on the forum and familiarize myself with the product. Other than one board, I'm prohibited from participating on the forum Paul P. started b/c I don't own a Hurricane. Paul is quite specific that his forum is for OWNERS (or, in a few cases and with the limited access I mentioned, for "potential owners") ONLY. The manufacturer's forum does have a lot of information on it, but IMHO hiding the "Dark Side" causes suspicion in most folks. Why hide things that might help people make the decision to buy their product? Right....it is quite easy to believe that the only reason to hide info might well be to keep people from finding out why not to buy their product. I was quite specific with Mike (had very little direct communication with Rich) about the perception with which the practice left me (I did suggest that Rich and Mike offer "read only" access to the "Dark Side" for those who feel as strongly as I do, but they sold the business before the issue could be resolved).

Like it or not, that's the way I see it, and I doubt I'm alone.

It may surprise you to hear that I still hope to be a Hurricane owner someday, but since I want a 289 model, I'm waiting to see if the new owners are going to offer one. Yet, the 289 mule I saw in Lee's Summit used their standard 427 model chassis, so before I put ANY money down, I'd still need at least read-only access to the "Dark Side" to make my decision. It's my $$....just as whether or not to grant access is their choice.

YOMV, as is obvious...I'm not saying you're not entitled to it, just that mine is not BS, as you called.

Dugly

[elmariachi]

Originally Posted by YerDugliness

As for the perception that Hurricane is hiding something, I simply stated how it looks TO ME.

And I am telling you that you are wrong. I am not disagreeing with the notion that you should be entitled to as much information as you can get before buying a product, and your decision to NOT buy because you couldn't get access to all the data is certainly your prerogative. But you inferred that upstanding business people with a bunch of money invested are hiding something:

Originally Posted by YerDugliness

To me, this smacks of "We don't want the general public to know what kinds of problems they will encounter with our kits. so we'll keep that a secret until we have their money."

This is an absolute misrepresentation that could impact the OP's decision (as it apparently did yours) not to consider Hurricane. With regard to the facts, I DO HAVE access to the closed forum and there is nothing hidden there that would cause anyone to regret buying a Hurricane. 130 sold, none returned after access to the Dark Side. Its because actually its the Bright Side, full of love and insight on Happy Hurricane Ownership.

To the OP, there is nothing hiding in the Hurricane closed forum to scare you off. There have been ~130 cars built and many of them are covered there stem to stern. You will not encounter one single problem that hasn't been discussed and resolved by some very talented owner/builders. Actually, you'll encounter LESS because of all the refinements that have been done in the last year. The car has a very original body and a very high-quality chassis. Numerous changes have been made recently to make the HM2000-series car very authentic and much easier to assemble. Hurricane's parent company has been making fiberglass bodies and steel vehicle assemblies for many years ( Scranton Manufacturing Corporation, Inc.) and they have spent a lot of time perfecting the Hurricane body mold in order to reduce your prep time. And the kit comes very complete so you don't have to go searching for parts. These things, in my opinion, make it head's above the majority of the other kits out there for the money.

[YerDugliness]

Originally Posted by elmariachi

And I am telling you that you are wrong....130 sold, none returned after access to the Dark Side....Its because actually its the Bright Side, full of love and insight on Happy Hurricane Ownership.

All the more reason to make the information available to those who might be considering the product. It could HELP sales, rather than leaving the impression I got (and I'm a fan of the Hurricane, imagine what someone who didn't know much about them would think !!).

Cheers, Dugly

[dallas_]

Since you are 6' 4", you will find most makes to be a very tight fit for you.
I'm 6'1" and am tempted to modify the pedal box to add a little leg room.

Next time you are in the states, look up the local Cobra club and attend their next meeting. You really need to sit in some of these cars before you decide which make.

[PDUB]

The Unique 289 car will fit you, and it will fit better with your planned small block engine build than the 427 body style... check out these threads and click the embedded links for photos.

Unique Cobra For Sale

I'm to Big any advice

Good luck!

[KrackShotKarl]

Guys, Thanks for the posts and I am really looking into Unique and ERA, since they seem to be highly recommended. Does anyone have a friend or two who happen to own a cobra and be about my height, I would be interested to in talking to them about what the went through as far as modifications and orderings with companies.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by KrackShotKarl

Does anyone have a friend or two who happen to own a cobra and be about my height, I would be interested to in talking to them about what the went through as far as modifications and orderings with companies.

Karl, I'm the same height as you, but you've got a good 30lbs on me. Muscle, no doubt. If you decide to go with an ERA, it's pretty straight forward on how to fit you. I always post this shot of me when someone asks about fitting a tall person in to an ERA Cobra. This same shot is also on the ERA web site.