What brand of cobra replica do I have?

[Buzz]

I'm not so sure I agree. That chassis looks to me like a well triangulated space frame design that has had at least a degree of thought and engineering put into its construction.
It definitely is not a basic hot rod square tube ladder frame that most Cobra bodies are slapped on top of.
If it is one of Bennett's products, and it's not in too bad condition, it might be very much worth the effort to restore, if not from a return-on-investment POV, just for the joy of owning/driving a solid, well engineered Cobra. The extra wide wheels/tires well tucked under the body really look like Bennett's work, and the only reservation I have is the fitment of the live axle rear suspension. Maybe it's an owner-built car based on a basic body/chassis kit from a high quality, low volume builder like Bennett.

[vntgspd]

Originally Posted by Buzz

I'm not so sure I agree. That chassis looks to me like a well triangulated space frame design that has had at least a degree of thought and engineering put into its construction.
It definitely is not a basic hot rod square tube ladder frame that most Cobra bodies are slapped on top of.
If it is one of Bennett's products, and it's not in too bad condition, it might be very much worth the effort to restore, if not from a return-on-investment POV, just for the joy of owning/driving a solid, well engineered Cobra. The extra wide wheels/tires well tucked under the body really look like Bennett's work, and the only reservation I have is the fitment of the live axle rear suspension. Maybe it's an owner-built car based on a basic body/chassis kit from a high quality, low volume builder like Bennett.

Perhaps I'm the optimist but I agree. The frame looks well braced and light weight. Not as robust as the Bennett but this cars looks to be built for track duty from underneath. I see the backbone along the tunnel and also adjustable suspension pick-ups. I see big brakes to go with the huge tires too. It would be nice to see the top-side and get an idea of what's going on with cockpit safety etc.

[Chicagowil]

We all have gotten so used to looking at the original Cobras that we forget they were very rudimentary cars built in England as an inexpensive common man's racer. The Maserati Birdcage, early Porsche 908- 917's & Mercedes 300SL used this sort of chassis design.

The question is how well the frame was engineered. I am in the middle of a Locost 7 build right now as well and it uses a similar design. But Colin Chapman had designed a very robust frame and it had been race proven and improved over time.

Only close inspection will validate if it is a well built design or a death trap. Wait- in the hands of an inexperienced driver (sic-me), any car is a death trap!

I would tend to believe that even if it is well done and brought back to life, potential buyers in the future will be limited because it is quite different from what we have become accustomed to seeing as replicas. Whether they are close copies or less expensive square perimeter frame replicas, we have grown to expect a certain design.

Thom

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by Chicagowil

Only close inspection will validate if it is a well built design or a death trap. Wait- in the hands of an inexperienced driver (sic-me), any car is a death trap!

I would tend to believe that even if it is well done and brought back to life, potential buyers in the future will be limited because it is quite different from what we have become accustomed to seeing as replicas. Whether they are close copies or less expensive square perimeter frame replicas, we have grown to expect a certain design.

Thom

To reiterate: Without proof of origin and thus the robustness of the design (ie, from someone that has a history, or a one-off garage built home welding job) even restored it will be a difficult sell. Carefully consider putting a whole lot of money into it.

[joyridin']

Originally Posted by twobjshelbys

To reiterate: Without proof of origin and thus the robustness of the design (ie, from someone that has a history, or a one-off garage built home welding job) even restored it will be a difficult sell. Carefully consider putting a whole lot of money into it.

LOL..most of the old race cars out there had frames made in a garage. Probably most of the Cobra manufacturers out there today started in their garage with no history.

If he cleans it up and puts it for sale for the right price, it will be gone fast.

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by joyridin'

LOL..most of the old race cars out there had frames made in a garage. Probably most of the Cobra manufacturers out there today started in their garage with no history.

If he cleans it up and puts it for sale for the right price, it will be gone fast.

LOL twice. When a racer builds a car, he puts himself and only himself at risk. When someone builds something like this and leaves no history of the engineering, everyone down the chain is at risk. Maybe it's great. Probably it's not.

I wouldn't buy it for scrap.

[joyridin']

Originally Posted by twobjshelbys

LOL twice. When a racer builds a car, he puts himself and only himself at risk. When someone builds something like this and leaves no history of the engineering, everyone down the chain is at risk. Maybe it's great. Probably it's not.

I wouldn't buy it for scrap.

Puts himself only at risk? Are you kidding? Depending on the car, he could be putting hundreds of people supposedly at risk.

If you are so scared, maybe you need to get off the road. Lots of dangerous cars out there on a daily basis. Like I said...I live in Ohio. This car is probably safer than 25% of the factory built rot buggies on the road right now.