What other cars should I be considering beyond a Cobra?

[Harpoon PV2]

Period correct is a bit of a loaded question. ERA are not period correct, the big blocks have square tubing, and most have inboard rear brakes, (only CSX2000 had those, even though AC said that was a bad idea,) and the small block cars have coil springs all around, yet they hold their value about as good as any replica, except for the Shelby CSX cars. A big block 428 is period correct, and 302s were put into a few racing Cobra's back in the day. You can back date a roller rocker 302 into a 289 or 260, for a small block MKI or II. And don't forget the AC289 MKIII cars, which are considered Cobra's today, after all, the C in COB and COX stands for Cobra! The MKIV cars, are pretty far from original, but they are worth far more then new. Wish I was smart enough to buy one of those 10 years ago!
Thanks to the movie Ford Vs Ferrari, I think most Cobra's will be worth at least the sum of their parts a decade from now. Why, because now, the love of the Cobra is not going to die with us Baby Boomers!

[jetblue69]

What about a Sunbeam Tiger? Something also a bit different but has a cool factor is the Pantera...

[Daytona Dek]

Originally Posted by jetblue69

What about a Sunbeam Tiger? Something also a bit different but has a cool factor is the Pantera...

Always wanted a Pantera but prices have run away this side of the water. What would you need to spend to get a reasonable one in the States? Also how easy would it be to find one?
Dek

[jetblue69]

Originally Posted by Daytona Dek

Always wanted a Pantera but prices have run away this side of the water. What would you need to spend to get a reasonable one in the States? Also how easy would it be to find one?
Dek

You could probably get an earlier one for about $50k...check around and definitely check with some of the Pantera clubs as with most car clubs there's always someone wheeling and dealing. Leno had a good youtube video on one a while back with some guy who was passionate (I really should say obsessed) about Panteras.

[1985 CCX]

My $0.02

#1 Choice, BMW M-Roadster (Z3)
I have tried this myself and to date the Dinan M54 342hp M was closest.

Porsche 993-S = Nope
1965 Mustang = Nope
Pantera = Watch out as they rust inside out which is scary
Sunbean = Sorta but handling is way off; like a pick-up
MG = no beans
Monster Miata = Maybe
V8 Healey = Close possibly, Rick could let us know.
Panoz AIV = Very close as its alloy, V8 Ford and small. Looked at a couple and this may be the ticket as they even look a little like a stripped bodied Cobra.

Good luck!

[HealeyRick]

Originally Posted by 1985 CCX

My $0.02



V8 Healey = Close possibly, Rick could let us know.

I'd say a V8-swapped Healey is similar, but it's no Cobra. They are known as "Nasty Boys" in the Healey community and are looked down upon by the purists. But having put a small block Ford in my Healey after driving it with the six-cylinder lump I can say it is a much, much better car. Donald Healey had said he would have put a V8 in his cars if he had access to them and Carroll Shelby originally went to Healey to make his car. The most Cobra-like one would be an early car like this one (which should have a 5 speed transmission)L

https://bringatrailer.com/2010/11/28...ey-weslake-v8/

My car (in my signature) is a later car with roll-up windows and convertible top, a bit more civilized. The drivetrain with a 345 small block Ford, 5 speed and 3.54 rear is probably pretty much like what would be in a Cobra replica.

But given the choice between the Healey and a Cobra, I'd take the Cobra.

[Daytona Dek]

Originally Posted by jetblue69

You could probably get an earlier one for about $50k...check around and definitely check with some of the Pantera clubs as with most car clubs there's always someone wheeling and dealing. Leno had a good youtube video on one a while back with some guy who was passionate (I really should say obsessed) about Panteras.

I think that’s a good suggestion. There’s a very thriving Pantera Club over here and generally club members are proud of and look after their cars. Unfortunately our importation tax system here makes it prohibitively expensive to source cars from the USA especially with a poor exchange rate.
Dek

[mrmustang]

Considering the OP has not been here since 12-02-2021 I'm game to do a follow up.

Originally Posted by mrmustang

Caterham 260 spec and above.

1,100lbs, 148hp and up, a true, adult sized "Go Cart"

With my current RHD Caterham 7 SV (202hp, IRS rear, 5spd) roughly 1,228lbs I find it more of a go cart for adults, small steering wheel. Low slung, you sit less than 4" off the ground. Gravel gets in your lap if the side curtains are not installed, most drivers cannot see you....Yet, it can be flung with reckless abandon when the opportunity is provided to do so safely.

Originally Posted by jetblue69

What about a Sunbeam Tiger? Something also a bit different but has a cool factor is the Pantera...

My MK1A Tiger, 306ci, 4spd, wilwood disk brake, modified suspension equipped convertible rides exactly like my ERA 289 FIA Cobra. A bit more civilized with roll up windows, but just as fun and quirky as the other. I find going out to dinner, we are more likely to drive the Tiger than the Cobra, or the Caterham, less likely to cause a scene (exhaust note), but still unique enough to turn heads.

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by mrmustang

With my current RHD Caterham 7 SV (202hp, IRS rear, 5spd) roughly 1,228lbs I find it more of a go cart for adults, small steering wheel. Low slung, you sit less than 4" off the ground. Gravel gets in your lap if the side curtains are not installed, most drivers cannot see you....Yet, it can be flung with reckless abandon when the opportunity is provided to do so safely.

In a Seven, you look UP at Miatas!

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by Mark IV

In a Seven, you look UP at Miatas!

Came close to one of those. Would have painted it to look like the Prisoner car.

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by Mark IV

In a Seven, you look UP at Miatas!

Yes, as you know, I know





I have a thing for 2dr convertibles

[Ozgur_Tan]

1989-1997 NA miata
miata: miata is always the answer
https://www.ozgurtan.com/p/miata.html

[eschaider]

The idea of period correct is regularly debated by ideologues as to how period correct, period correct has to be, to be period correct. Obviously this a never ending story sort of event.

If your car has the typical 60's engine provenance for your chosen chassis, wheel and tire choices, reasonable fidelity to the original body shape, proper appearing interior with Smith's or comparable gauges in essentially the correct locations you have some level of period correct. The more faithful the recreation the higher the period correct score for your car.

Don't get caught in the silliness of correct part/serial numbers for seat sliders, on off switches and various minutiae like voltage regulators, brake fluid resivoirs etc. Unless you are going to make the car a trailer queen and compete at some type of event where those sorts of credentials are important, it is a waste of time and money. In the real world they add very little, if anything, to either the drivability, desirability, value or salability of your replica.

Let's not forget, when everything is said and done, the car is still a replica. Truth be known, a well done replica is almost certainly a more capable vehicle than an original. Build yourself a replica that is affordable, looks like the original, drives better and performs better than the original. You will have a fun car to own and an easy car to sell if and when you choose to. Build it for you with modern tech but, looking like it came out of the 60's.


Ed

[novasscnc]

Have had Vettes, Novas, Mustangs, Pro streets, nothing like a Cobra

[Alfa02]

Oh Indeed mikeinfo. A Lotus 26R (Elan), well driven could kick a Cobras ass, on a short course. A 26R is kinda like a 289FIA car compared to a 289 Street. I had the chance to drive a good friends 26R in a vintage race @ SIR (Seattle) and finished 3rd in the Big Bore Group, out of 38cars, but part of the race we had a wet track SIR (Seattle) PIR ( Portland) and Westwood (Can.) are and were short courses, and well driven 26R can and do run with The Big Dogs. I had a chance to buy one, while racing my Alfa GTV, I could afford the car, I couldn't afford the "Twin-cam rebuilds" 4-5K for the Alfa, 10-12K for a twin-cam. Hope this help's clear this up, Cheers TommyRot.

[mikeinfo]

I think that is mostly driver but the 289 Cobra had better hp/weight from what I understand. The 26R was a race form car so it should be compared to the race 289 that made 400hp. Would be fun to watch them race.

[t walgamuth]

A good Lotus 7 could run with the snakes on the right course in the hands of the right driver.

[wolf k]

C3 corvette, 1968-82, fairly inexpensive(especially 1974 and up). Huge aftermarket parts supply, independent rear suspension, 4 wheel disc brakes, small block, big block.
Comfortable diving position.

[Dominik]

Porsche 996 Turbo

[spdbrake]

When I think muscle car I think Miata?

Maybe something like this?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcjpXbMiCtg&t=22s

Joking aside, I've always focused on a car that I enjoy and to hell with what others think.