What other cars should I be considering beyond a Cobra?

[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.

[Harpoon PV2]

Originally Posted by HealeyRick

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.

Why do they look down at the V8 Healey's, don't they know anything about the history of Healey? Donald Healey was so impressed with Briggs Cunningham's Cadillac V8 powered Silverstone, that he had his guys install a Caddy V8 in a Silverstone, then asked Cadillac if they would sell him some engines, they said no! So Healey went the Allard rout, and sent over cars sans engine and tranny, sound familiar? So, while many V8 Healey's are yank and stuff cars, others are from the factory meant for a V8 from the start!

[HealeyRick]

Originally Posted by Harpoon PV2

Why do they look down at the V8 Healey's, don't they know anything about the history of Healey? Donald Healey was so impressed with Briggs Cunningham's Cadillac V8 powered Silverstone, that he had his guys install a Caddy V8 in a Silverstone, then asked Cadillac if they would sell him some engines, they said no! So Healey went the Allard rout, and sent over cars sans engine and tranny, sound familiar? So, while many V8 Healey's are yank and stuff cars, others are from the factory meant for a V8 from the start!

Very true I even did an article about the history of Nasty Boys for the Austin-Healey Magazine that included Donald and Geoffrey's V& usage.
http://bighealey.org/NastyBoy/Issue_8_2016.pdf Donald always had very good things to say about swapped Healeys when he attended our events. But some people aren't happy unless a Healey is restored to absolutely stock and they make no bones about their dislike for the modifieds. One of my friends who had a V8 powered car used to bring a bag of lollipops to shows and when he heard someone complaining about his car, he would offer them one and tell them to "Suck it."

[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