What other cars should I be considering beyond a Cobra?

[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."

[Harpoon PV2]

My first car was almost a Healey 3000, that we were going to dump a 302 into. Unfortunately, the guy was firm on $2,100, and I could only come up with $1,800! Oh well, when I end up with a small block Cobra replica, I will be happy!

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by HealeyRick

.....I even did an article about the history of Nasty Boys for the Austin-Healey Magazine that included Donald and Geoffrey's V& usage....

Interesting to hear about the V8 Healeys being refered to as "Nasty Boys".
Most Cobra/replica owners here on CC refer to their cars as "she" or "the mistress". “Nasty girls” … maybe?

Cheers!
Glen

[Harpoon PV2]

Originally Posted by HealeyRick

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."

I ran into your article a couple of years ago, when I was thinking of doing a swap but prices on the Healey's had already crept up. Your article is well worth the read!

[HealeyRick]

Originally Posted by Harpoon PV2

I ran into your article a couple of years ago, when I was thinking of doing a swap but prices on the Healey's had already crept up. Your article is well worth the read!

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.

[Daytona Dek]

Originally Posted by HealeyRick

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.

Didn’t realise the Austin Healey commanded so much respect your side of the water. Putting a V8 into it really makes a lot of sense to make it more of a drivers car. Over here it would be sacrilege and seriously damage the value of a “classic” car where everything has to be original. I guess that’s the beauty of kit cars, you can do what you want, and get away with it. Horses for courses.