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What other cars should I be considering beyond a Cobra?
I'm looking for a project car that is going to be all about being fun to drive. Originally I was thinking something like a souped up MG when I had neglected to remember the Cobra. I quickly changed my tune once I did recall.
I like the look of the Cobra and the established history of it. However, I didn't grow up needing a Cobra in my life. It's just the car that makes the most sense based on my performance and cost considerations. I'm not one of those guys who saw them race back in the day and fell in love. If I build a Cobra it's going to be more a restomod style rather than trying to build something more authentic. This leaves me wondering, are there any other kit cars or classics I should be considering? What other cars would you recommend that are similar in cost/style/performance/accessibility/community support and other factors that are similar to the Cobra? Or is Cobra really the cream of the crop when it comes to a 2 seater open top/convertible sports car with looks and power? Miata's need not apply. I know I'm asking a pretty biased crowd but I'm curious if anyone else had similar thoughts or could offer some considerations. Thank you. |
Daytona Coupe
GT40 |
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How about a Caterham (Lotus Seven, "The Prisoner" car)? They are lots simpler to build than a Cobra but still a two-seater roadster and from all indications, just as fun. Or dangerous. PS. There are many Lotus Seven kit builders, Caterham seems to be the top. |
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It could be another kit car or perhaps there's a classic car that makes sense to restore and could be had for a similar cost to a Cobra. |
Take a look at the entire Factory Five lineup. If you see one you like, check around for a finished or nearly finished one at a good price.
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You might consider the original Lotus Elan. Historic giant killer of Cobras.
I am the original owner of an Elan that I restored after 50 years of ownership. Better Hp/weight ratio than the 289 Cobra. And handling is unparalleled. Lots of parts available. Very good worldwide support group (lotuselan.net). And the cars are not pricey. Having said that I am going in the direction of embarking on a 289 Cobra myself. The Cobra would be a replica(more or less) of another car from my youth (CSX 2372). Probably won’t be as “fast” as my Lotus, but I’m not in a competition. |
Ariel Atom will give you more thrills than you can probably handle. Very light weight and a variety of power outputs. Handles like it's on magnetic rails with tremendous braking and if that doesn't make you smile, there may not be hope. :eek:
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Go with the Cobra, I don’t see a down side, I’ve had Ferrari’s a Shelby GT 500KR convertible and a ton of other fun stuff. They are all fun to drive and they look great but a big block Cobra is tough to beat. Quite honestly if you shop around there are some good deals available.
Good luck Sir |
How about a restomod style C2 Corvette Grand Sport or GTP racer replica from Mongoose Motorsports?
https://mongoosemotorsports.com/gran...t-5-movie-car/ https://classicmoto.rs/cdn/media/new...t-replica.jpeg Or a C1 replica "Concept 57" from Corvette central https://www.corvettecentral.com/concept_57 Pop one of these bodies onto an Art Morrison chassis https://artmorrison.com/products/gt-...sis/53-62vette and drop in a LS crate motor and you have a classic looking roadster with all of the power, braking and handling of a modern day supercar. Something like this: https://www.hotrod.com/uploads/sites...ound%7C875:492 |
Caterham 260 spec and above.
1,100lbs, 148hp and up, a true, adult sized "Go Cart" http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d.../Caterham1.jpg |
I guess it depends on what you want to do with it. Before I got sucked down the Cobra hole I was looking at Old MGA and Austin Healy. I love my Cobra and very happy with it.
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There's always engine swaps into British sports cars like MGs, Triumphs and Austin-Healeys to consider. You can get a good idea of the range here: BritishV8 Forum:. The advantages are you can get cars with roll-up windows, convertible tops and some other minor creature comforts. You probably won't have to deal with jumping through the hoops of registering a kit car that some states put you through. On the other hand, you'll likely be dealing with rusty old cars that you will need to do some restoration work with before you even start the swap. If my home state didn't throw so many roadblocks into kit car registration I'd probably be driving a FF Daytona rather than my SBF-swapped Austin-Healey
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Well, there is really only one modern version of the cobra. Viper …
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Years ago, mid '80s, I went to the Bloomington Corvette meet. Mid America, there were two named almost the same, showed their round tube chassis for C2 Corvette Grand Sport and offered the parts to build the Grand Sport replica. This was way before Mongoose and Superformance offered their replicas. The theory was much like FFR and the "donor" builds.
I'd build a Grand Sport if I wasn't so far down the Cobra path. I've seen the Superformance, Mongoose and one of unknown heritage at Bloomington in St. Charles, IL. Like the various Cobra replicas, each had their good and bad points. I'm really a Corvette guy in disguise, had a '67, '64 & '69 a long time ago. Jim |
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When you do decide to sell the car, as we all eventually do, you will discover that the farther from period correct you stray the lower the resale value of the car. It is not hard to turn a $50K car into a $30K (or less) car at resale time. By contrast, a period correct or apparently period correct version of the car does a better job of maintaining it's value or God forbid even increasing in value. An additional consideration is that the more period correct the car is, the easier it is to sell because potential buyers come to places like CC, ask questions like you are asking and get answers like we are giving. If the potential for reduced value at resale and increased difficulty in selling the vehicle does not bother you then by all means you should forge ahead on a rest-mod version of a Cobra that pleases you. Ed |
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Such deviations start with putting a GM engine into a Cobra :) |
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! |
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Also since the Atom is sold as a complete running car as opposed to a kit or a roller, I am not sure how easy they would be to register in some states. I live in Pennsylvania and it seems here, you would need to treat it as a kit car and buy it in roller form to do your own engine installation, plus add bumpers, dot lights, etc. www.arielatomchat.com/forums/thread2700.html |
What about a Sunbeam Tiger? Something also a bit different but has a cool factor is the Pantera...
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