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Visit to A&C
Well I am still shopping around for my Cobra. Next month I'll be going to the All-Ford Nationals in Carlisle, PA. I've convinced the wife that a side trip to Buffalo to visit Antique and Collectible Autos would be a good idea. So far I like the way their kit looks. I haven't seen one in the flesh though. Anyone in FL have one? Can anyone give me some insights into their A&C? Build quality, customer support, etc. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks...Joe
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Joe,
I've had mine on the road going on three years. I have no complaints. Matter of fact, the gelcoated body is so good that people think it's painted. I have no plans to paint it yet. Build site: http://www.priveye.com/cobra.htm You get out of building a Cobra what you put into it, no matter whose you build. I've got about 38-40 into it but could have done it for a lot less had I chosen to go with less expensive parts or eliminate some features. Customer support is good but I really never needed it. I did have a guy (now a friend) locally that built one so I used him more than A&C. Their manual sucks but most manuals out there are lacking. This pic was taken just last week. Check the body finish. http://www.priveye.com/dls/meatball2.jpg Roscoe |
A & C experience
My Cobra was my first car build. It really was not a difficult job. The process was really straight forward, any problems, I called Joe and he talked me through it with ease. He understood what my question was over the phone every time. The parts package came complete, no lost or missing parts. I needed a brake hose replaced and got one overnight mail. The body is well finished. I got the gelcoat, so I didn't need to spend time and money on a trip to the painter. Good car, if I were to build the Willys I want to, I would not hesitate to go with an A & C kit.
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A & C
Joe: I also built an A & C Cobra. Check my gallery. Call Sonny or Joe first to see if they will have a cobra out of the mold when you plan to visit. Otherwise you might be disappointed, South Buffalo area, shop isn't the cleanest (does not mean they don't produce great quality). manual does leave alot to be desired like Roscoe said. There are plenty of A & C owners on this site to come to for help. They have a new mold since Roscoe and I bought ours. The have a new hood for big blocks as well now. Their body and frame will fit just about any size of motor.
There is a shop in Fredonia, NY just west of Buffalo that puts a kit together using A & C's bodies and he supplys the rest. It is Fast Times Rods. Call them at 716-679-9875, tell him Jim from Cleveland sent you. Go with the gelcoat and save a paint job for a while. After a couple of years I am going to clearcoat it and maybe strip it first. Good luck in your quest. Jim |
Roscoe,
Your car looks great. I see you believe in redundancy like I do. You safety wired NOT ONE, but two ears of your knock offs. Not taking any chances, right? Paul |
Paul,
Thanks for the kind words. Actually I only have one ear of the knockoff wired. Where did you see two?? Roscoe |
Rosco where did you get the neat headlight shields????? Steve
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Thanks for the input guys.
Roscoe- I've checked out your build site. Nice work! Jim- Beautiful car. Is the steering column GM? I'm looking forward to my visit to A&C. So far they are the front runner in my choice of kits. They offer a great quik-start program. I need to do my build in stages. (money) Anything else you guys can think of let me know....Joe |
I bought the rolling chassis with 4 disc brakes. That gave me alot to do. Once I got the engine and drivetrain and other things done I got the body delivered. I did not get the interior from them or the gauges, steering column, pedal set and a few other things because I wanted to do it with my own choice of parts.
My total outlay from A&C was about 12k Roscoe |
A&C KIT
I too! like most everyone who is getting ready to build there car, starts doing all the homework, going to shops, getting comparisons. i purchased my kit the fist of Jan. I now have the body on the roller and am getting close..(you can see my gallery) As everyone states the body and the gelcoat is the kit...it is awesome. If you are able to pick a color that will work w/o metalklake you will be beyond impressed.. The booklet does leave some room for improvement. but as stated Joe @ a&c is alays very helpful. May i also mention that everyone here that i have had dealings with has also gone beyond the call. Even so far as to use their quarter to call me back when i had snags...
go luck in your process and have a great day!!!!Casey |
Roscoe,
Look at your picture above, it appears that there are two safety wires on the knockoff? Maybe it's a reflection from the wheel. Paul |
Paul,
It's gotta be a reflection....I only have one wire on each wheel. Roscoe |
Sounds like their "quick start" program may be your way to go-I did it. You get the chassis delivered first, then you install the engine and trans before the body and the rest comes. You have complete control over the scheduling of deliveries. It only takes one spot in your garage and you don't have to pay for everything at once. Also-A&C will give you 24 months (not 12 like the others) to complete payment after the deposit is paid. Let us know about your vist, post photos if you can!
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I just ordered a kit from A&C and I should be scheduling delivery of the chassis kit for the end of May. Anytime I have called them Sonny has always taken the time to discuss and explain everything and anything that I might have in question. Also, They were offering a lock in price for two years. You may want to ask Sonny if he'll lock in your price for two years.
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Joe: yes, it is a GM column. Mid-eighties Sunbird. By the time and effort to get and cost to rework to A & C instructions, I could have bought an Ididit or Flaming River unit. They cost a bout $325.00. It is one area I wish I did not follow their manual. This was my first effort in building a car. Very much the novice. Roscoe and others were a big help, plus without my engineering degree and classes in electricity, I am not sure I could have done it. I am very mechanical but sometimes you are in a hurry to get done and such. S**T Happens. Every winter there is time to make changes and add things on. Just to give you an idea I have about $38k invested and many man hours. But the feeling you get from stepping on the gas and the looks from people there isn't much better. The feeling of accomplishment the moment you drive out of the garage for the first time is great.
Did you try to contact Pete Clark at Fast Times rods yet? Have him fax you a list of his kit. Prices are very competitive. Pete is the dark haired guy in the A & C ads in the magazines rubbing on the yellow rod. Pete also use to weld all the frames for A & C. He is also very knowledgeable about building the kits. Have fun. Jim |
I used the Ididit straight steel column. It has self cancelling signals, eflashers and horn wired to an OEM plug that fits the Painless wiring kit plug. Column cost is only 225.00
Roscoe |
I just purchased an A&C in January, I pick it up first week of June. I canīt wait! My builder has built 17 of them. Some can be found on my website. As I start building mine, I will post detailed pictures of the work on my site. Check out my site for details. (it is recommended to have high speed access, the pictures are large and of good quality).
Let me know if I can be of further help. Rob |
I was quite pleased with my build as well. See my pics under WADESDAD
Nothing was beyond what Roscoe and PNJSNAK couldn't talk me through on the phone. Fortunately, things only fit one way. Joe and Sonny are helpful and responsive. It was frustrating at times, but well worth the effort. There were no real surprises with A&C. Things were ready when they promised them and generally pretty good. I made a few changes to fit what I wanted. I used Shell Valley's slim steering tube for example. There are a few A&Cs in Florida - Bug Joe until he gets you a name or two. |
PNJSNAK: You wrote: It is one area I wish I did not follow their manual.
Do you mean you could actually follow the manual? I basically threw mine away. Roscoe |
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