which kit to buy?

[Jack21]

Which kit should I get? Well, this is like asking do you like tall leggy brunettes, or short busty blondes?

There is no simple answer. It's all a matter of personal preferences. What this forum allows you to do is find out where local Cobras gather, talk to builders and owners, and see for yourself what you like.

Personally, I love this Classic Roadsters. It's a solid piece of work. Some attributable to the CR design and fabrication, some attributable to my own mechanical, electrical, and engineering skills; and some to the help I received on this forum. I mean the frame alone on this car would embarass an F150 pickup.

The downside is the car is not dimensionally accurate. This is both a plus, and a minus. The dimensional changes make for a lot more driver comfort and component installation ease. Also, the car does not currently have an independent rear suspension (IRS) option. The factory parts shopping guide leaves a lot to be desired. The assembly manual needs updating and improvement.

The good news is Classic Roadsters is no longer Gary Rutherfords' Leisure Industries (fiberglass boats) stepchild. Classic Roadsters II is now owned by Don Scott of Minnesota Classics, and supported by Ed Combs (DV) of Classics by Elite. These guys have years of experience building street rods and Cobras, and years of frustration with Classic Roadsters the Corporation. It's now payback time, these folks are doing it right, and we Cobra builders are getting the benefit of this experience.

The other side of the coin is Factory Five (FFR). Capital Area Cobra Club has about two dozen cars, and over half are Factory Five.

Unlike CR, and many other Cobra kits, FFR uses all late model Ford Mustang components (as opposed to '74 - '78 Mustang - Pinto suspensions). So most FFR's have EFI motors, late Mustang front suspension and brakes, and late independent rear suspension (IRS) and brakes.

FFR's tend to favor small block motors. There are better kits for FE motored cars. That being said, if racing is your game, FE motored cars with less sophisticated suspensions will see the FFR's taillights more often than not. 302 strokers (327, 331, 347) with superchargers are running 8's, 9's, and 10's, and these are daily drivers that get 22 MPG on the highway. Downside? More like the original 289 and 427 Cobras somewhat Spartan interiors, creature comforts are not this cars strong suite.

This CR is teriffic on road trips as well as daily commuting, and grocery getting. The closest it will get to a racetrack is the Interstate (Freeway) interchange.

The admiration and oogling takes a little getting used to. Be humble, and say "Thank you" when people oogle your car and ask you questions about it. Honestly, no other car on the street invokes this kind of attention and interest.