Kit cars are kind of like buying one of the big 3.You must buy where you can get the most help and service during and after the build. I have a Midstates after looking at a lot of others. I liked the product and was and still am very impressed with the help Bob and crew have provided for me and others I have talked with.
Good luck!!!

Thanks everybody for your input and reasons. I think this is a great reference for the newbie and anybody new or old considering a new toy. For those without a history on this GREAT SITE, a few threads have stated the best reason was a persons club name ( Turk, Jamo Kirkhams as an example) . Please come back and expand on statement so a person without history here knows what you mean. I know you could write a book in these cases but pick a main or overall topic that draws the picture. Write a book if you want but hate to ask you for that much time and think I am more likley to get a response to a main topic request. Give us more reasons and details because nothing means more than the way a customer sees a manufacturer from the other side of the sales counter. Jeff C :3DSMILE: :3DSMILE:

I chose FFR for a couple of reasons.

I wanted to build the car myself and the single donor concept appealed to me. I didn't want an overly complicated kit where I had to do a lot of fabrication. It has been a joy to build (And I am by no means a master mechanic!). The price also allowed me to get into this madness at a reasonable price. It is (or at least should be depending on who builds it) a reliable car that looks great.

One thing for sure is there are several great Cobra replica/kit manufacturers, each having great appeal in different respects, support being the major one. Having met and dealt with different manufacturers, I understand this. It's a great fraternity. (Thank heavens the manufacturers haven't replicated the attititude of the originator, CS!)

As for me, I'm glad I have an ERA.

I know what I like, being a car designer, primarily a chassis engineer. The ERA is, well, just right. Quality is tops, it handles great, rides like a dream, the car is solid and it has the perfect balance between originality and subtle improvements over the original 427 S/C. This was brought home to me when an owner of no less than four original Cobras told me my ERA was the best Cobra he had ever driven. Makes me think I made the right choice.:3DSMILE:

I chose an SPF...
 

.....for several reasons.

I have the skills and tools required to build any kit out there today. Problem is, I didn't have the time or the place, realistically. I didn't want to take up my entire garage for the time it took to build a kit car. And...with one year old twins at the time, I figured my time would become more and more at a premium for me.

Add to that my anal retentiveness, and I figured I'd have to build three kits before I got the ONE I really wanted. The first would be okay, but I'd have some mistakes and errors in it. The second would be better, but still, I'd know where the mistakes were. By the time I got around to building and finishing the third, I would have fugiured out all the mistakes and I'd have the one I wanted. Plus...I'd have to go through all the hassle of selling two not-so-perfect cars while trying to convince someone else they really were perfect.... :rolleyes:

I had previously came across Superformance several years earlier, right after they began producing their replicars. I finally decided to go to Charlotte and look at one. Well, I don't need to tell you what happened next...from my first test drive, I was hooked. It was like sex...the first time I tried it I knew I was goin' to like it! :p

Bob and Dennis Olthoff had a roller chassis up on one of their lifts and I had a chance to look all under the car. I was impressed with the engineering. and execution...all new parts, readily available replacement spares, no used parts that could be of questionable lineage. All wiring installed...aircraft grade harnesses...wire ties every 6-8 inches - just like I would have learned to do by car #3, above ( ;) ) . PLUS...it was ready...right then. In fact, had I wanted a different color and engine from what I had already set my mind on, I could have driven a completed turn-key home that afternoon! How's that for immediate gratification?

Subsequent purchase of SPF #770 was completed and arrangements made with the engine installer to complete installation of a 351W stroker engine and Tremec 3550 5-speed. Final work was completed and road tested by the Olthoffs. Hell, Bob Olthoff even delivered my car to me on October 21, 2000...along with a friend's who purchased #723 at the same time as I did. Talk about a rush...two absolutely PERFECT Cobra replicars being delivered in the same trailer on the same day. Needless to say, bystanders were in awe...as both new owners were, as well.

Ownership since then has been nothing but a joy. Being a part of the extended SPF family is like nothing I've ever experienced. A phone call to ANY dealer gets you call back almost within the hour, if not immediate attention. Dealer support and maintenance is nothing short of superb...really. Moreover, whenever I go back to the Olthoff's, I feel like I'm going home to see my parents again. Everyone makes you feel like you're a member of their immediate family. It's really a treat just to go visit...and that's true with ANY of the three dealers I've visited...Olthoff's, Doug Reed at Superformance South, or the Rosens in Ross, Ohio.

Since then, I've had the pleasure to meet Jim Price at two different Cobra-related events and found him to be the quintessential perfectionist. Hell, Jimmy's as anal retentive as I am...it's no wonder we were immediate friends! His passion for producing the perfect replicar with deviations from the original only for reliability, performance and handling improvements, have produced truly remarkable cars. I've also had the pleasure of meeting Ronnie Kruger, SPF's US Operations head, as well as Ronnie's wife, Winnie...and you'll never come across a nicer couple.

If you're on the fence - and I really understand why you may be - I would recommend a visit to any of the SPF dealers to invesitgate Superformance further. I know you'll see what I saw...and I'll bet you make the same decision I and so many others did.

Now...once you're an owner...we'll tell you about the Secret Societies, covert mailing lists, hidden websites and clandestine email forums and so on. Hell...you'll even get a secret de-coder ring! :LOL: :LOL: :LOL: :LOL: :LOL: :LOL:

There's a common thread..
 

... in this thread, and that is the existence of a number of special people in the business of creating and supporting these wonderful cars who are truly passionate about them. While most Cobra manufacturers produce good products for their intended markets, there is obviously a subset that inspire a particular loyalty from their customers. These appear to be:
- The Olthoffs and Rosens with Superformance,
- The Weavers at Unique,
- The Kirkhams,
- The folks at Finish-Line,
- Bob Putnam at ERA,
- Probably quite a few others that I'm unaware of

As an unapologetic lurker on this forum who is still trying to figure out how to afford a Cobra, I am constantly looking for information on how to bring my fantasy to reality. Finances willing, I wouldn't hesitate to buy from any of these folks. This thread is one of the most helpfull I've seen so far.

Before I end this long winded post, I have to admit that one of the most attractive things about owning a Cobra is the passion (there's that word again) of the folks involved in this hobby. I used have an MG that I restored and kept for 10 years, largely due to the fun I had with similar lunatics at club events. I can't wait to do it again, but this time with more horsepower.

Lane Anderson

Lane..you nailed it...!
 

Ed Combs...Double Venom....hosts the now famous annual Double Venom Spring Fling....said it best when he said...."It's not about the cars, it's about the people!"

Profound statement...and a true testament to the 'passion'....

I went with a Classic Roadster for a few reasons.

1. They been around a long time so I figured the parts issue would not be a problem, and the car is pretty solid.

2. Knowing it was built by DV I had confidence it was built right!

3. Having been to DV's shop and met the "family" it's always nice to do business with a friend.

4. I like a little extra room the C.R. offers.

Ernie

Like most everyone else, I chose my replica after a long, extended search and many visits to the various companies around the US and the UK. I chose Superformance because:

1. The Olthoff's in NC are very knowledgable and have become part of our extended family.

2. I thought I wanted to assemble the car, but once I saw a Superformance, I decided that I would have to spend as much as two years on my schedule to accomplish the fit and finish provided.

3. Cost, after taking everything into account, I couldn't really build a quality car for much less than I paid for a Superformance and I got a full one year warranty and all new parts to boot.

4. Did I mention my dealer? The Olthoff's stock what few parts I've needed and provide the best technical support for any product I've ever owned.

5. If I were to going to assemble the car myself, I had chosen Unique. Why? The Weavers are very knowledgeable and make you feel like part of their family. Plus, they are close to me. I would not hesitate to buy a pallet car from them if I wanted to assemble it myself. My schedule would not allow me to do this however, so I am glad I bought the Superformance. And, in my circumstance, I would do so again.

Robnell
 

Robnell,

The qualify and fit and finish was unbelievable.

If you ever get a chance to take one for a ride, DO!

They have more of a modern interior. (I have a glove box), and they can be had with anti-lock brakes and traction control. The suspension is a modern design that gives it an incredible ride.

They have a very celebrated racing history in Australia.

Samurai

I second Flyin_Freddie

It's about the people!!

Craig

Well, nobody seems to like anybody at SAI, (absent Special K) especially the founder of the Cobra, but I chose a Cobra because I thought it was the coolest car ever, and SAI because it was made by Carroll Shelby, the person I grew up thinking made Cobras. I never followed all that other stuff (the law suits) much (to busy doing other things), although I had heard of them, and I never knew how ugly everyone is toward him (and vice versa) until after I bought the car, and posted once or twice on this website. I bought the car because I thought is was a cool car, not because of any personal relationships per se.

Bret,

You bought a great car from a good company, most importantly you bought what you wanted and are happy with your choice.

I am happy with my choice as well.

I'm sure that we are not the only happy campers out there.

That is the neat thing about the Cobra replica industry, there seems to be a Cobra for everyone who wants one.

I chose Hunter because:
1. Randy and Sue Hunter are the most honest and sincere people I have meet in this business

2. It fit my budget

3. I liked the Corvette suspension

4. I liked the hand laid body done by Mr Hunter himself

5. Did I mention the Hunters???

6. The Body has the correct shape

7. The chassis is well thought out with many great features.

8. They were fairly close to me.

Aumoore
I've got to agree with you on your reasons for buying a car from Randy and Sue. Also, with being in the body repair business since 1970, the quality of the body was higher than many of the other kits that I looked at. That plus the frame design and independent suspension is what drove me over the edge. Did I mention the humor that Sue has? She was a joy to email back and forth to and talk to on the phone with. When they delivered my car the week before Christmas in 2001, the car was rolled out of the trailer with a BIG RED BOW. She said, here's your Christmas gift. She even tried to get Randy to wear a red elf hat.
Can you imagine an elf the height of Randy?
exrodder