Typical newbie question....

[Julian60]

Some one have a link where I can get a comparison spreadsheet for Cobra Kits? I been looking through the searches but some are outdated.

Julian

[mattr762]

This is the best I can do for you.

Oh and of course the Complete Guide to Cobra Replicas. Not a spread sheet but close. No prices though.

[Hal Copple]

i don't know how to create or even read a spread sheet, sounds to me like something one puts down at a picnic to keep the ants out.

But if you are patient, you can gather information from the various manufacturer's and assemblers via their brochures, their web sites, and most importantly, at the various club events.

No brochure or website can tell you near as much as actually sitting in a Replica, or going out with an owner for a spin.

all the best,

[GOCATS]

As a person who deals with numbers a lot, I can tell you trying to compare these cars based upon monetary cost is not he best way to figure who the best mfg fits your needs. I agree with Hal's comment on going out with a owner of one they might let you drive if they really like you. There is no cliff notes to picking out the best cobra it just takes lots of homework and footwork and telephone calls. When you think you have narrowed it down even further a trip to one of the dealers or their plant maybe in order.

Happy hunting

J.A. Koontz

[Tom Wells]

Hi Julian,

A spreadsheet for things other than cost would be most useful. Perhaps you would be willing to do some surfing to compile the data.

Attributes such as body material type (glass/aluminum), engine options allowable or available, suspension type(s) available, transmission options, std/nonstd wheelbase available, vinyl and/or leather upholstery, etc etc etc You get the idea.

If you do this, I for one would like to see the results!

Tom

[C4 Cross Fire]

YES!!! ...well, kinda...

I found the following message on the "Cobra trader" forum. I've got it ready to post on my web site--here it is (I hope you can read it pasted here!):

"Parts is parts!" --NOT!
From "Meat" on the Cobra Trader Forum:
http://www.cobratrader.com/yabbse/in...ay;threadid=74
Well, I'll go ahead and chime in as well.

The FFR is not a so-so kit. What it started out as was a Cobra replica that
could be built for a reasonable amount of money, and it did change the
industry, in that it promised it could put a supercar in the hands of many
... and it succeeded.

Of all of the Cobra replicas I have been involved with, the FFR is the
easiest Cobra replica to assemble, bar none. If you have never built a kit
car before, you should consider the FFR.

As far as donor cars go, you do not have to buy a donor car and tear it
apart; there are places you can get pallet cars. In fact, Mike Senior has a
banner ad running here (I'm reading it as I'm writing this) that advertises
donor and pallet Mustangs. Contact him, and he can set you up with a pallet
car (949)855-4163. He's very good, extremely familiar with the FFR, and
stands behind his pallet kits.

Another thing to consider is that there are people who specialize in doing
just bodywork and painting. There's a guy up in L.A. who does great work
(I've seen his work first hand) named Ariel Ayubo (310)302-1913.

Here's another thing to consider: you can always upgrade. If you start off
with an FFR built from a donor, you can change things; upgrade the steering
box, switch out driveline, change wheels, switch gauges, upgrade suspension,
etc. at any time. It's not at all a hard car to work on. One of the best
thing about the FFR is that it instills a certain amount of confidence; you
can get the chassis up and rolling really quickly. If it were me, I'd build
a bone-stock FFR from a donor, drive it around and enjoy the heck out of it,
and upgrade as time and money permits.

That's not to say that the FFR is the be-all, end-all Cobra replica out
there. The Hunter, B&B, Antique and Collectables, and Shell Valley are all
equally good kits. And these kits are all far less distinguishable than the
FFR as being "kits." But let's face facts: although I have been involved
with Cobras for around 26 years now and can pretty much tell every single
kit from one another from a distance of 50 feet, the one truism about Cobras
is: if it's on the street, it's probably a replica.

So, basically:

1. You can build a Cobra replica for 20K, but it's going to have donor
parts, and you're going to have alot of sweat equity in the car. The upside
is that the FFR, Hunter, B&B, Antique and Collectables, Shell Valley and
even Lone Star can all come in at around this price point, so as a consumer
you're in a target-rich environment. You can also upgrade your car over
time. All of these kits allow that.

2. If you don't have space for a donor, then buy a pallet. It comes with
everything you need (including fuel injection and wiring, if you want) and
it only takes up a truckbed's worth of space.

3. If you're looking at originality as an important thing, you may want to
wait and save up some cash; originality costs money.

4. Overall quality. All the kits mentioned are of good quality, with the FFR
requiring the most amount of bodywork. HOWEVER, you can get a pre-finished
body from A&C, and there are a number of people out there who can do the
bodywork for you. With a car like the FFR, you can even get away with a
Maaco paintjob - providing the bodywork is done well in the first place, and
you use light colors (red, yellow, Wimbleton white, etc) - for quite awhile.
And repainting an FFR is removing around 20ish screws and bolts and lifting
the body, doors, trunk and hood off.

5. Take a good hard look at your mechanical ability before jumping into a
project. If you've built a car before, understand systems, you can pick any
of the cars. If you're new, you may want to go with a kit that has alot of
online support, and a wide customer base so that you can bribe people with
pizza and beer.

I hope that helps.

Your pal,
Meat.