Which Company makes "best" replica?

[Anthony]

What a great thread. It's about time someone finally asks this question.

first off, whatever you want, buy it used, unless you want a specific color/make, engine,etc.

You have to understand that the reason there are replica's, and I mean that in a sense that the parts are not interchangeable with the original design, is that to produce a cobra identical to the original is usually more expensive than using "off the shelf" parts that are used also for other automobiles. Replica's are really a compromise to the original design, using a different chassis set-up because it is cheaper, and some are cheaper than others. Maybe it's not as good as the original, maybe better, maybe it doesn't matter to you, you need to make that detrmination.

If you want original spec, then CSX4000 and kirkham are your choices. CSX4000 also has the cheaper fiberglass option with the original spec chassis. Aluminum does dent, easily in fact. Although the current Kirkham/aluminum CSX4000 car bodies are stronger than the original, it's still aluminum.

All other cobra's are compromises of the original design, again some good, maybe some not as good. All companies all there to sell you a car, i.e. make money, not necessarily the best designed product, but maybe the best for the money, maybe not.

Have fun, and whatever you do, don;t ruffle anybody's feathers.

[ENTDOC]

OK, I will bite.

1. Csx 4000 aluminum car

2.Kirkham

3. CSX fiberglass car

4. ERA

5. SPF

6. Unique

7. FFR (if new body style is available)

8. the above are "money not in the equation" picks

[PatBuckley]

Good answer, Chuck - I agree with the ranking but I do not think that the Shelby cars are replica's.

[Chaplin]

Thats right Pat, if it's a Shelby, it is a Real Cobra.

[ENTDOC]

I agree with that, but the thread has drifted towards them being categorized as such, so I lumped them in. Should be " best cobra available" to avoid confusion.

[Chaplin]

Well, if it is "best cobra available", then it can only be a CSX car since they are the only Real Cobras made. Everything else isn't a Cobra. Do some searches for posts by Real1, and you will see what I mean

[Mattnshilp]

I can't begin to thank you all for the suggestions you have made. I will make every effort to be at the June 7th event in New Hope, although my office and family life (3 young kids) usually ruins any plans for attendance at car events.

From what I have seen and looked into thus far, a real Cobra (ie. Shelby) and the Kirkham products are out of my price range. They look to be $90K+...

It would appear to me that the ERA and Superformance products are around the same price (mid $50-60's) and about the same quality, although I definitely get the feeling that the ERA enjoys a slightly better rep then SPF. I think Unique falls somewhere between the FFR/BackDraft level and the ERA/SPF level.

BackDraft and Factory Five seam to also be in the same category and in the same price-range ($35-50K??? I think)

How am I doing so far?

I guess my next and more specific question would then be:
If supreme accuracy to the original is not a priority, then what is the real difference between an ETA, SPF, FFR and BackDraft? Is it simply build quality or are there cosmetic differences as well?

Could a well trained eye tell the difference between an ETA and an FFR from across the street?

Finally, I have not seen "Classic Roadsters II" on the list anywhere... Are they not worth considering compared to the ones listed above?

I'm in no rush for acquisition as I will be placing an order for a Lotus Elise SC in the coming months. I then need to decide if I want the Caterham or the Cobra next (I am sure you would all suggest the Cobra).

Slowly working on a killer collection, but it will take time. Purchasing all and plan on selling none.Desperately hoping my wife doesn't divorce me along the way!!!

Keep the suggestions coming! This has been awesome for me, and I am sure many others are benefiting from it as well!!!

-Matt

PS. CobraCountry seams to be THE place to find a pre-owned Cobra. Are they any others to consider?

PPS. - Do they make replica 1956-1961 Corvette C-1's? I can't find ANYTHING, which totally shock's me...

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Mattnshilp

Could a well trained eye tell the difference between an ERA and an FFR from across the street?
-Matt

From across the street, across town, even across the country....

[capteddie]

Originally Posted by Mattnshilp

Finally, I have not seen "Classic Roadsters II" on the list anywhere... Are they not worth considering compared to the ones listed above?

CRII is currently no longer in business.

There was someone working on purchasing the assets of CRII, but that has not happened as of the last week or so. There is a good chance CRII is gone for good.

Ed

[ENTDOC]

Originally Posted by PatBuckley

Good answer, Chuck - I agree with the ranking but I do not think that the Shelby cars are replica's.

Evan, did you read any past my response? Pat beat you to that comment several pages ago. If you will read further you will find my reasoning for including them in the list.

[xlr8or]

Originally Posted by ENTDOC

Evan, did you read any past my response? Pat beat you to that comment several pages ago. If you will read further you will find my reasoning for including them in the list.

Chuck that is beyond reasonable to expect him to read through the thread for any details when he sees a chance to jump on the REAL argument.

[CSX 4039]

Originally Posted by ENTDOC

OK, I will bite.

1. Csx 4000 aluminum car

2.Kirkham

3. CSX fiberglass car

4. ERA

5. SPF

6. Unique

7. FFR (if new body style is available)

8. the above are "money not in the equation" picks

An older CSX is hard to beat. They've got all the original brand OEM stuff, body and frame made in America, before it became too expensive and was placed as expensive options...

[Power Surge]

Originally Posted by CSX 4039

Hey, nice license plate