Which Company makes "best" replica?

[mrmustang]

Let's face it, the best (most authentic) replica out there right now is made by Shelby

Best Aluminum car award goes to Kirkham hands down (for a company that does more than 6 a year)........

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by mrmustang

Let's face it, the best (most authentic) replica out there right now is made by Shelby

Best Aluminum car award goes to Kirkham hands down (for a company that does more than 6 a year)........

I'm glad Evan didn't see that one.

[Mattnshilp]

OK, so what I want is a round framed square reinforced cross-membered do-hickey with a super reinforced skid pad and an aluminum body, so the dents are hard to bang out. And it'l only cost me $300,00.00 ...

But seriously, I have found this very useful. I just don't know how.

It appears to me that if I buy a:
Shelby
Kirkham
ERA
SPF
FFR
Backdraft
Unique
or a number of smaller manufacturers who have been very kind in contacting me...

That I won't go wrong.

The photo page showing the different manufacturers from the side was very useful to show me that they do, in fact, look different. And I do like the ERA, Kirkham,SPF look the best. The FFR and the Backdraft seam to have a "Bigger Butt" for total lack of a better description. Although I am sure that it is subtle and won't matter once I own one. I think that my pricing will fall somewhere in the FFR/Backdraft to ERA range. I do like the idea of buying a totally American made product (sorry if that offends anyone).

The thread has been informative in that it has provided me with many different opinions and directions in which to focus my own research. So thanks to all for that.

I will make every effort to get to Hope Well this Saturday and I think that will help me a lot. I just hope I can make it.

Keep it going. I would assume at this rate that I'll pick a car before you guys agree.

-Matt

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by Mattnshilp

I think that my pricing will fall somewhere in the FFR/Backdraft to ERA range. I do like the idea of buying a totally American made product (sorry if that offends anyone). Matt

Matt, I'll go out on a limb here and say that of the three manufacturers you mentioned above, I think you would get an unanimous endorsement of the ERA as the best (of those three).

[Dinobyte]

What is the timing of your desired purchase?

ERA lead times can be a long...so the used market might be an option.

[Silverback51]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Matt, I'll go out on a limb here and say that of the three manufacturers you mentioned above, I think you would get an unanimous endorsement of the ERA as the best (of those three).

ERA would get my vote too.

[jmimac351]

Originally Posted by Mattnshilp

The photo page showing the different manufacturers from the side was very useful to show me that they do, in fact, look different. And I do like the ERA, Kirkham,SPF look the best. The FFR and the Backdraft seam to have a "Bigger Butt" for total lack of a better description. Although I am sure that it is subtle and won't matter once I own one. I think that my pricing will fall somewhere in the FFR/Backdraft to ERA range. I do like the idea of buying a totally American made product (sorry if that offends anyone)

-Matt

Matt, the ERA is a very nice car too and should definitely be considered. I should have mentioned that. I built an FFR and have had a lot of fun. If I were in your price range again and considering the FFR, BDR, or ERA I'd likely look real hard at the ERA because I also like the look. The good thing is that there are a lot of good cars out there. If you start narrowing cars down by look, frame, and price that probably will focus you on what you want. Just make sure you think about how you will use the car. If you plan to track the car then you need to consider consumables like pads, rotors, etc.

[Mattnshilp]

Went to Cobra Revolution VI in PA today...

Before mentioning the cars, it's necessary to complement the people behind the cars. I met a ton of really good people and asked a lot of (probably very stupid) questions. Got some great answers and really helped to narrow down my choices...

Down to 3:
BDR
SPF
ERA

I would probably prefer an SPF or ERA but if I find that I can get into a BDR with everything I will want when it's purchase time for $10K less, then I'd seriously consider it - the BDR's are gorgeous. Not quite as soft lined and refined, and not as finished; BDR is clearly a more aggressive look. But I would unquestionably be happy with any of the three.

I feel it necessary to qualify that the FFR's where really nice as well and BDR and FFR went into my same category from a looks standpoint. But it looked to me like almost every FFR was home built and I want a turn-key that I know was built by a professional...

So I have finally gotten somewhere. I'm going to keep my eyes on the "For Sale" sites. And I'm also going to call dealers for all three to start learning more about engines. Purchase is still probably some time off. But I will have some other toys to play with until that day comes...

-Matt

[MT nester]

Who cares which one is best??
I just want one...
Any Cobra will do