Top Manufacturers - Cobra's

[vegan2]

I'm in Kingman, Arizona, so I thought that I would try the Arizona Club threads. I've just started to look for a Cobra in the $30K range, but the safe bet seems to be the Superformance Brand - $45K and up. What other manufacturers are in, say the top five?

It's my understanding that you just drop the engine, trans, etc. into a Superformance. Are all the other manufacturers simply rated on body quality with the work that goes into completing a car subject to all kinds of mistakes by those building the car? Buying a Cobra from someone that "built" it in their garage is a scary thought, but that seems to be the situation, correct?

[casaleenie]

Vegan2

Superformance makes a nice car... Just saw one for sale for $39,900.on E-Bay. Didn't sell (didn't meet reserve). Have seen several for low $40's. Might be a car for you to chase down. Don't know what the reserve was but would be worth a phone call to the owner...

However, there are several top end cars that are delivered as "turnkey", or at least as far as they are allowed to go without violating rules and laws.
ERA
KIRKHAM
UNIQUE
SAI
etc..??

These and others are great cars... and not just rated on quality of the body... Also, I've seen some of the "garage built" cars and they are usually amazing... Nicely built with pride and sweat...
Not to say there may be few out there with less than desirable
qualities, but for the most part some beautiful efforts...

There is so much info available on the Cobra sites that you'll literally swim in information...

FFR does not build cars but can give you a list of shops that will build your car. For $30K you can come up with a very very nice Factory Five car... Built well with lots of new components..

anyway, my .04 cents worth..

[vegan2]

Originally posted by casaleenie



There is so much info available on the Cobra sites that you'll literally swim in information...

Thanks for the .04 cents! I've been all over the web and it's interesting and a little depressing at the same time as so many people want to unload a Cobra so if I become an owner would I be one of those people for some reason?

Anyway, I just ran across a Cobra owner that appears to be stating the truth about why he wants to unload the car. It's an ERA with a 428 cubic inch FE engine and a Ford 4-speed close ratio "Top Loader" with heavy spline. The rear end is a Jag IRS with 2.88 gear ratio. It's got real pin-drive Halibrand magnesium Cobra wheels mounted Goodyear Eagle 50-series tires. 10,000 miles, built in 1984 but not used for several years (on blocks).

Based on this info, what price range would you put this car in? What downside to you see?

I will appreciate any response you came up with as there are no actual Cobra owners that I know of in this area of Arizona to talk to so I'm trying to pick up "real" input from any owner that is willing to help me out.

[Jason Lee Nye]

Even the turn key cars are put together by the human hand. I see your point though. If you have the dough to blow then go.

If you are looking for Factory 5 turnkey you might want to check out Gordon Levy. Has built quite a few and has made a name for himself.

There are a large number of replica owners with all different manufacturers represented in Arizona. You have come to the right place. It depends on what you want when it comes to these cars.

I have had my Factory 5 for over a year and half and it was built by someone else. I have put over 10,000 miles on it in one year. It has been a great car and I fell in love with Factory 5 so much I am selling it and presently building a Factory 5 spec racer. You can buy a used one fairly reasonably priced and upgrade it with what you have left over. Or you can pay someone to build it like Gordon Levy. Check around and I think you will hear great things about Gordon Levy. Gordon might be the route you want to go if you want A Factory 5 but do not want to upgrade or do the work yourself. Don't rule Factory 5 out because of the affordable price and think the quality is less. There are plenty of Factory 5 owners to seek out and get feed back on the durability and quality on or off the track. They wouldn't be the largest replica company if they sold crap.

Figure out what you are looking for in a car and see what manufacturer best fits that.

[gomarlins3]

I'm leaning toward Backdraft. Just my 2 cents.

[aumoore]

Originally posted by vegan2


I'm in Kingman, Arizona, so I thought that I would try the Arizona Club threads. I've just started to look for a Cobra in the $30K range, but the safe bet seems to be the Superformance Brand - $45K and up. What other manufacturers are in, say the top five?

It's my understanding that you just drop the engine, trans, etc. into a Superformance. Are all the other manufacturers simply rated on body quality with the work that goes into completing a car subject to all kinds of mistakes by those building the car? Buying a Cobra from someone that "built" it in their garage is a scary thought, but that seems to be the situation, correct?

If you are looking in the 30K range you can forget a Superformance, ERA, Kirkham, Shelby American and probably a Unique if you want to do one right. If you are looking for a real nice car that is "factory" built you can get a Backdraft for around $27k and then drop in a motor and tranny for about $6k and then you are close to $30K.

I have a Hunter that I built myself and I have much less than $30K even if I upgrade my Home done paint job to a $5000K paint job. If your limit is $30K you will probably have to settle for a small block which is really a better engie for actually drivig the car and they can be built pretty inexpensive. You should seriously consider a Cobra with a IRS suspension. If you do this your choices IMHO from most expensive to least expensive are:

Backdraft
Unique
Shell Valley/Midstates
Hunter
FFR

Any of the above make fine kits using either a Jag, Ford or Corvette IRS. If you want o settle for a Live Axle then there are many less expensive kits out there like

Classic Roadsters
B&B
FFR
Shell Valley/Midstates
Lonestar
A&C


If you can find a nice car used for $30k or less you will probably save a few bucks.

Some Manufacturers build turnkey Minus cars that are balically the same as the Superformance or Backdraft.

Remember they are all REPLICAS includng Shelby's cars

[sparks]

V2, Remember you usually get what you pay for.(most of the time).

[vegan2]

Originally posted by Jason Lee Nye


If you have the dough to blow then go.

Now that is an interesting quote. As I was looking around the web yesterday, I ran across the following quote:

The High Cost of Paying Too Little

"It’s unwise to pay too much, but it's worse to pay too little. When you pay too much, you lose a little money- that is all. When you pay too little you sometimes lose everything because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the thing it was bought to do. The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot - it can't be done. If you deal with the lowest benefit its well to add something for the risk you run, and if you do that you will have enough to pay for something better."

I don't have dough to blow as this is a one time opportunity.

[vegan2]

Originally posted by sparks


V2, Remember you usually get what you pay for.(most of the time).

You are correct, see the above quote.

On the other hand, if you find the right set of seller circumstances you at least can secure a bargain buy, versus paying an extreme price. My research to date indicates that really good Cobra's run from $40 on up, but there are also deals to be had between $30-$40 for really good Cobra's, but you have got to know what you are looking at - I don't.

[Chaplin]

but you have got to know what you are looking at - I don't.

If that's the case, invest the time to learn, before investing the money. Remember the other old adage about a fool and his money . . .

[vegan2]

Originally posted by aumoore


If you are looking in the 30K range you can forget a Superformance, ERA, Kirkham, Shelby American and probably a Unique if you want to do one right.

That statement, although generally true (based on my research), may or may not be true when looking at specific Cobra's in that I just found an ERA in the $30-$35 range with a possible downside that it was built in 1987. Are you saying that there is got to be problem with the Cobra or would this be an anomaly?

[vegan2]

Originally posted by Chaplin


If that's the case, invest the time to learn, before investing the money. Remember the other old adage about a fool and his money . . .

It that not what I'm doing, except for taking the time to respond to your useless quote?

[Chaplin]

If you can't see the value, then spend your money as you wish and good luck.

My point was, which you obviously were unable to figure out, is that you need to get out, look at cars, see, feel and touch them and understand the differences. Only after you've done that, will you be able to determine what you want, and therefore, what is truly a good deal for you.

Obviously you are on the the right track by asking questions on this site, but that should only be the very beginning of your inquiry, certainly not the end. Many people spend months, if not years, reseraching these cars, have looked at them, driven them, talked to owners and builders and have a good idea what they want.


That's my advice, take it or leave it. Either way, good luck.

[NeedAntiVenom]

Vegan2,

A 1987 ERA probably cost somewhere in to 35-45K range - held its value well IMHO.

There is a wealth of information available in the minds of the senior members of this forum. Each time I have need help, they have responded quickly with great advice.

It that not what I'm doing, except for taking the time to respond to your useless quote?

I suggest you don't bite the hands that educate you.

Jim

[mikiec]

Vegan2,

There are a couple of cars in the Kingman area. Sorry, I do not have the names of the individuals. I met one of them at last years Route 66 Fun Run. This year there will be about 4 or 5 of us taking part in the event.

I suggest you drive down and speak to Gordon as what to look for in your price range.

You might want to go to Vegas and check out SAI. Drive to Calif check out Hillbank, SPF dealer, and House of Cobras.

If you want I'll add your name and email address to our list. This way you can try to get to one of the gatherings and see various kits....from ERA's to FFR's....

Mike

[vegan2]

Now that is excellent advice! I appreciate it.

I'm actually trying to avoid some of the work and it's working - for example a club poster felt that I should avoid an ERA that was built in 1987 due to possible upgrading of body, etc. and that point was worth research. ERA responded that they have not made any significant changes so case closed.

All Cobra's look excellent to me.

Thanks for the input.

[Chaplin]

For a complete list of updates to ERA cars, go here

www.erareplicas.com/427/faqs.htm#usedcars

It will tell you at what car # the various updates occured.

Also, I suggest that you read everything on ERA's website. It is truly the single largest source of information (other than this site) I have found.

BTW, all cobras look excellent to me as well. However, they really are very different. The more you look at them, the more glaring the differences become, and you will discover that you like some more than others- even if you really do like them all.

[mikiec]

Vegan2

There is no substitute for work.....All the advise in the world is just that, advise. Advise based on personal preference.

You really need to look at various models. As Chaplin states...They are all different.

Mike

[Chaplin]

Plus, the work is half the fun

[vegan2]

On the other hand, I may have already found my Cobra, but I will ask you: Can an ERA turn out to be a piece of junk or is it a reasonable bet?