Best Oz Kit Poll

[Tonus72]

Originally Posted by OZCOBRA

Well Tony ,

I'm sure your selection will no doubt be well researched by BOTH of you...
I look forward to driving Targa one of these days in my REPLICA COBRA!!

Cheers OZ

Hi guys

I have appreciated all the banter - It seems to be good natured - no body seems to be giving more than they get ! It is a 'just for fun' poll.

The 'newbie' is getting something out of it.

And thanks to people who sent their two-bobs in a PM - they are appreciated

Cheers...

But, OZ - I think that was a two-headed Tasmanian joke !!! Very subtle !

A low blow

PS - I was born in Melbourne - I claim dual-'citizenship'

/2


Tony

[OZCOBRA]

Originally Posted by Tonus72

But, OZ - I think that was a two-headed Tasmanian joke !!! Very subtle !

A low blow

PS - I was born in Melbourne - I claim dual-'citizenship'

/2


Tony

I was hoping it would be picked up!!!....Door's always open over here mate anytime!!

[Merv and Sharon]

Tone,

Tasmania has to be one of the best states for driving a Cobra!

Do chat with the guys that provide the kits as they are a vital link in the process. Also get on the 'phone and talk with folk who have just finished cars and ask how they went, how long it took and what hassles there were. I can't over stress how valuable that is.

Last this Forum is a great support as you go along the way.

Enjoy the ride!

[STEPHEN BROHOLM]

G'day Tone.

As a Cobra nut myself, my dream is to someday own a replica which aesthetically authentic as possible.

Not that I'm in any position to begin a build, my thoughts for a locally supplied kit would go a little something like this.

As far as I can tell, the current G-Force body with the s/c rear lip is probably one of the most accurate bodies on the Australian market.

For something a bit different, I would investigate engineering the chassis (by an expert of course) to mount reproduction front/rear suspension arms and wheel hubs to accept pin drive wheels with the correct offsets. Cobra Restorers or Kirkham I'm sure would oblige with these parts and design details.

Perhaps even modifying the bulkhead behind the seats to expose the roll bar would be on the list of things to do.

I'm sure it would be a somewhat expensive to pull off, however if I was in the enviable financial position to build my dream car, then these changes would go some way to adding an air of authenticity, that I believe would be worth the effort.

With a black rollbar of the correct diameter and design, black quickjacks, black sidepipes, riveted bonnet/scoop and simple interior you'd give Andrew and Stef a serious run for their money!

Cheers.

Steve.

[Tenrocca]

Originally Posted by STEPHEN BROHOLM

With a black rollbar of the correct diameter and design, black quickjacks, black sidepipes, riveted bonnet/scoop and simple interior you'd give Andrew and Stef a serious run for their money!

Steve.

I pulled the award out of my arse last year, my car aint in the same league as Stefs. No way, no how.

Buuuuuttttttt, it wont stop me getting as much mileage out of it between now and October as I can.

I too would consider engineering my own chassis, perhaps using a homebush body given the time and workshop to do so. IMHO there isnt an Aussie manufacturer that ticks every box I would want on my ideal car.

[Tenrocca]

Couldn't agree with you more OZCOBRA. There is a vested interested by each cobra owner in saying their kit is the best - be it just wanting to have a kit with a good "reputation" which could help future values, or just stupid pride that makes them too ashamed to confess they bought a car that looks more like a karmann ghia then a cobra.

There are some very nice cars of all makes out there, but there would be many owners that wish they had the shape of Australias most original cobra 2009-2010 rather then their own.

[OZCOBRA]

Originally Posted by Tenrocca

but there would be many owners that wish they had the shape of Australias most original cobra 2009-2010 rather then their own.

...I do wonder will my lowly Homebush ever be able to reach the lofty heights of Cobra royalty as did Australias most original cobra in 2009-2010...
Do I need to venture to the darkside to secure the public vote!!!...though as you said the bar has been raised to such a height that even Steve Hooker would baulk at its current height!!!

[Aussie Mike]

Well this thread is spiraling down into a steaming pile of excrement. I figured it would, that's why I haven't posted on it before now.

Pull your heads in guys. It doesn't matter how many smileys you put after your words you are still going to offend people.

This thread serves no useful purpose like most of the "mine is better threads".

[OZCOBRA]

None of this should offend anyone!!!...Certainly if they are Honest with themselves and giving a view on a particular Manufacturer that actually gives the Pro's and Con's so as to inform the NEWBIE !!!

.....playful banter is the Aussie way!!! and anything of worth can and has been done through the PM channel...SO SMILEY AWAY

This was doomed from the start when Tony inadvertently left numerous Manufactures and suppliers off the poll...and included FFR in a best aussie kit poll!!!!

[boxhead]

Hmmm, I just read the last few comments and as Aussie has stated I think some are loosing the light heartedness of the banter.
If it was all started by me and my comment then I appologise and will sit in teh corner for a while.
I did not intends to "bag" anyones car but wanted to point out what (in my opinion) is not as pleasing a shape from the supplier.

Under the skin my car started life exactly the same way as Phil Mizzi's car did, yet I would not in any way consider my car to be in the same league as his.

And my point in saying that, is we can all make the end product into what we want.

[OZCOBRA]

Boxhead,

The light heartedness in the banter is their from start to finish in that Victor continues to add to it .... AC TURD says the guy has a sense of humour!!! so I'll poke the boy till it hurts...
Brutal honesty on a DRB's shape has always drawn the same response for the last 10+years and is nothing new and has never been personal and if it is taken that way they need to step back to REALITY!!....we all appreciate these cars and those whom we socialise and deal with while building or enjoying them....

[victor]

Originally Posted by OZCOBRA

Boxhead,

The light heartedness in the banter is their from start to finish in that Victor continues to add to it .... AC TURD says the guy has a sense of humour!!! so I'll poke the boy till it hurts...
Brutal honesty on a DRB's shape has always drawn the same response for the last 10+years and is nothing new and has never been personal and if it is taken that way they need to step back to REALITY!!....we all appreciate these cars and those whom we socialise and deal with while building or enjoying them....

Brutal honesty ,oz,I bought my car after hearing stories regarding the toyota based kits,seems their the crap.DRB seemed the next best option .I just wanted a cobra that was at lest respectable, safe and affordable. Only after purchasing her i read and saw that broken back look ,wtf were they thinking.Then i find out i couldnt put a bb in it,again,wtf. I have done alot of cosmetic changes ,detailed the **** out of it and been driving her everywhere and really enjoy the attention it recieves.I also cut and polished her to a mirror finish hoping to blind anyone seeing or picking the obvious flaw so yer,love that, my car.

[OZCOBRA]

Originally Posted by victor

Brutal honesty ,oz,I bought my car after hearing stories regarding the toyota based kits,seems their the crap.DRB seemed the next best option .I just wanted a cobra that was at lest respectable, safe and affordable. Only after purchasing her i read and saw that broken back look ,wtf were they thinking.Then i find out i couldnt put a bb in it,again,wtf. I have done alot of cosmetic changes ,detailed the **** out of it and been driving her everywhere and really enjoy the attention it recieves.I also cut and polished her to a mirror finish hoping to blind anyone seeing or picking the obvious flaw so yer,love that, my car.

Hey Victor,
That brutal Honesty is what a thread like this asked for and what you just divulged is exactly what the potential buyer needs to hear so he or she can ask relevant questions ....The reason I asked the question on build or buy is that it becomes quite evident when someone talks about their car as you were and it gives the newbie a Nice GLOSSY image of a car without knowing the Pro's and Con's.
I enjoy the sh!t stirring it's never personal and does eventually lead to constructive comments and info!!
I can appreciate a buyers passion for a great looking red Cobra that is dotted on,enjoy the ride and hope to punch on in person one day.....and one last smiley for AUSSIEMIKE.

Cheers OZ

[David Hodgson]

Originally Posted by victor

Brutal honesty ,oz,I bought my car after hearing stories regarding the toyota based kits,seems their the crap.DRB seemed the next best option.

I too have stayed out of this, mainly because it’s been done to death. But being an owner builder of a Crown chassied cobra I must defend her! Mine is not your typical crown build, I’ll get to details later.

I must agree, Crown chassied cobra’s have never had a good rep, and for very good reason. In fact I enquired about one in 1983, and promptly ran away as fast as I could. Before fabricated chassis were available, the choice was to find a proprietary chassis that dimensionally came close, and then work with it. There were some very dubious kits in the early days, and these are the ones still doing the rounds, passed on to a new unsuspecting enthusiast, in a state of perpetual incompleteness. They were very basic in design and pretty nasty. Not necessarily the chassis, but the quality of the body etc.

Now if you look at chassis alone, I don’t see much difference between the Crown rolling stock and the Torana. Both fronts are pressed metal cross members and control arms, and unless upgraded, both rears use light duty live rear axles with drum brakes, adequate for a cruiser. The let down of the Crown front end is the slow steering box. Frankly, I see a Crown/G-Force as a better option than a DRB. However, stay far away from attempting any other Crown kit.

My car is a G-Force (reputable builder) with Crown chassis and Jag rear end. I took this route back in 1990 as in ACT and some other states, at the time, using a proprietary chassis was considered, for ADR and rego purposes, a ‘re-body’. This allowed me to build to 1972 regulations, the main benefit being ‘live’ side pipes at 96dba, no argument and leaded fuel. Strip my car to the chassis and apart from the pressed metal front end, appears basically the same as the G-Force MKI, RMC, W.E, and RCM, all respected cars. To back it up, in it’s first outing, I placed fourth overall in the Go-whoa at ’97 WW Nats, have placed 3rd in class at for Wakefield Nats hill climb, and when I was a regular, consistently placed in the first 3rd of the field for class in sprints. The car runs a carburettored mild 302 with street tyres.

So it really does come down to what you as the owner want to achieve. Would I go this route again? – probably not given the quality of most kits today, and what you need to comply with.





The Ferrari pictured is actually a Datsun 260Z. Ian Denner of Classic Revival built these in late 90's

[boxhead]

Originally Posted by David Hodgson

I too have stayed out of this, mainly because it’s been done to death. But being an owner builder of a Crown chassied cobra I must defend her! Mine is not your typical crown build, I’ll get to details later.

I must agree, Crown chassied cobra’s have never had a good rep, and for very good reason. In fact I enquired about one in 1983, and promptly ran away as fast as I could. Before fabricated chassis were available, the choice was to find a proprietary chassis that dimensionally came close, and then work with it. There were some very dubious kits in the early days, and these are the ones still doing the rounds, passed on to a new unsuspecting enthusiast, in a state of perpetual incompleteness. They were very basic in design and pretty nasty. Not necessarily the chassis, but the quality of the body etc.

Now if you look at chassis alone, I don’t see much difference between the Crown rolling stock and the Torana. Both fronts are pressed metal cross members and control arms, and unless upgraded, both rears use light duty live rear axles with drum brakes, adequate for a cruiser. The let down of the Crown front end is the slow steering box. Frankly, I see a Crown/G-Force as a better option than a DRB. However, stay far away from attempting any other Crown kit.

My car is a G-Force (reputable builder) with Crown chassis and Jag rear end. I took this route back in 1990 as in ACT and some other states, at the time, using a proprietary chassis was considered, for ADR and rego purposes, a ‘re-body’. This allowed me to build to 1972 regulations, the main benefit being ‘live’ side pipes at 96dba, no argument and leaded fuel. Strip my car to the chassis and apart from the pressed metal front end, appears basically the same as the G-Force MKI, RMC, W.E, and RCM, all respected cars. To back it up, in it’s first outing, I placed fourth overall in the Go-whoa at ’97 WW Nats, have placed 3rd in class at for Wakefield Nats hill climb, and when I was a regular, consistently placed in the first 3rd of the field for class in sprints. The car runs a carburettored mild 302 with street tyres.

So it really does come down to what you as the owner want to achieve. Would I go this route again? – probably not given the quality of most kits today, and what you need to comply with.





The Ferrari pictured is actually a Datsun 260Z. Ian Denner of Classic Revival built these in late 90's

David, I think Iam still does the Ferrari 240Z, I wanted to get one for the Mrs's (would run LS1 with auto box) but she wanted a Charger.

[jdean]

Was the status of Robnell ever determined? They had a nice Oz-based kit. Reminds me of the Hurricane here in the US.

[400TT]

Originally Posted by jdean

Was the status of Robnell ever determined? They had a nice Oz-based kit. Reminds me of the Hurricane here in the US.

Richard Bendell owns what is left of Robnell. Not currently in production. Body and Chassis was based off Ram from the UK.

[Blair]

I think I better sell my Cobra. It has a Ford engine and a DRB body. It's all down hill from there!!

[Merv and Sharon]

Very funny Blair! ROTFL

[Aussie Mike]

That's a good looking Cobra David. You should be proud.

One thing that annoyed me about this thread is that it doesn't take into account the quality of work gone into the build. I reckon with patience and work most Cobras could be made to handle well regardless of their running gear. Effort put into the bodywork will yield results too. Or a quick coat of flat black like mine will make even the nicest body look crappy.

What I would have rather seen is people list the pros and cons of their own kits rather than just bagging other manufacturers. What's important to one person may not be to another. The opposite may even apply.

For example I'll start with my CR. Note however that my car is not the current generation round tube chassis.

Pros:

• I like the body shape, I think it's fairly accurate but more importantly to me it looks good aesthetically.

• I like the materials used in the body construction. Quadra (quad directional stitched mat) and Vinyl Ester resin rather than chop strand mat and polyester resin that many use. This makes for a stronger body that's light weight.

• I like how the tub is bonded into the body. This makes for a tidy engine bay/underside and adds a lot of strength to the body.

• Use of core mat in areas like the floor make for a stronger structure without adding a lot of extra weight.

• I like having the ability to separate the body from the chassis. I'm a chronic tinkerer/modifier and this makes it easier for me to make chassis and suspension changes.

• Double wishbone rear suspension is a plus as it's a lot more adjustable than a Jag IRS or a live axle.

Cons:

• The body doesn't have a neatly molded door sill like many do. This makes trimming the carpet around this area a bit untidy. However it could be said that the original cars didn't have much of a door sill either.

• I think the wheel arches are a little too large in diameter. Not a big issue and you don't notice it so much if you sit the car at the right height. Also some don't like the large front wheel flares (I like 'em)

• Despite it's strength the body does flex a bit too much in some areas (at least mine does). It's a bit to thin across the top of the dash and across the top of the body behind the cabin. However I've seen there is some inconsistency between bodies as others have heaps of material there. Perhaps it depends on who's laying the fiberglass that day. This is not a major issue as I can lay some extra core mat and glass in there myself.

• Body alignment. Some have found the body out of whack on the chassis from left to right. This can be a pain to correct as it requires re drilling the body mounting holes. It's not fun to find when you are a good way through your build. Normally discovered when you bolt the wheels on for the first time. Mine wasn't too bad but others have had dramas.

• Ford AU IRS has cast steel arms which are very heavy. The geometry is not real good for bump steer. The Ford diff center only has a 7.5" crown wheel which has been known to break. I personally know of 2 cars that have broken diffs. All of this can be corrected with a bit of work.

• The wheel offsets on the CR may not suit some. There is very little dish on the rear wheels due to the wide Ford rear end used. This gives a more modern look that really only suits larger diameter rims. It looks a bit odd with traditional 15" wheels. It also limits your wheel choices to custom built wheels.

There's probably a lot of other pros and cons I could list but these are what I can think of at the moment.

So rather than just bagging cars I challenge they guys on here to analyze their own kit and choices and come up with a list.

Cheers