Got bitten by Cobra

[puttputt]

Hi from the West.

I am in Perth, WA, and have been searching and see that locally we have G-force and an agent for Factory five USA, and then all the Eastern states makers. So how does a person choose, all I know is to avoid Mr ##cker
from V##om. I would lean towards Chevy power, otherwise I am at a loss, any advise is most welcome.

I have read a lot of posts here, but mostly applies to folk on the East.

Cheers

[BMK]

Pm sent to you

[tomcat racing]

Dont forget RMC, replica motor company, their factory workshop is in perth.

[Aussie Mike]

There's plenty of folks on the east coast that have built kits from the west coast and vice versa. Don't let the location of the dealer slow you down. Plenty of kits have been shipped from one side of this wide brown land to the other.

[boxhead]

WA regulations appear to be at a similar wave length to NT ones.
I would get to a club meeting first, look at the different shapes and decide which one you find most appealing.

Having a local agent no doubt might make life easier, but not a requirement.

[puttputt]

Thanks guys,

I would prefer going local if possible, for starters it would save me a couple of thousand on transport, and buying parts is so hard coast to coast, it is so much easier to go to the factory, and see the part to make sure it is what I want.

I would need a real compelling reason to order from the east.

[puttputt]

I will try find out about RMC, their website doesn't seem to be active, clicking on anything ends up 'not available'.

[Silversmith]

A Chebbie in a Ford Icon! Oh the Shame! But each to his own, thats the beauty of the Kit format. I know the cost of shipping from the US is more than local built. Also, as I don't know your local builders. I only feel secure in offering opions on those that I am aware of. FFR builds a top quality kit & the new MKIV body is the most accurate reproduction of a original AC roadster, FFR has ever done! It's not exact like a ERA, CSX, or KMC; but its close! and has a wicked good frame/foundation to build from. If you are looking for top US builders. I would offer this list. For Alum. body AC's/rollers: (1) KMC (2) CSX (3)SPF. For top Fiberglass AC/rollers: (1)ERA (2)CSX (3)KMC (4)SPF (5) Unique. For top kit builders/non rollers: (1) FFR (2) assorted, including some of the above. Be aware most of the above listed are not truly kit builders, they build factory rollers or turnkeys. IMHO; FFR is the best true kit builder out there! Just about every builder listed offerings will be in excess of $50K to 100K+ finished. Except the FFR! For the cash, quality, & delivery (kit) time est. FFR is #1 for the true gearhead. I most likely started a firestorm with my picks, but there they are! Enjoy M8.

WELCOME TO THE ADDICTION THERE IS NO CURE!

[Rob. Smith]

Originally Posted by puttputt

I will try find out about RMC, their website doesn't seem to be active, clicking on anything ends up 'not available'.

If you do get in touch with RMC... Let us all know what's going on there. When I bought my RMC bits. Mike Moylan (the original builder) told me..."If you need a build manual, then you shouldn't be attempting to build a car." I didn't need a manual because I re-did everything anyway. I hope they are a bit better nowadays. Nothing wrong with the car originally. Just not how I would have done it.

[Tenrocca]

Originally Posted by puttputt

Thanks guys,

I would prefer going local if possible, for starters it would save me a couple of thousand on transport, and buying parts is so hard coast to coast, it is so much easier to go to the factory, and see the part to make sure it is what I want.

I would need a real compelling reason to order from the east.

Welcome to the forum.

After the kit purchase 90% of the rest of the stuff you will need to buy will be pretty universal between kits.

A real compelling reason - the 3 best manufacturers are on the east coast (IMO). Harrison, Classic Revival, and Pace (Yet to see a pace 427 - not in full production yet? - but should be a very good car based on what they are doing up their)

Cheers

[BMK]

Yes, I agree that the kit if it comes from the east coast - transport cost taken into account - would be a viable option as all parts are readily available anywhere or via post freight.

Most rolling kits need the standard bolt on items - windscreen, headlights, tailights, number plate brackets, jacks or over riders etc etc.

The cheaper way to transport - cost - would be a roller less wheels on a basic pallet with adhesive plastic wrap for protection. If you decide to buy from the east coast.

Mention was made of FFR - Factory Five - there. Check out who is selling these cars. I have seen a number of the FFR cars and driven one at Midstates raceway. They are well made and use donour parts that are readily available. FFR run a comp series in the USA.

If you contact the Smiths at FFR they will send you a DVD or their cars and brochures. I am sure their distributor is in your backyard..

Good luck in the search.

PM sent

[boxhead]

Mine came from Sydney to Alice Springs on a pallet.
I used Northline Freight.
I am sure they made an error at billing time, as only charged me for 1 pallet freight, $150 odd dollars from memory. :-)

[Aussie Mike]

Originally Posted by puttputt

Thanks guys,

I would prefer going local if possible, for starters it would save me a couple of thousand on transport, and buying parts is so hard coast to coast, it is so much easier to go to the factory, and see the part to make sure it is what I want.

I would need a real compelling reason to order from the east.

The body shell on the G-Force is very nice. Definitely worth checking out.

Cheers

[Dimis]

Welcome aboard Puttputt,

Good luck with your choice.
To be honest it would be difficult to make a bad one with those kits already mentioned.

My 2-cents before deciding is to make sure you are comfortable with the company/people you are dealing with. You may have to contact them repeatedly over the course of your build. It makes it easier if you have a good rapport with them and they have good customer relations.

Depending on how much building you want to do there's one that hasn't been mentioned yet - SPF.

There is one out your way, owned by Paul (aka - Heidelberg on CC) done by a guy also out your way - Marksworkshop - See links:

NBI'm not ashamed to admit this is one of my personal fav builds, I like to make reference to it at every opportunity.

Marks Workshop

LS7 SUPERFORMANCE COBRA - YouTube

--

PS: On a good day, your name hints at my golfing prowess. On those regular days it's more like Putt, putt, putt, putt... Dam! Lets just pretend in when in


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Originally Posted by boxhead

Mine came from Sydney to Alice Springs on a pallet.
I used Northline Freight. I am sure they made an error at billing time, as only charged me for 1 pallet freight, $150 odd dollars from memory. :-)

No kidding!?
It can cost me that much and more to ship smaller items half the distance

[Modena]

this photo comparison might interest you, open to personal opinions;

Australian Cobras a photo comparison?

mine cost me $600 to freight on a pallet from Sydney to Melbourne, that was to the depot, and it was difficult to find someone at all who would freight it;

[puttputt]

Thanks for all the input, I am so glad I found this site, I phoned RMC and had a chat, I will go and have a look. So far I do like the look and specs of the Classic revival.

[puttputt]

Ouch, just got a qoute from NorthLine to freight Body and chassis on a pallet from Sydney to their Perth depot, $2500.00 !!!!

[Modena]

As much as it might hurt now, my advice would be dont let a once off freight cost make your decision for you. If a local shop is important to you then ok, but dont choose a supplier based off freight cost, its not much coin in the scheme of the overall build (dont know about US freight cost but you seem to be talking aussie kit anyway)

Ben

[albanycobra]

Nah try WA freightliners, just cost me $1300 to have a Gt40 body chassis on a pallet shipped from QLD to WA.

I wouldn't let saving a few grand on freight make my decision. Although G Force make a good Cobra ,except for the fact they use old Jag stuff for driveline which may be expensive and hard to get.

FFR make a comprehensive kit, I know I built and regoed a FFR Coupe a few years ago, downside was a lot of the parts where cheap and the body fit was not the best. But in the end a solid car.

[boxhead]

Yeah, I gotta say the initial cost and freight, is a drop in the ocean.
When I bought my CR, it was one of the more expensive kits (I havent done any price checks recently so not sure if it is still the case), but my completed price was a lot lower than other kits, also having the body already bonded together and parts swinging, made life alot easier.