Newcomer

[Paintwerks]

Hi Tony,

I'm relatively new here myself, but welcome anyways!

When I lived in Detroit (2000-2005), I'd planned on building an FFR Cobra. At the time, I only went as far as to buy an assembly manual and hang out with guys who were building them. So I saw various FFR's from delivery/boxed-stage through to completed stage. Some were all-new-everything exxy cars with 427 and 460 big blocks, and others were much cheaper ‘bitzer/homebrew’ cars that used the old, used Fox-body Mustang as the donor car (using a 302). Try hard and you could get an FFR on the road using donor parts for under $19K. But I only wanted all-new parts and a 460 crate motor……wifey thought a $45-50K hole in the bank account was too much to spend at that time so I learned to fly instead (about $10K).

Fast forward to mid-2012 and I was now finally in a position to build a Cobra (also easier for me as I own a bodyshop and paint these types of cars for a living!). I looked at FFR again, as I did Harrison, CR, Python and DRB. While they were all great kits in their own right, in late September ’12 I financially committed to a Pace Engineering (Prop. Craig White) 427SC out of the Gold Coast.

My reasons for choosing this kit were as follows:

1. Craig is the Australian agent for the aluminium-bodied Kirkham Cobras. He’s been around a while too, which is reassuring. His customer service, communication and people skills are also first rate. He is super-friendly as well. When you are venturing into the 'unknown' having this kind of support is critical.
2. He has extensive experience building other brands of Cobras including FFR, Harrison and DRB for paying customers so he knows the strengths and weaknesses of those kits. He also offers a GT40 kit and another type of ‘supercar’ kit car.
3. His 427SC body is (I believe) moulded off the aluminium-bodied Kirkham which is in turn taken from CSX3034, an original Shelby ‘65 427SC, so dimensionally it's very correct.
4. The Pace 427SC is the only Australian kit with a full aircraft grade aluminium chassis (whereas all others are steel of some sort). That means compared to metal, it will be lighter and stronger with no rust issues to be concerned about down the line. Finished weight with an LS3 will be between 950-980kg whereas I believe a Harrison with the same motor is around 1050-1100kg.
5. Compared to other Cobra kits, the Pace 427SC is wider, plus the standard-bodied car can accept a driver up to 6'4" on standard width seat rails; whereas others like the Harrison apparently have to be ordered as a stretched 50mm or 100mm longer chassis/body to fit a driver over 6ft/6’1”. Honestly no offence to those that own one, but I am simply not a fan of the stretched look.
6. Craig's kit comes as a rolling chassis with brand new differential, adjustable coilover suspension and steering rack. No second hand parts are used. It does cost more that say, a Harrison (about $20ish K for a rolling Harrison versus $29,995 for the rolling Pace 427SC), but I do personally believe everything that Craig offers is worth the extra coin.
7. I'm not privy to sharing the images (yet), but I can tell you from what I have seen, the fibreglass, kevlar and carbon body is drop-dead gorgeous and straight as a die. This theoretically means less time in prep before paint, lighter due to less filler and a better overall finished result.
8. Because the Pace 427SC uses its own chassis, they've been able to set the tyres to tuck just under the rear fenders yet still with 100mm legal ground clearance. It sits low and mean, unlike the 'jacked-up' look that some other kits have to deal with by virtue of their design.
9. From what he tells me, Craig is modelling his 427SC enterprise to be like FFR’s. He’s planning to be able to offer all the parts in-house to complete the car, at very attractive prices. So it will save you money to buy everything through him as he will buy in quantity, plus you’ll get the parts faster as well as being the correct parts for the car (and we all hate it when the parts don't fit because we ordered the wrong thing!)

Now to your questions on engineering:

1. I have spoken with my Melbourne-based VASS Approved Engineer who has in turn spoken with Craig. Rowan reported that Craig supplied him with the relevant documentation and that everything was in order. He said there would be no problem registering the car on full reg in Victoria

2. The Engineer said that he wasn't concerned about live side pipes, but that VicRoads may have an issue due to exceeding the permitted noise limits. He did suggest that it would be easier to comply the car with an undercar system. From what I have heard about live side pipes heavily assaulting your eardrums, I am tending to stick with the dummy side pipes (you can't replace your hearing!).

3. I was considering the Coyote, but have chosen to go to the dark side…and am fitting an LS376 525hp LS3 mated to a TKO600 5 speed with a .64 5th gear. I’m also planning on running pin drive 15” knock on/off wheels with the Goodyear ‘Billboard’ tyres.

My kit is currently under construction at the factory. I’m not sure when it will be ready but I hope within the month. If the Pace 427 interests you, then you’re more than welcome to check my car out when it arrives.

Whatever kit you choose, best of luck with your journey!

Cheers,
Sime