Choosing a Cobra kit

[itempany]

Have been looking here in Aus and in the Usa for kit choices. Have found Factory Five Roadster Mk IV kit to have the most information available and seems to be a well put together kit.The kit in the states retails for $19900 us and the agent here in Aus sells the kit for $39900 aud. Local kit does have some sheet alum re bent to suit right hand drive and steering rack to suit and the rear end included. Does it pay to purchase from the states and convert to rhd yourself, or is it financially viable to pay the extra for locally supplied kit. Any ideas will be gratefully recieved

[sambo]

Does the local version come with evidence of testing for engineering purposes? Eg, twist and bend, brakes, side intrusion, etc.

[d488y2]

The Component Cars web page says the cars are manufactured right hand drive in the USA by Factory Five Racing and feature chassis modifications to comply with the Australian torsion and beam testing requirements.
Component Cars Australia
But it would pay to talk to an Engineer about your plans.

There is also a seaction on importing the kit yourself
Component Cars Australia

[itempany]

I believe the local kit does have all the relevant testing requirements

[Gav]

That will save you a load of heartache in itself!

[BJ's Snake]

I would go straight to Craig at Absolute Pace if I was doing it again. Similar price and a lot closer than Component that are based in WA.

Cheers

[Rog246]

Originally Posted by itempany

I believe the local kit does have all the relevant testing requirements

Seeing as you're in Cairns and Qld has the toughest bend & torsion requirements of all the states, I would ask specifically if it meets QLD specs before I committed to it.
The other thing to think about is dealer support. Any of the Australian builders will be able to help you with just a phone call except the Vermine sorry tipo Venom guy mentioned on here!
That aside, your money is much better staying here rather than the US. That being said you will spend money on stuff from the states probably anyway, but any $'s spent here is IMHO doing the right thing by the country.
Support though is paramount.
just my thoughts
Rog

[400TT]

Hi and welcome to the forum. You've come to the right place for advice.

One of the best decisions I made years ago was purchasing a Cobra Replica Kit. You won't meet a nicer and more helpful group of people than Cobra owners.

If you can I would visit all the suppliers in person, see if you can get to a Cobra Club meeting and make a fully informed decision.

I believe we are actually cheaper than Component Cars when you compare the same quantity/level of parts.

We are also launching some new purchasing options to make it easier to get started on the road to owning one of our PACE 427's.

Good luck with it.

[Modena]

This is just my $0.02; if I was buying a kit now to build myself, I would be buying an Absolute Pace. I have no affiliation - they simply have the best product going in this country. If you think you will save 10K or so with a FF, you're probably wrong.

And there's no way you should buy anything without speaking in person to a lot of Cobra owners in your state, luckily there is no shortage in QLD

HTH

[Donunder]

Originally Posted by bj's snake

i would go straight to craig at absolute pace if i was doing it again.

+1

[BMK]

With Absolute Pace just round the corner - that would be the start point for any search.

FFR have been around for a long time and sell both street kits and race kits. The Smiths use donour parts from Ford Mustangs and have built literally thousands of cars.

Absolute use all new parts that are designed and tested in place.

My car is at their factory now and I was up their last week. It is well worth a visit there. There is plenty to see and cars being built there for you to look at..

[d488y2]

I had a good look at the FFR kit and come very close to buying one.
But by the time I upgraded the brakes, Independent Rear End, Pin Drives, Wheels, Seats, Body Work for Painting, and a few another items that needed to be replaced for Rego the price of the FFR kit was getting high. Plus at the time I was looking at fitting a LS3 and I wasn't prepared to do the mods for that. I did find an engine mount from Dingo that allows LS engines to go into Mustangs, so guess that would work?
I still like the FFR Cobras and I think they have a great product.

All I can say if you like the look of a FFR Cobra go and check out the Pace 427 from Absolute Pace. Then compare the two not only Dollar for Dollar but build quality and support. If you go to Absolute Pace you will be able to see firsthand how they build their kit and where your hard earned dollars are going.

[sambo]

Is the Absolute Pace kit supplied with engineering docs or does the owner need to pay for testing individually? Harrison was unable to provide me with evidence of the full brake test as required now in Vic and this was an extra expense for me. Probably worth asking.

[Paintwerks]

From 2000-2006, I lived in Detroit (my wife is from there). At the time, I was very interested in building an FFR. I paid the $50 for the instruction manual and got to know quite a few FFR builders who had kits of all stages from delivery of the kit to the completed cars. My wife had some reservations at the time in spending $40K on building the car so I held off and learned to fly instead (was a lot cheaper, and also on my bucket list)!

Fast forward to 2012. I was in a better position to look at building a Cobra again. Back in Australia now, I did look again at the FFR cars but kept hearing that the build quality was so-so. I remained impressed however in the 'Mechano-set' like construction ability of the car as I had never built a kit car before. Didn't like that the donor parts came from a car that was never sold in Australia.

I nearly put my money down on a Harrison as I know a gent who has built one and loves it. Seemed like a good way to go. But, then I learned of Absolute Pace and their 427SC.

Aluminium framed (compared to the FFR's steel frame), a gorgeous carbon/fibreglass/kevlar body that is pretty much ready to run right out of the mould and styled right off the original 427SC, the ability to comfortably fit up to a 6'5" driver standard without having to lengthen the chassis and make the car look awkward, Australian engineering approval, all new parts and excellent, local customer support.

It was a no-brainer for me. I ordered last October and my kit is due to be ready for delivery within the next 2-3 weeks I'd say. Do yourself a favour and have a look Pace's 427SC. If you can't get to Pace in person, the pictures themselves should be enough to convince you.

PACE 427 Unveiled

[d488y2]

AP are currently supplying my Engineer with all the test reports. Brake test included.

[400TT]

Whatever is required Australia wide for compliance we provide with the PACE 427 product and then some. We've always provided more than what's been required.

I believe that compliance wise there are some safety aspects that are not currently legislated to be tested for registration and are overlooked. We provide certification for all aspects that we believe should be independently tested and verified.

[itempany]

Hmmmm the choice of Factory 5 or Pace 427. Suppose it comes down to budget restraints (wife). The Pace kit certainly looks much better quality though. Hope to visit both companies in coming month or so. Excited to see both kits in person.

[Component Cars]

Originally Posted by 400TT

Hi and welcome to the forum. You've come to the right place for advice.

One of the best decisions I made years ago was purchasing a Cobra Replica Kit. You won't meet a nicer and more helpful group of people than Cobra owners.

If you can I would visit all the suppliers in person, see if you can get to a Cobra Club meeting and make a fully informed decision.

I believe we are actually cheaper than Component Cars when you compare the same quantity/level of parts.

We are also launching some new purchasing options to make it easier to get started on the road to owning one of our PACE 427's.

Good luck with it.

Lets not get into a debate over who's kit is more comprehensive, your aluminium chassis is very impressive but I think the last Mk4 I got through from FFR was chassis number 8039.
I take no credit for the Factory Five Racing product and appreciate you are very proud of your aluminium concept but to consider your product superior to the world leader in the market?
Factory Five Racing have been producing their Mk4 Cobra replica for more than 17 years.
Itempy, do your research, check the completeness of all the kits available and you will find we all offer uniquely different products.
If the aluminium chassis is your thing may I suggest also talking to Gary at By Design Motorsports in Qld who also offers the aluminium chassis but unlike the Pace 427 uses production vehicle based components. If your interested in a more authenitic looking replica or perhaps check out DRB or Classic Revival
As for the Pace I guess time will tell how long they take to get built and the big one...the end cost.
All Absolute Unknowns at this stage.
We just had a customer pick up 8039 a Mk4 which went out 100% COMPLETE!! Not a single rivet or nut was missing from the checklist.
Good feeling for the customer when investing their hard earned cash knowing that its all in front of them, they wont be waiting on a single part and all those brand new components are just waiting for them to make it happen.

Ok boys "Let the abuse roll on in".

Chris Canning
Component Cars Australia

[leroy17]

Another response could be to invite the potential purchaser to view the kit package on offer.

Anyone getting into these cars should have some sense and outlay a small amount of coin (in the scheme of things) to travel to manufactures (in any state) as part of research before a purchase. Sure we live in an online buying society...... But this is not about purchasing a gear knob.

Once you get around see and touch the different offerings you will see that all cobras are not created equal. The body shape variances for one will be very obvious.

Enjoy your search, be patient and speak with cobra owners..... They are a good bunch willing to help.

Also, for what it's worth.... If I was looking right now (having owned one and viewed many 'factory's ) I would be placing my order at Pace. Book a flight and check out for yourself.

[Zedn]

I know absolute pace sponsor this forum, have a nice looking product and Craig is a great guy but it seems every thread turns to being about AP these days. Combination of good launch marketing and good product. They are not the only option though.

Depends if you want to build a car or assemble a car. I prefer to build a car, I have fabricated most parts on my car myself and for this reason would buy the same kit if I did it again or even just buy a body and make rest.

There are now many options in Australia. G-force, RMC, RCM, Harrison, BDM, python, DRB, Absolute Pace, FFR and I have probably forgotten some.

As has been said, call them up and talk to them about what they offer. If they sound alright on the phone go and visit.

Also watch eBay for kits that come up cheap on there. I bought my kit on eBay for $6k.

Component cars, not good form to bag the competition. Sell your own features and allow the customer to compare the feature to others and draw their own conclusion.