Pace 427 #23 Headed to Tassie (Eventually...)
 

Hi all

Tony here, from Tassie.

Bear with me, this is a bit of a ramble...

I have been lurking on Club Cobra for a while and have been researching the Cobra replica market for a long time. I have even briefly toyed with the notion of a GT40 replica.

A few years ago I completed a welding course at the local TAFE and built a 7x4 box trailer as the test of my skill. The trailer passed, and since that project I have aimed to build a car as a new challenge. I am sure there are projects of a skill level in between a trailer and a road registered car, but what the heck!

I have always been a petrol head and have loved to tinker with cars and bikes. I loved the Shelby Cobra 427 from the first time I saw one as a kid. I am 40 (odd....) now.

Having always loved the Cobra it worked out well that they are one of the best products in the kit car/replica market. My first car was a Leyland Mini, so anyone who has had one can understand that I have had my fair share of rust, and I wanted to use as many new parts as possible in a Cobra build.

While looking at all the different manufacturers that I could research from down here, along came the product from Absolute Pace. It looks amazing in photos and I also had the opportunity to visit the AP facility near the Gold Coast recently.

The product in the flesh is even more impressive. It really has changed my mind about what a Cobra replica could be. This comment is certainly not meant to detract from any of the other products out there, just horses-for-courses...

Anyway, after resisting the urge for a while, I have put a deposit down on Pace 427 chassis number 23! (I have a very understanding better half, so she did not put up too much of a fight ;)).

It will be a while before I can stump up for the full cost of the Comprehensive Kit that I have ordered, but my foot is now firmly in the door! I have opted for the Super Street body upgrade too.

Thanks Craig for your time and patience. Your knowledge and enthusiasm are appreciated.

My next step in this process is to build the 8m x 10m garage that I have council approval for. It will be a slow process, but I am one more baby step closer!

Exciting times, :D

Tony

Well done Tony. An 8x10 shed and an AP Cobra to put in it = double win!!!

Congratulations.

Im sure you wont be disappointed with the AP kit, looks great. I dont think you will need the welder on it though. AP has put in a lot of development so you assemble a car not manufacture a car.

Well played Tony. Congrats.
...and best wishes for completing all projects.

Your wife let you have a car and an 8x10 garage? Well then you win my friend. :)
Mine is only 6x6. :(

Congrats Tony. Good luck with the build of both!
Post heaps of photos - great to watch and learn.

Great news Tony and welcome to the Pace Family :)
Build # 23, WoW ! I'm build # 16
I'm heading to Tassie in November to Go Sick around Symonds Plains with a small group of Mad Victorians !

Congratulations, you're in for a great time building your cobra. There's no better feeling, well almost. :o
What is a "super street"?

Regards.

Well done tony... Glad to hear you made the call. By the time its ready I might be ready to come down to tassie to surf the east side.... Little place called shipsterns im keen to try.. Might be able to chuck it in my trailer for ya!!!

Spook, you're not fair dinkum about Shipsterns are you?
I have a cousin who pretty much dropped out in his early twenties and lived an "interesting" life in the Indonesian islands for years. He's surfed most of the classic Indo and Fiji breaks, and Maroubra and Fairy Bower on big days, but he told me after a boat trip out to Shipsterns he'd never take it on. Way too scary -- and this from a guy who's spent time in the hospital in several countries from collisions with reefs.

Anyhow ... back on topic... but I reserve the right to talk to Chris about this! %/

Thanks guys...

Craig and Dimis - the garage will be great. We downsized the house just over a year ago, so it is fitting that the garage is a upsized! :)

Zedn - too right! The welding on the AP is one of the features I love most! I would not go near it with a welder. I am assured it will be more like Lego to work on - much closer to my ability.

Chook - I am watching Brad and d4 at the moment, they are way in front of me...

d4 - what is the occasion in November? What cars?

Mando - the Super Street is a lighter, stronger body with different resins and more carbon content.

Matt - if you are driving down to Tas I would take you up on the offer. But that does not mean I am surfing shipsterns with you!! Wild place...

Tony

Tony, Glad to have you on board.

Actually really excited about what you are trying to achieve with your car. Certainly the way I would want to have it.

Mando, as Tony mentioned the PACE 427 Super Street is an upgraded body version with lots more carbon, upgraded VE resin. It is 22% lighter than our standard body and much, much stronger. It also features the same Carbon/Kevlar door panels as our standard body. The Super Street has many other advantages as well. I'm really proud of our standard carbon body, but the Super Street is just amazing, a real credit to my team and very popular with customers.

The only problem with the Super Street is that the carbon work is so pretty that you will want to mount the body upside down so everyone can see the pretty underside and rub their hands over the smooth surface. Photos below. Enjoy.

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...1600x1200_.JPG

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...1600x1200_.JPG


Craig White

Whoa great decision.

I know you will enjoy the build.

Craig is certainly making great headway with his builds. I know with over 20 odd orders his team are really hard at it.

I will be there later in the month and will Post some photos.

400TT

Hey Craig....

%/

Time for some up to date photos of your assembly line.....:MECOOL:

Come on don't be shy... :LOL:

We have a group of 16 mixed cars going down to tassie for a road trip 28/11/13-1/12/13. We have Porsches, Ferrari, Corvettes, Nissan GTR's, AMG, HSV's .
It's going to be Epic!

Wow d4 - sounds like you will make an impression down here in sleepy hollow!!

I am sure you have worked out your route, but if you want some tips let me know. I have been riding motorbikes around the island for over 20 years and know some good spots to stretch your legs...

I would love to meet up and say hi (and check out some of those cars!)

Tony

Tony we'll keep in touch on that front... It's a definite possibility. Just depends on timing I guess....

Don, done indo nearly every year since 89. Plus Fiji, Samoa, Tahiti, Maldives, etc etc... Off to the Spice Islands in jan.

All warm water!!! Mates have surfed shippies and keen i want to explore... It's only cold and sharky.

Spookypt

We will be in Hobart on the 30th of Nov. I'm not sure of the time? I can PM you my mobile number and maybe we can arrange a catch up, i'm sure the crew will be having a beer or two somewhere : )

Tony, congratulations! Great to hear you have joined the family!! But, do you remember the song by Simple Minds..."Don't you, forget about me"!

I'm chassis #003. My Pace 427SC will be with me at the end of October. ;)

Cheers,
Sime

Hi Simon

I have not forgotten you mate - I think you are the southern-most Pace in the pipeline so far.

I will wrangle a trip over to the big island once your kit arrives! many people think Tassie is a suburb of Melbourne anyway!

Tony

This is the look I will be aiming for:

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...um/image58.jpg

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...um/image59.jpg

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...um/image57.jpg