I want a cobra, how and why

[Aussie Mike]

Originally Posted by spookypt

You sure Mike about the 6 cyl FORD?

I was referring to the Ruddspeed AC Ace. Ken Rudd fitted 2.6L Ford Zephyr 6 cylinder motors. My understanding is it was an option back in the day. It was also at the time the supply of Bristol motors was drying up.

I think the AC 2L six was their own design but I'm not sure. I'm pretty sure the Bristol 6 was a BMW design that was taken as part of the war reparations after WW2.

Cheers

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by Aussie Mike

.....The advantage of building your own car is you can do it your way and not give a damn what anyone else thinks....

Yes! Absolutely!

Originally Posted by Aussie Mike

..... Stick a triple rotor 20B turbo Mazda rotary in it if you like ....

Hey...wait a minute...

Cheers!
Glen

[letsboogie351]

Jon, re Cobra ride....PM sent

Doug

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by Hoity

Ever since dad rocked home in the early 1980s with a scalextrix set and his car was the ford cobra, I could have any other car except that one. I have often thought about owning one. As life unfolds the reality of actually doing it gets a bit closer, I am at the point now where I want explore the possibility and would like to understand some of the reasons behind why people have gone down the path they have. Ie, chev motors in ford cars, why they chose the kit they did, how have the kits available today evolved, are donor cars no longer the way to go?

I have started my journey by talking to two kit suppliers, both appear very knowledgable and are very passionate about what they do. Read a whole lot on this forum, and I must say some of the detail some forum members go to is simply amazing. Whilst this is great see photos and read along as they ply their craft, it can be a little intimidating, then their are others who have stunning cars to look at and plenty of bling but not quite the extra 20% some of the artisans go to, which gives me belief I can do this.

So my first question for the forum, would be why you chose the kit you did?

Appreciate any and all comments

Cheers jon

Jon,

Firstly, welcome to the forum. We need more members and we need good build threads.
As you can see from my avatar, there's a Scalextrix Cobra in my past as well, so yes, I've always wanted one but only in recent years realised that it was within reach.
The Scalextric car is a 289FIA, so naturally that's the one that I've always wanted to build. None available here in Australia, so I had a deposit down with ERA for one of their wonderful 289FIAs, but soon realised that it would be a long hard road bringing in a car and having to have much more individual 'engineering' done to enable registration.
That was the point that I started talking with Craig White (Absolute Pace) and made a visit to the factory. Craig was enthusiastic about my idea of building an FIA replica here in Australia....so we talked about it on and off over a couple of years and then I finally decided to jump in and get moving with it.
....so, my car is - as far as I know - the first 289FIA in Australia (anybody - please correct me if I'm wrong). My car is of course the prototype for AP, so it's really a project that's developing as the car's being built. There are no surprises so far; I'm 2000km from the factory, so I get update pictures every week.
Here's my build thread if you're interested:
AP2289 build log

So, Ford vs Chev? It's a personal thing, and for me the originals had a 289 SBF so mine absolutely had to have an SBF as well. Yes, it's a little different to the original, but at least it is still the same engine family.
There are a few of us around the place with Ford engines in our cars. We're probably the quieter ones, because we don't have to make excuses

Some advice - don't jump into it too quickly; if you see pictures of cars or features on cars, or colours etc. take copies and put them in a folder for reference. That way, you will narrow down on what you want, and you'll also become aware of what you don't want. More advice - use this forum; ask questions ...there's a lot of experience and knowledge here.

Cheers,
Glen

[spookypt]

I started out a long time ago wanting a Ford motor with a 9 inch but I ended up with a Lexus motor and Skyline rear end. Sometimes it just works out that way.

The cobra community is evolving. At the end of the day its your dream and you do whatever you desire. My Toyota powered V8 8TB car was great but not for the purists. I owned a 1/2 share in a turbo'd Lexus which was great too but a long way from todays offerings. I've got a 351w in my track cobra and I've also got an LS2 in a Daytona. Do I have a preference, no. They both have their strengths and weaknesses and go like ASOS but I'm not overly concerned as to their power plant provenance.

There are some outstanding cars out there. All different types of configurations. Drb, Harrison, RMC, Superformance, Classic Revival, Robnell, Pace, Factory 5 PLus many more etc etc etc
There are less manufacturers out there now than 10 years ago but the quality of the ones remaining is very good and improving.

Look at Aussie Mikes car, The B Club crews Classic Revival cars, Leroys rebuild, Brads AP. There's so many options and avenues the list is never ending.

Last year, I wanted another car. Sought out an RCR GT40 and looked into a FIA Cobra and I tried a few suppliers for options and in the end opted out for a 2nd hand car rather than having a new one built or shipped in from OS. And the Daytona I bought was not on my radar at all.

It was simply the end result having tried to achieve different things from the marketplace with varied success. You may very well achieve a different outcome.

The biggest thing imo is to have a realistic expectation and talk to people about cars and their experiences. Then halve your expectation and double the time frame and budget and you'll be in the zone. Find a seller or manufacturer that you're on the same page with in relation to expectation and the delivery of that expectation. I found with my cobra purchase from an OS supplier that their keenness to talk to me reduced a fair bit once I'd sent the funds. That's how I felt about it anyway, they may disagree. The level of communication became a bit lopsided. Which was very suckful! No one wants to $hitcan the brand of car they've just forked out wads of coin for but I can tell you there is nothing more frustrating when the dialogue and promises all dry up once the funds have been sent or deal done. You're then at their mercy which is real bugbear of mine and I try to avoid that. Which is why after my OS experience and forming a collective on the local market that I simply found a car I liked and bought it privately. It wasn't about the $'s it was about the qualified angst I'd endure which in this life I can simply do without.

Just do your research, talk to cobra people, go for a drive in a few and then talk to some more people. The decision is yours. There is lots of great information out there, the cobra community is a special one and we are all pretty lucky to be a part of it. Welcome aboard and see you at the Nats.

Regards Spookypt

[Hoity]

Originally Posted by xb-60

Jon,

There are a few of us around the place with Ford engines in our cars. We're probably the quieter ones, because we don't have to make excuses

Some advice - don't jump into it too quickly; if you see pictures of cars or features on cars, or colours etc. take copies and put them in a folder for reference. That way, you will narrow down on what you want, and you'll also become aware of what you don't want. More advice - use this forum; ask questions ...there's a lot of experience and knowledge here.

Cheers,
Glen

thanks glen, i wonder if our old mans new the influence they had. appreciate the advise, some good points in there.

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by Hoity

thanks glen, i wonder if our old mans new the influence they had. appreciate the advise, some good points in there.

Can blame a couple of Scalextric GT40s for a lifelong admiration for GT40s as well
....but got to say, I still have the Cobra but I don't have either of the GT40s (regrettably)

Cheers,
Glen

[Hoity]

Originally Posted by letsboogie351

Jon, re Cobra ride....PM sent

Doug

Thanks doug, sent you one back
cheers
Jon

[boxhead]

Hi Hoity.
I have a similar preamble to yourself and most others.
I saw one in Melbourne in early 80's. pointed at it and asked my stepfather what it was.
Gloss black Cobra, chrome everywhere and big wheels, and a sound that was earth rumbling, the seed was set and I promised myself "I will have one of them one day".
Life rolls on and after a few relocation's and growing up, The chance to finally have a serious look happened.

I am a mechanic by trade and consider myself fairly hands on, with a willingness to have a crack at anything.
My "must haves" where
1- removeable body (I liked the idea of being able to work on it without having to crawl under body work while assembling)
2- Correct shape, some kits just are not quiet right in there overall shape (CR isnt spot on, but it is pretty close)
3- being able to source parts from donors, some see this as a bad thing, but a big part of the fun I had (and continue to have) is the hunt for parts I needed.
4- My build was always going to be a long slow process, as I am a tight arse, so I would save money, buy the next bit, then hunt and buy the next bit etc etc.
So a single supplier all in one hit was going to make it hard.

When I started looking, I was living in Nth Qld, i had pretty much nutted it down to Harrison or CR (CR in prime possi as Harrison body is fixed to chassis), on a drive to Melbourne, I stopped at both Harrison and CR to check out the cars with my own eyes, I had also "met" Aussie Mike through this forum, and he had recently obtained a CR and offered me a look at a car pulled apart.

After seeing the Harrison car, I was very happy, Warrick was very accomodating and showed me around, I then saw Ian and the CR, There was a red car in there being assembled (Sloths car), and I fell in love with it.
After seeing Mikes car in Melbourne my mind was set.

Life took a quick change and found myself relocated to Alice Springs, Money was saved and a CR was placed on order, Ian built the car quick smart and it was ready in approx 6 weeks.
I arranged for it to be freighted out, and so the story of building began.
I found the build fairly straight forward, but I also became acquainted with a great bunch of guys who where mostly all in the same boat of building a CR, the knowledge willfully shared certainly made building easier.
Yes, Ian is not the best salesman around, but he built the nuts and bolts of a good product, and with the genius of Aussie Mike, these cars just get better.

The CR car is a different beast now to the one I built (square tube chassis V round tube chassis), but from the ones that are built and being built, it appears the owners are having a similar experience to what I did.

Would I do it again, without a doubt.

[Aussie Mike]

I wouldn't use the word "Genius" Dave. OCD with completionist issues is probably more accurate .

Despite my differences with Ian I still believe the CR is the basis of one of the best kits in the country. The bones are all there and it has the features I liked (Similar to Dave above).

What has made it great for me is the ongoing development and support from the CR building community. I think you will probably get that from any of the kits you settle on. Pace builders are all sharing ideas and tips, same as Harrison, G-Force etc.

What ever kit you settle on get ready to make a new bunch of good friends as you embark on the journey.

Cheers

[Modena]

just further, what we are building here are cars which look like Cobras. Open the bonnet on a Pace and you will be looking (marveling probably) at the fancy chassis, not what engine is in there. Nothing much left of an original Cobra these days other than the body shape and it has a V8 in it.

[Hoity]

Its funny Modena, i heading over to Eagle spares now to check out the chevs, still doesnt seem right but if its a better solution then, whats a bloke to do.

Still like the idea of a SBF though

[Modena]

So do the SBF, it would be great. Just be prepared to pay a lot more the equivalent!

[deano59]

i used to think they way you are now but then i thought well did shelby use a jag diff and front end ? answer is no but nobody has a problem building there cobra using them .
i see the engine as the same if we are honest all we are building is a hot rod with a body that looks like a cobra , you could prob throw a dozen diff hotrod bodys onto the same chassis and nobody would care whats under the bonnet .
if you are trying to build a true replica you would replicate the suspension used as well they way i see it a lot of people seem to be a bit picky ie cant use a chev but dont give a rats what the rest of the car is built from ..
puts flame suit on now lol


just adding to this ive seen cobras fitted with all the listed engines some i shake my head at but they all are some ones pride and joy

lexus
fords small and big block
chev small and big block
turbo rb 30
superchared v6 commodore engine "why would you bother "
early holden 308's
and thats just in aust look in the uk and you get
rover v8's
ford 2 litre engines in pilgrem kits
jag 6 and v 12
bmw engines

and prob a heap i haven't seen yet

cheers dean

[spookypt]

Originally Posted by deano59

lexus
fords small and big block
chev small and big block
turbo rb 30
superchared v6 commodore engine "why would you bother "
early holden 308's
and thats just in aust look in the uk and you get
rover v8's
ford 2 litre engines in pilgrem kits
jag 6 and v 12
bmw engines

and prob a heap i haven't seen yet

cheers dean

We have a Dodge Viper V10 engine cobra up here in QLD and theres a V12 pegged to go in a Scotty Hampson creation. Bet it wont stay un turbo'd for long.

[spookypt]

Here's your answer...this one has a ford in it..... its not the original engine but it still has a ford power plant.

For the money though I'd prefer a matching numbers car. (If only I could afford it or be bothered.)

1962 Used Shelby Cobra CSX2000 For Sale at WeBe Autos Serving Long Island, NY, IID 9755169

[deano59]

Originally Posted by spookypt

Here's your answer...this one has a ford in it..... its not the original engine but it still has a ford power plant.

For the money though I'd prefer a matching numbers car. (If only I could afford it or be bothered.)

1962 Used Shelby Cobra CSX2000 For Sale at WeBe Autos Serving Long Island, NY, IID 9755169

cant see the mrs letting me mortgaging the house and each of us selling a kidney on the black market to raise the funds ..so i will just have to stick with what i have till i win x lotto to pay for it .

[Hoity]

All very good points and I will concede that my history of the Cobra is not as complete as others.

That being said I have a Ford Performane Racing baseball cap I purchased for $25 about five years ago, if I got a chev I wouldn't feel right wearing the cap.

Went over to eagle auto parts to get some pricing on the options for a v8. I haven't explored the engineering side as to what kit, will this motor fit, or can I get adr approval.

As good as the chev looks from an engineering and performance point of view, I can't bring myself to get rid of my FPR cap. The 5.0L coyote could be the one, by the time you buy the ECU package for the chev, it's about $1500 dearer for the ford. That's for an approx 420 -450 hp package.

There maybe cheaper packages out there but this is a comparative perspective.

[deano59]

Originally Posted by Hoity

All very good points and I will concede that my history of the Cobra is not as complete as others.

That being said I have a Ford Performane Racing baseball cap I purchased for $25 about five years ago, if I got a chev I wouldn't feel right wearing the cap.

Went over to eagle auto parts to get some pricing on the options for a v8. I haven't explored the engineering side as to what kit, will this motor fit, or can I get adr approval.

As good as the chev looks from an engineering and performance point of view, I can't bring myself to get rid of my FPR cap. The 5.0L coyote could be the one, by the time you buy the ECU package for the chev, it's about $1500 dearer for the ford. That's for an approx 420 -450 hp package.

There maybe cheaper packages out there but this is a comparative perspective.

thats easy fixed buy the chev and i will chip in and buy you a new chev hat hell after 5 yrs that ford hat would be looking tattered looking than a 5 lt au engine .

[Paintwerks]

Originally Posted by Hoity

Went over to eagle auto parts to get some pricing on the options for a v8. I haven't explored the engineering side as to what kit, will this motor fit, or can I get adr approval.

Eagle aren't the cheapest. Russell is building his Pace in Geelong and imported a 5.0 Ford Racing Coyote Aluminator, Ford Racing engine controller package and TKO transmission directly from the USA. He saved a lot of money this way. This motor will pass ADR/Emissions as it is the exact same motor in the current XR8, and forthcoming Mustang due later this year.

I can put you in touch with him if that's the route you wish to go. But, if you decide to go for the Pace, you'll need to decide on your motor choice by the time of ordering as the chassis needs to be built to fit the Coyote.