Cobra replicas in Australia

[Jase]

As someone reletively new to the Cobra scene, I need some information about Cobra replicas in Australia. Someone suggested that the Classic Revival cars; my understanding of their product from their website is that you can either spend $78,380 and get everything - or you can spend $22,630 for a rolling chassis. From my understanding, both packages are priced as assembled. Is there a different price for unassembled? Why such a great difference between prices? I've noticed a few people have to make certain components themselves. Is that because they're not available?

Having a look around here I've come across the name Robnell a few times as well, but from what I've read, they're a lot harder to come by.

Are there any other suggestions?

The other question is the assembly of a full kit car. What exactly is required. I would assume that its more than simple bolting everything together, but I would hope its less than a whole heap of cutting, modification and welding.

[ledge]

Hi Jase
I have got a Harrison kit which is made in QLD and have been very impressed with it so far , I havent had to do much cutting or grinding but that will depend alot on the things that you wish to do to your car and what you are prepaired to pay someone to do for you . Obviously it is always cheaper to do yourself . I would say the cheapest way to get a cobra is to buy one that is already done but where is the fun in that . Alot of guys here have the Classic kit that you mention and they are very pleased with them so it really is up to your personal preference on which kit maker gives what you think to be the best package .
here is a link to where i got my car from

Paul
http://www.cobrakits.com.au/

[Jase]

Thanks Paul!

Buying a complete car is out the question - like you said, the fun is in building it yourself. It will all be a learning experience for me, so I'm not entirely against doing any cutting/grinding myself, just really gathering as much information as I can at the moment.

[Aussie Mike]

Hi Jase,

The $78K is for a turnkey car, complete drive it home.

The $22K gets you a rolling car ie all suspension, steering and brakes fitted. Doors, bonnet and boot lid hung. You still have to find an engine, transmission, fuel system, ECU, wiring, lights, widscreen, paint, interior, Wheels and tyres, Engineers report, rego etc.. (Have I forgotten anything?)

Ian also does a basic bare body and chassis kit for about $11.5K inc GST. It comes with the body fitted to the chassis and all the panels hung. You have to source your suspension, brakes, steering etc. This is the kit I went for. I enjoy the building and tinkering with the whole thing so this kit suited me to a T.

Have a look in my gallery and Boxheads gallery as we both started this way and haved been taking pictures all along.

Cheers

[Jase]

Originally posted by Aussie Mike


Hi Jase,

The $78K is for a turnkey car, complete drive it home.

The $22K gets you a rolling car ie all suspension, steering and brakes fitted. Doors, bonnet and boot lid hung. You still have to find an engine, transmission, fuel system, ECU, wiring, lights, widscreen, paint, interior, Wheels and tyres, Engineers report, rego etc.. (Have I forgotten anything?)

Ian also does a basic bare body and chassis kit for about $11.5K inc GST. It comes with the body fitted to the chassis and all the panels hung. You have to source your suspension, brakes, steering etc. This is the kit I went for. I enjoy the building and tinkering with the whole thing so this kit suited me to a T.

Have a look in my gallery and Boxheads gallery as we both started this way and haved been taking pictures all along.

Cheers

Mike,

Thats what I thought was the case, but after looking at some of the photos is yours and a few others galleries, I got the impression that you could just buy the chassis/body, and any other parts you chose.

Is there an option to purchase a complete complete turnkey car unassembled? Although already looking through some of the threads here, I know that I don't want all the parts that are supplied. What I might do is purchase the body and chassis - my only question there is if Ian will sell suspension, brakes etc seperately.

Thanks for taking the time to answer some of the first of many questions that I'm sure to be asking over the next few years!

[Tony Cram]

Jase,

Welcome to the mad house!

As suggested Harrison and Classic revival kits are very good. Both of these kits are being built in Vic at present. I might suggest if you have the time to come to the Vic Cobra Club monthly meeting held first Thursday of the month. There you will find a plethora of information and you can meet the guys who have built, busted, rebuilt and bought. The next meeting is this Thursday 4th November at the Mercat Hotel in North Melbourne opposite the Vic market at 730pm. If the weather is good you will be able to see a few cars there.

You may also want to have a look at G Force and RMC in WA. G Force have a very good kit out called the Mark II. A G Force mark II has just been completed here. They are also recently boasting a new body mould which is mirror image both sides. (You will find most moulds have differences side to side). G Force have a web site www.gforcesportscars.com.au. RMC you will have to contact to get the latest price list.

Anyway best of luck with your search.

Regards

Tony

[David Hodgson]

ledge - Jase
I may not be telling you anything new, but there are two kits going by the name of Classic. Obviously Classic Revival from Sydney which Jase refered to which is like a 3rd generation kit which has had a good deal of thought and quality applied to it and then there were Classic Glass Cars originating from Adelaide.

These cars were among the 1st generation cobra kits in australia and were fairly rudimentry in quality and finish, designed to adapt donor parts, which weren't nessesarily the best for the job, thats why you will read about a lot of the brake and suspension mods etc, although a lot of guys who have them, through skill and perseverance, have great great cars.

The newer generation like Classic Revival, Harrison, and evolving Robnell are certianly easier builds and better quality as critical parts are designed and fabricated for best results not just adapted from what may be available. I'm sure they'll also sell you any stage of dissasembly as a sale is a sale, just be prepared to pay for it.

Someone will correct me if I'm wrong, I believe the Harrison can be adapted for a multitude of engines Ford Chev Lexus, where as Classic Revival is design around initialy Holden engine then Chev.

So Jase be aware if you are powered by the dark side you may be relegated to the rear of the field on any outings you attend.

[NASSTY]

G'day Jase and welcome.

There is also RCM (as distinct from RMC) in Melbourne which the basic kit is $7200. For this you get chassis and shell with door inner and outer skins and door frames and boot and bonnet. Nothing swings. Footboxes are also separate and need to be glassed in (this helps when setting up the driver position especially if you're tall, cobras aint roomy). It's hands on but not very difficult with some welding of backets etc and glassing required.

It's the cheapest kit in Oz but it needs a little fabrication here and there but the end result is definately worth it!

It uses narrowed JAG front & rear ends - old school but parts are now cheap. The narrowed Jag ends can be done by RCM.

I cannot fault the manufacturer's customer support either.

I don't have a trade background and I have found the build so far to not be difficult, but I have learnt alot very quickly.

Hope this helps

Cheers

Al

[BMK]

Jase

Welcome..

Confused enough now....don't worry I am..

Good luck with your choice, I would endorse the comments from Tony about a meeting. Great way to catch up and meet people.

Take your time and go and check them all out...

Bernie

[PCC]

Don't forget DRB - plenty of agents Aussie wide and choice of torana or jag running gear.

Note - there is over a 3 month waiting list for a roller in QLD - Ask Tiler

Apparently DRB has won more awards than any other replica (so DRB say), although I'm yet to add to their list

Will have to stop damaging the fibreglass.

Next car - aluminium

[ledge]

My car was the first that Harrison done with the gen3 so i sent him the motor and i would say he now has jiggs available to do them so you wouldnt need to send a motor to him . He has fitted quiet a few different motors to his kits but i am sure Classic revival and any other manufacturer would be able to fit what ever motor and box combo you want you may just need to send it to them so they can fit it correctly .

Paul

[BMK]

ledge



I spent some time with Rob H. who has just taken delivery of a Harrison. Sure looks to be a very good car.

Thought the body was very good and the finish on the chassis with the brackets and fittings were very good.

I am also impressed with Aussie Mikes Classic Revival which is equaly as good. Guess it is now a hard decision, based on both price and availability/waiting lists.



I know I would find it hard to make a decision now after seeing these two. Then there are equally as many (more) good kits out there again...

Remember there is no such thing as a cheap kit. The cheaper it is the more work you have to do.

Bernie

[Ralph_C]

Hi Jase,

I have been in the process of researching Oz manufacturers for the last couple of months (since before the Nationals), and am still awaiting some info. From the above you have seen that different kits require different levels of work, but most manufacturers will do as much as you want (at an appropriate price), so you need to contact them - as Bernie said, the cheaper they are, the more work for you - and if you can, visit and chat. Most will also set up for whatever engine you want (but that means you need to know in advance). The list of vendors I compiled is as follows (I am still awaiting info from some):

QLD
Cobra Kits (Warwick Harrison) - http://www.cobrakits.com.au/
DRB (Peter Ransom) - http://www.drbsportscars.com/
De Type (Peter D'arcy-Evans) - http://www.cobrakitcars.net/

NSW
Classic Revival (Ian Denner) - http://www.classicrevival.com.au/
Homebush Fibreglass - (02) 9746 8719

VIC
Robnell - (web link is dead - there are other threads about what has happened to Robnell)
Python (George Vidovic) - http://www.python.au.com/
GTC (Superformance importers - turnkey only) - http://www.cobtech.com.au/
RCM - (03) 9887 9997

SA
Classic Glass - I have not been able to raise them

WA
G-Force (Rob Grave) - http://www.gforcesportscars.com.au/
RMC - (08) 9356 1415

You may also want to try some specialist constructors:
Cobra Craft - (02) 9584 2917
Doug Pearce Engineering - (03) 9739 4222


If I have left anyone off, I would be interested in knowing myself ..................

Good luck Jase ......

[boxhead]

Hi there Jase, I am glad to see there is another guy looking into Cobra's.

Welcome to the club and dont be afraid to ask questions, (god knows I ask plenty).

I was in your shoes about 3 years ago and looking into kits, for my $0.02 worth the better 2 kits are Classic Revival & the Harrison kits.

It really depends on what you want the car to do, if all your after is a car that looks like a Cobra then the cheapest options are the DRB useing Torana & the G Force kit useing toyota crown.

If you want a car that "should" turn into a decent handleing and driveing car then I think you really need IRS and in my opinion the Jag rear is really not as good as others. (I am gunna get shot to pieces here)

My main reason for chooseing the Classic Revival kit over the Harrison one is that the Harrison kit comes with the body bonded onto the chassis, I wanted the chassis to be seperate.

You can build the Classic Revival car by purchaseing the chassis and body, buy your own series 3 jag front (you only use the wishbones, uprights and brakes) I bought complete front for $200
(be sure to get the correct upper arms)

It uses AU falcon IRS in the rear that can be purchased new or from the wreckers (I got mine of ebay for $1000 from a XR6)

The engine choice may turn out to be the hardest part as the choices are limited by what your engineer will aprove.

I have seen Classic Revival cars with gen III, 308 injected engine & 302/347. (you could not use the 308 now as engineer will not approve)

The only other items you will have to get from Ian are the pedals and possably dash panel (you can make your own, but his are good and very reasonably priced)

All the rest of the gear is best bought new and from wherever you get the best deal.

Hope this helps with your choices and I wasnt trying to sound biased but I know I am.

P.s dont be afraid to join the dark side, our numbers are growing.

[Jase]

Well I am more informed now, but I have about 100 more questions! Time is definetly on my side though, because I am not starting this project for at least a year - and we have to build the damn garage before hand - at least thats underway, kind of. Hopefully, with this project in mind, I can at least have a say in the layout of it etc.

Curiously, how much does say an LS1 sell for?

[ledge]

Jase ,
I got mine from a wrecked vx clubsport that had done 20,000kms from a local wrecker . It was 8g complete with loom , starter etc and 6 speed box .Alot of the guys have got theres from the good old USA , Suburban imports have them for sale all the time but im not sure if it is harder to get them through rego as they dont have an aussie emmission label or eng number .
Im sure someone will let you know how it works for an imported motor

Paul

[Ralph_C]

I recieved a price list from Ian (Classic Revival last week - he will sell you a complete LS1 for $10687 ........... (last week) .....

[BMK]

Jase

Good to see that you are making some progress.

Again, I would attend a club meeting to meet with some owners and then check their Cobras out...

LS1 - Dark Side..

Seriously, not a bad option as the engineers appear to like them.
"Boxhead' or 'Aussie Mike' will chime in here with some prices..

Bernie

[Jase]

Thanks for all the help guys! Of course I have absolutely no idea what I want at the moment in terms of the mechanical side of things. I imagine that a brand spanking new fuel injected 5.7l V8 would be easier to source, maintain and fit than an original (or as close as) engine which would no doubt require a rebuild - which isn't necessarily a bad thing I know, but its something I'd rather do myself and at this point in time, I think I'd rather build a car, and then once thats done, the next project can be an engine rebuild. That was a long sentence with too many commas.

The other thing to consider with engine choice seems to be what you're allowed to put in these things. Can anyone shed some light on the.... limitations, emissions wise? I know I'm thinking too far ahead here, but I guess my chassis choice will have to influenced by the engine I'm going to be putting in.

Which reminds me of another question. Years ago someone told me that side mounted/side exit exhaust were illegal to run on a road going car? Is this true, because I've seen a few of you using such a system which is making me think that the person I listened to years ago definetly won't be helping me out anytime soon with this project!

[BMK]

Jase

At the moment it appears that the Ford Quad Cam is OK along with the LS1.

I have been talking with some engineers in Victoria recently (with some Street Rodders) and the engineers indicated that you would have no problem with either motor at that time ( three weeks ago)

No engineer will approve operational sidepipes for registration in Australia. South Australia has a registration standard on sidepipes, however engineers will not put a car up with side pipes.

The sidepipe issue/debate was discussed with the engineers and our Street Rod friends.

If you want to build a Street Rod, then McDonald Bros. Racing are right up on what is required. Obviously you want to build a Cobra so talk with the guys that are building right now here on the "Forum"

Bernie