Hello from Long Beach, CA
 

Hello from Long Beach, CA.

New member to the forum.... starting research on Cobra 427s.... build or buy? leaning towards build... but so many kit options. FFR MKIV looks good, but just starting to look, so more to come on that.

when looking at buying options... range from 50k to 250k!!! why such a large price range?!?!


I really enjoy building. first car was a 66 Mustang back when i was teen and restored that with my dad. Many upgrades on a 2003 350Z when it first came one. Just finished (but never really finished) with a R56 Mini Cooper JCW - mostly suspension work done here.

003:

Cobras are like airplanes: you can spend as much as you have and still be looking for more. You are starting into the fun part.

Can't help you with build information. I bought a Backdraft almost 17 years ago and have been working on it ever since....

Factory Five is the outfit that really got things rolling in the DIY part of the biz, and are good guys to boot.


Alistair Miller at Millerspeed in Redondo Beach was a Backdraft distributor but has gone mostly into repair nowadays, could be a great source of info.

Good luck!

Good luck I would say if you got the time money and most of all talent go for it. If you are older wiser and have respect and knowledge for what it takes to build and paint a show car then I would say buy one . you will spend twice as much as you think trying to build a proper one. backdraft superformance and era would be my choices All for different reasons and in that exact order.FYI I spent two years looking hard before I purchased my backdraft. Hope this helps.

I would add Unique Motorcars to the list. I have had an ERA and presently have a Unique.
Both excellent manufacturers, both excellent folks to deal with.

There are some differences between makes, mechanically and body shape. Make sure to attend meets where you can see some different makes to compare. There should be plenty of fun opportunities around Long Beach!

Indeed!!
 

A hearty second on Unique Motorcars! Become adopted by the fam!

Decide how much you want to spend then add 15% for the oh yeah I should of stuff. Buy and build to your budget.

Ed

There are lots of considerations in what you want.

1. Do not build a Cobra because you think you'll save money.

2. Building one takes a long time. More kits are abandoned than finished. If you are doing it because you love fabrication that's a different story; if you think you can build to get a cobra cheap please buy one.

3. It comes down to do you want to spend a whole lot more money thinking you'll get a car and having it take 5 years in the garage or shop, having to buy tools you'll use only once and probably even a lift, or do you want to take that money, just buy one and enjoy driving it for the 5 years and then decide if the one you got is right for you and get a different one.

4. If indeed you're in it for the love of fabrication, but you've never done it before, there are lots of other "kits" that are cheaper and simpler than a Cobra for a first time builder. This increases your chances of less stressful progress and successful completion. Try one of those and then if you still like doing it get the Cobra.

Please read the forum topics and history and use search for the stories about incompleted cars that are bought for pennies on the dollar and then people have to spend tons of money locating or making parts that are no longer made.

But like I said, you'll buy a finished car for what you'll have in a kit and get to use it for years before your kit would be complet.