Ready to build a cobra. Which kit?

[boomerangj]

CobraDream-

First your my hero! I'm trying to get to your status with the shop, tools, etc. so I can get my kit. The economy has really slowed me down-However it hasn't prevented me from doing my "preliminary" research.

You will find out shortly, via this forum, and other resources that there are a lot of choices available, a lot. I believe there may be over a 100 manufacturers of kits.

There are also books on the topic that you can hunt down at Barnes and Noble. In short if you do any research at all the first stage will have your head spinning.

I would advise you to, in parallel, with your research start establishing what you learn and hot it resonates with your "use model" for the car.

Fro example, in my case, originality is not at all important. I want to build a nice driver car that I can tour or track with. I'm 6'2" so comfort is an issue.

My wife will not go if there is a chance to burn her legs. I like aluminum, fuel injection for the engine so will probably go chevy powered LSX of some sort. (I'm also biased to chevy power). I don't care about re-sale and I admit going with Chevy will limit resale value and available market to sell in.

In summary decide what your vehicle use will be and then start making the list of what "sub-assemblies" you want. For example:
-Original looking 289FIA or 427 body style. (If you like the look of the 289 that will reduce the number of kits dramatically)
-Frame style: original 4" tube based style or "other"
-engine (ford, chevy, big block, small block, fuel injected, single carb, dual carb, Weber's, etc.
-interior.
-independent or solid axle rear suspension.

Then to break it down further look at the suspension components, brake components, cooling, trim quality, fit and finish.

As you develop your criteria you can start developing your budget and make trade-offs for your intended use to find that "happy point" for your project.

You can get a kit together for in the mid to high twenties with kit/donor car type of approach or easily all the way up into 6 figures.

Once you narrow down your focus you can use this forum and it's membership as a great source of information.

Good luck! I've been at this for a while, am not done but my current thinking is a Lone Star with Chevy power and possibly graft on an independent rear suspension. Modern seats and side exhaust and undercar exhaust (mild to wild) switchable. I will also look at hurricane, E-M, and possibly a few others before I pull the trigger.

Good luck-it will be fun! One other thing go check out your local club. I checked out my local club and found lots of willing help.