What's so good about Hurricane Cobras?

[DrivinWest]

Originally Posted by jshel1

Chassis picts? Ones of the new frame mods should be forthwith from Hurricane soon.

I'm looking forward to it. Thanks!

Originally Posted by Gregg(What's his name)?

Why dont you meet up with us Austin bunch this Saturday...

I'd love to meet you on Saturday but I'm in Houston this weekend visiting my fiance. That said, I'll be meeting with a few guys from the Houston Cobra Club tomorrow. I'll definitely come out to meet you guys in Austin another time.

Originally Posted by rustyBob

Most all of the "not so great"replica companys have fallen by the wayside..........

That's a fact. Even good ones seems to have gone under. I got the Cobra bug back in the mid-80s when my dad brought me to the Contemporary Classics factory in Mamaroneck, NY (I grew up down the street in White Plains). It seems that Contemporary Classics built some great Cobras back then before going under.

Originally Posted by Bill Bess

OK here we go again...Who's cobra is the best?...

No we don't! I know there is no "best", I'm just trying to figure out what people like about Hurricanes.

1) I want to either:
Buy a used cobra
Buy a roller

2) Authenticity
Wheelbase must be 90"
I do love the FFR "perky butt" even if it isn't authentic. That said, on a scale from 0 to 10, my want for authenticity is a 7

3) How much money do I want to spend?
$35K to $45K

4) Frame and chassis design
Birdcage or tub is preferred over ladder

5) Components used in vehicle
Good ones!

6) Engine / trans /rearend / IR. / brakes - driveline.
Probably a small block, preferably a stroked one.

7) Completeness of kit.
Turnkey-minus or used. Wipers, yes. Heat, no.

8) Build ease and Company support / web support
Support matters. I don't like doing business with people who don't have their heart in their work.

9) Which cobra "Yanks my crank",......which one do I favor based on this objective approach.
SPF, Hurricane, newer well-built FFRs, ERAs

10) Set a numerical point value for each of your criteria (1 -10)…
You and I sound pretty similar!

Thanks again to all!

[elmariachi]

Originally Posted by DrivinWest

I'd love to meet you on Saturday but I'm in Houston this weekend visiting my fiance. That said, I'll be meeting with a few guys from the Houston Cobra Club tomorrow. I'll definitely come out to meet you guys in Austin another time.

I will miss the HCC lunch but my Hurricane (#6) is in Cypress (NW towards Austin just off of 290) and available for viewing Saturday. I have it up on a shop lift preparing to put new oil pan gaskets on it but we can crawl around and under it. If you want to arrange to see it, shoot me an email through the user console.

Jim

p.s. This one's for sale ready for your engine, turn-key minus.

[DrivinWest]

Jim, that's a gorgeous car! As tempted as I am, I bet the 427 side oiler prices it out of my budget though you're welcome to prove me wrong

I may be in touch soon regarding simply taking a look at the Hurricane and getting a feel for the make. From what I heard from the HCC guys today, they really are nice.

Thanks again,
Aaron

[PaulProe]

Aaron
When you rank authenticity at a 7, be prepared for it to increase. When you get into this hobby, it is rare that you settle for 2nd best and all of a sudden, 7 becomes 8 becomes 9 becomes . . .

The Hurricane kit affords you the opportunity to pursue this to the level you want. The kit can be built for a reasonable amount yet you can get $tupid and pursue correctness as far a$ you wi$h. A$k me how I know.

I have pursued period correctness just about as far as you can get with my car. An example is the FE fuel filter. They typically go for $300. Way out of my league for a little tin can. But when I found one for $40, I took off the $25 filter and replaced it. Similar story with the Lucas horns under the hood.

You can't go wrong with a Hurricane kit

Paul

[dlampe]

I have been having internet issues and I wanted to chime in here yesterday but couldn't. Anyway....

I bought the first Hurricane from Lees Summit Hurricane and I bought the first
Hurricane from Iowa Hurricane. I have had some very original cars and some not so original cars. That is what is most important to me, originality. Second is value for the dollar. I would have another Kirkham but I think this is a better value for me right now.

When it comes to originality, I look at four things. The engine compartment, the interior, the body shape and the frame. Relative to other kits in this range the engine compartment is a 10, the interior is an 8-9, the body is a 10. The frame, well, it is a 2 on originality but stronger than original. Sort of like the 6 pot Willwood front brakes and the dual adjustable coil overs, a 1 on originality but better! From an enginerd stand point the box steel ladder/birdcage frame used by Hurricane and to some extent, ERA is torsionally more rigid.

I have seen the new frame and have seen the PDF but I am waiting for them to make a few more changes to the PDF before it is posted here. They have a picture on their website that is probably the second to last version of the frame.

In a nut shell, I have built/owned cobras from entry level to Kirkham and the Hurricane is a real contender.

[DrivinWest]

Originally Posted by dlampe

When it comes to originality, I look at four things. The engine compartment, the interior, the body shape and the frame. Relative to other kits in this range the engine compartment is a 10, the interior is an 8-9, the body is a 10. The frame, well, it is a 2 on originality but stronger than original. Sort of like the 6 pot Willwood front brakes and the dual adjustable coil overs, a 1 on originality but better! From an enginerd stand point the box steel ladder/birdcage frame used by Hurricane and to some extent, ERA is torsionally more rigid.

I think I'm in the same boat. If it's outwardly visible, I want it to look pretty close. That said, I'd sacrifice some originality in the engine for the arguably better handling of a small block. Alas, a 427W does have that magic number... silly, but appealing as a result.

Originally Posted by dlampe

I have seen the new frame and have seen the PDF but I am waiting for them to make a few more changes to the PDF before it is posted here. They have a picture on their website that is probably the second to last version of the frame.

In a nut shell, I have built/owned cobras from entry level to Kirkham and the Hurricane is a real contender.

All great to hear. I'm happy to hear it's got a ladder/birdcage chassis. Many thanks for the info!

[dlampe]

http://www.hurricane-motorsports.com...arts/frame.asp

This is a link to the frame page of the web site. The "birdcage" peices are missing from the interactive file but some are represented in the last picture on the bottom of the page.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by DrivinWest

Alas, a 427W does have that magic number... silly, but appealing as a result.

Don't kid yourself -- just because the displacement adds up to 427 on the inside does not make it a 427 -- except to Helen Keller, maybe. It doesn't look the same, and it doesn't sound the same. Yes you can get astounding performance out of a small block, but if it's authenticity you crave, a small block in a 427 car just ain't it.

[DrivinWest]

Originally Posted by PaulProe

Aaron
When you rank authenticity at a 7, be prepared for it to increase. When you get into this hobby, it is rare that you settle for 2nd best and all of a sudden, 7 becomes 8 becomes 9 becomes . . .

That sounds like me. As I plan on a used or turnkey-minus Cobra, the ability to tinker and add to and tweak ad nauseum is rather appealing.

[elmariachi]

Originally Posted by DrivinWest

Jim, that's a gorgeous car! As tempted as I am, I bet the 427 side oiler prices it out of my budget though you're welcome to prove me wrong Aaron

Thanks Aaron, but look again, I am NOT selling the side oiler with it. . It is available turn-key MINUS, ready for whatever engine you want to put in it (hopefully an FE).

Hit me offline if you wish to discuss.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by elmariachi

Thanks Aaron, but look again, I am NOT selling the side oiler with it. . It is available turn-key MINUS, ready for whatever engine you want to put in it (hopefully an FE).

... and what's going to replace it?

[elmariachi]

Originally Posted by patrickt

... and what's going to replace it?

Another Hurricane. I want to make color change. If I paint this car I will have way too much into it. I can sell it TK-minus for far less than a new one, which benefits the buyer. I have the resources and space to build a new one, paint it like I want and everyone winds up far better off monetarily.

[Dwight]

DrivinWest

If you will come to Florence, Alabama I can get you a ride in a Hurricane.
All day if you want.

Mike Lane has one. With a heater and hard top.

Dwight

bad picture of Mike but a good one of the Hurricane. Doc is inside taking a picture of me.