Referred to Hurricane by a friend

[120mm]

I just got turned on to building a Hurricane. I am a proud Iowan and didn't even know we had a Cobra kit manufacturer in the state, much less in Lake City.

I'm originally a Newell kid, btw.

I'm currently living in Germany, where I work, and the plan was to build a Cobra starting a year from now, once I get back to Iowa.

Since I've discovered Hurricane like 2 hours ago, I notice that the Hurricane replicas actually look like vintage Cobras and not some huge fender flared, bulbous fendered silicone drenched mockery that too many kits make of the original design.

Plus, the prices look good, for what they say is in the kit.

I really hope to buy a kit when I get home. Gotta break the piggy banks and sell some stuff, first, though.

[Cashburn]

[DanEC]

Originally Posted by 120mm

Since I've discovered Hurricane like 2 hours ago, I notice that the Hurricane replicas actually look like vintage Cobras and not some huge fender flared, bulbous fendered silicone drenched mockery that too many kits make of the original design.

Welcome to the forum and the madness. Unfortunately, you just potentially gored the goat of the majority of members on the forum with this characterization. The Cobra replica community fills many needs from those seeking to clone the original in spirit and detail, to those who want a powerful track car, to those who are fulfilling a street rod itch based on one of the most popular cars of all time - and everything in between. In building one of these replica cars, you will probably need some input from all of them and not just Hurricane owners which are a relatively small community in our city.

The Hurricane is a nice kit. It was my leading choice until they fell on some hard times about 8 years ago and while they were in the process of changing hands, relocating and re-building I was ready to make the jump so I had to change direction. But I think you will be pleased with it - post some progress photos when you get started.

[jhv48]

He's baaaaaaaaaack!

[dlampe]

His post is in the Hurricane forum not in the all talk sections. I understand what he is saying. That's why I wanted a Hurricane too.

Good luck on your build.

[120mm]

Originally Posted by DanEC

Welcome to the forum and the madness. Unfortunately, you just potentially gored the goat of the majority of members on the forum with this characterization. The Cobra replica community fills many needs from those seeking to clone the original in spirit and detail, to those who want a powerful track car, to those who are fulfilling a street rod itch based on one of the most popular cars of all time - and everything in between. In building one of these replica cars, you will probably need some input from all of them and not just Hurricane owners which are a relatively small community in our city.

Meh. I guess they could ban me if they don't like such representations.

I COULD have said I don't qualify for Cobra ownership, since I'm not old as dirt, have a big gut, don't wear hawaiian shirts, flip flops or those gay looking poker visors like every single cobra replica owner I've personally seen.

Frankly, I don't GAS what stereotypical "owners" think. I'm more interested in the outliers, anyway.

[LMH]

Originally Posted by 120mm

Meh. I guess they could ban me if they don't like such representations.

I COULD have said I don't qualify for Cobra ownership, since I'm not old as dirt, have a big gut, don't wear hawaiian shirts, flip flops or those gay looking poker visors like every single cobra replica owner I've personally seen.

Frankly, I don't GAS what stereotypical "owners" think. I'm more interested in the outliers, anyway.

That sounds more like the Corvette crowd.
Larry

[jhv48]

Originally Posted by 120mm

Meh. I guess they could ban me if they don't like such representations.

I COULD have said I don't qualify for Cobra ownership, since I'm not old as dirt, have a big gut, don't wear hawaiian shirts, flip flops or those gay looking poker visors like every single cobra replica owner I've personally seen.

Frankly, I don't GAS what stereotypical "owners" think. I'm more interested in the outliers, anyway.

Hey, I resemble that remark! And not all of us wear flip flops!

Does Evan have a son?

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by jhv48

Hey, I resemble that remark! And not all of us wear flip flops!

Does Evan have a son?

Why insult Evan like that? I'd say he's the "spittin' image" of NYG.

I love being stereotyped. Now I could go into a long dissertation and praise CrossFit and ask the OP how many Muscleups and Handstand Push-ups he can do, or what's his best "Fran" time, but I won't bore you guys (and gals) again.

Do Kirkhams make a mockery of the original? Notwithstanding, I love my mockery of a Cobra.

And what's wrong with flip flops? It's CA for heaven's sake.

[LMH]

You won't go wrong with a Hurricane. High quality kit for sure. Some Cobra replica bodies are molded from original cars and some are not. Hurricane bodies were molded from CSX3235 and that's what gives it it's "vintage" look.
Larry

[moore_rb]

Originally Posted by LMH

You won't go wrong with a Hurricane. High quality kit for sure. Some Cobra replica bodies are molded from original cars and some are not. Hurricane bodies were molded from CSX3235 and that's what gives it it's "vintage" look.
Larry

All of the above, plus the fact that you live in Iowa, would make Hurricane a slam-dunk choice, if I were in your shoes...

I can't think of a single, solid technical reason why you would be better off paying transportation on another company's kit - The cash you'll save on shipping will pay for half of your paint job, or maybe your wheels and tires...

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by moore_rb

All of the above, plus the fact that you live in Iowa, would make Hurricane a slam-dunk choice, if I were in your shoes...

I can't think of a single, solid technical reason why you would be better off paying transportation on another company's kit - The cash you'll save on shipping will pay for half of your paint job, or maybe your wheels and tires...

If we're talking about technical reasons, then Patrick would argue that the ERA comes with an extensive factory assembly manual. Aluminum? Then Kirkham/CSX.

BTW, I've transported several cars over the past years, and transportation cost from coast-to-coast is about $1,000-$1,500. That may buy you the blue and white paint, but that's about it. However, having the factory that makes your Cobra replica nearby is a significant advantage. No doubt. I wish Kirkham wasn't in UT. I'd be visiting them all the time, if they were closer.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

If we're talking about technical reasons, then Patrick would argue that the ERA comes with an extensive factory assembly manual. Aluminum? Then Kirkham/CSX.

Yep, and Patrick would be right. The ERA blows them all away in that regard....

[moore_rb]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

I've transported several cars over the past years, and transportation cost from coast-to-coast is about $1,000-$1,500.

In late September, 2016, The best quote I could get to move a "starting and driving" car from St Louis to Phoenix, in a fully enclosed hauler, was $1800 ...

The next time I need a car transported, I'm going to be calling on you to book my waybill for me, hahaha

Every shipper asked me: "is it a kit car?" and "does it have an engine?" - They all wanted to jack the transport rate up another 500-600 bucks if the car was a non-running roller.

My best quote to get a bare fiberglass Mr Bruce body from Pittsburgh to Phoenix was $1200

Fair points about the aluminum body...

Is it worth it to pay the extra shipping on an ERA kit, versus a Hurricane or a Unique? To an ERA owner, I guess it could be... but not to me...

to each, his own. There really are no right or wrong answers to any of this - Everybody makes their final decision based on the criteria that are most important to them...

I wouldn't need ERA's detailed assembly bible to put one of these cars together, so the extra shipping expense from CT would influence my personal decision more heavily than the value of the assembly manual.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by moore_rb

In late September, 2016, The best quote I could get to move a "starting and driving" car from St Louis to Phoenix, in a fully enclosed hauler, was $1800 ...

The next time I need a car transported, I'm going to be calling on you to book my waybill for me, hahaha

Every shipper asked me: "is it a kit car?" and "does it have an engine?" - They all wanted to jack the transport rate up another 500-600 bucks if the car was a non-running roller.

My best quote to get a bare fiberglass Mr Bruce body from Pittsburgh to Phoenix was $1200

Fair points about the aluminum body...

Is it worth it to pay the extra shipping on an ERA kit, versus a Hurricane or a Unique? To an ERA owner, I guess it could be... but not to me...

to each, his own. There really are no right or wrong answers to any of this - Everybody makes their final decision based on the criteria that are most important to them...

I wouldn't need ERA's detailed assembly bible to put one of these cars together, so the extra shipping expense from CT would influence my personal decision more heavily than the value of the assembly manual.

I've used this broker at least 3 times in the past few years. I haven't had a problem yet and they book enclosed or open. I've done both.

Angels Moving Autos

I know my engine-less Kirkham was less than a $1,000 from UT to CA, but that was back in 2007-2008. That company went out of business, but was an advertiser here.

Patrick LOVES his ERA assembly manual. He opines about it all the time. He won't leave home without it.

[Thor maine]

A Question? Did the Hurricane Cobra start out as Integrity Coach Works Cobra? Or a derivative of it?

[elmariachi]

Originally Posted by Thor maine

A Question? Did the Hurricane Cobra start out as Integrity Coach Works Cobra? Or a derivative of it?

No, it was called Component Craft and started by Jerry Connelly in Dallas. The molds were pulled from an original car as stated above. There is a TON of history here that I helped research when I owned my Hurricane but I won't go into all of it here. Jerry built and delivered quite a few cars and kits before moving on. The tools and molds were sold to a couple of guys who created Hurricane and sold 100+ cars, of which I owned the 6th they produced. Later the tools and molds fell into the hands of some banditos briefly but they never finished a single car. Then the current owners in Iowa bought it, overhauled the molds and jigs and the rest is history. Its an awesome product for the price and very authentic.

Here is one of Jerry's cars in the 1997 Neiman Marcus catalogue.

[elmariachi]

Here was #6 back at the 2011 (I think) Texas Cobra meet:

[Thor maine]

Hurricane is not what happened to Integrity Coach Werks, that became Hunter Cobra. You can find anything on the internet.

[aarvig]

I'll vouch for Hurricane. I recently made the trip to Lake City, IA and met Mike, John, Jason and Monty. They showed me the Hurricane shop, jigs, molds and of course the car and they also let me drive. I will say (in my opinion) that the Hurricane is a very complete, very high quality kit that is solid, roomy, authentic, fast AND loud. I have never seen such a smooth fiberglass body. It's straight, non-wavy, and the mold-lines are in inconspicuous places which makes body work a breeze. Also, the doors line up easily. A huge plus. The customer service has been fabulous to date. I will say that Mike, who owns and operates Scranton MFG (Garbage truck manufacturing) is 100% behind the company. Scranton is a very successful manufacturing company which has multiple business lines from garbage trucks to portable veterinarian clinics for F-250's and they also happen to own Hurricane. I think they are definitely worth looking at if you are in the market for a Cobra replica.