Best Cobra kit companies

[garyjettrike]

why not be the first to import a XCS Cobra from the UK its unique space frame chassis has a very high tec suspension system known as camber compensation and anti roll. Its a system that give a constant foot print on the road with suspension movement and also gives anti roll without the use of a roll bar linking the two wheels together. The car has received very good press in the UK over the last year and is all ready considered to be one of the best Cobras so far, Have a look on there website its very informative
XCS Designs

[ender2664]

Any reviews on antique and collectible?

[cycleguy55]

Originally Posted by ender2664

Any reviews on antique and collectible?

Start reading: Antique & Collectibles - Club Cobra

[CowtownCobra]

Looks like the OP never came back for his answer

[gmonsen]

I think I'm going to buy the Era slabside and would like some advice to help me see if I can't do some or a lot of the work. I am okay with normal maintenance on more basic cars and that's about it. I'm embarrassed to say tat I have generally paid others to do work on my cars and am not experienced. I've read a number of threads and still am not sure what or how much I can do.

Has anyone here built a kit who had my lack of experience and how did it work out? ERA would need probably a full year to build one for me and yet I see that it can be done much quicker than their scheduling allows them, if I could do it.

thanks,

Gordon

[kevins2]

The most complex mechanical task I did before assembling my ERA was putting a new water pump on my old Camaro. I always did my own oil changes, but that was it. I was concerned with my lack of experience so I went with ERA's bonded body option and didn't mess with body work or paint. The car went together nicely and I consider it to be a very well-built car, in spite of my lack of experience. There is a difference between lack of experience and lack of ability. If I were you, I'd focus more on your self-assessment of your capabilities. The skills you'll need to install the drivetrain, suspension, wiring, carpeting, etc. can all be learned and end with good results if you're handy and capable. So, in my opinion, lack of experience won't prevent you from assembling a nice car but lack of ability will, and only you can answer that.

[Don]

Gordon, a friend that home built 2 ERAs, and after reviewing with ERA, decided to have ERA perform some of the build.

An item I recall was bonding the body to the chassis, although he did all the body prep and painting. A consideration would be completing the body prep and painting prior to the bonding step.

ERA might still be using Conn Custom Car in Enfield CT, 20 miles North of their facility, for the body prep and painting.

Conn Custom Car |

[gmonsen]

Thanks Kevin and Don. This gives me hope. I am willing and still have all my fingers. I'm going to go the bonded body route and do the rest. I am comfortable with the wiring and interior, and with help can do the engine and trans. I'm good then with all the little bits, I think.

I am going to see if I can find some guys near me in eastern PA that have built them and see about some help.

Gordon

[kevins2]

Gordon,

I'm in Eastern PA just west of Philly. Where in PA are you?

Kevin

[gmonsen]

Kevin, I'm on the Delaware south of Easton about 20 miles. I'm increasingly thinking of having a good deal of it or largely all of it built for me and just end up doing the little bits at the end. I'd like to have it sooner than later.

I will keep you posted and would love to meet sometime.

Gordon

[kevins2]

Hi Gordon,

You're about 1 1/2 hours from me. 113 is a nice drive up your way and it wouldn't take much for me to cruise in that direction. I'll PM my contact info to you.

Kevin

[DanEC]

I'm not sure it's true you could get an ERA kit, or partial assembly and complete it faster than ERA can deliver you a completed car. To get an unpainted car from them and do the body paint yourself, or find a body shop to do it, will probably take longer than it takes ERA to have one of their local painters do it. Once out of the paint shop it all goes together pretty quickly if you have the drive train ready to go. But again, ERA can probably do it quicker. My 2 cents anyway.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by DanEC

I'm not sure it's true you could get an ERA kit, or partial assembly and complete it faster than ERA can deliver you a completed car. To get an unpainted car from them and do the body paint yourself, or find a body shop to do it, will probably take longer than it takes ERA to have one of their local painters do it. Once out of the paint shop it all goes together pretty quickly if you have the drive train ready to go. But again, ERA can probably do it quicker. My 2 cents anyway.

At the speed with which I work on my ERA, had I chosen to build it, not only would the finished product not have been nearly as nice, but I think it would have probably taken me about a year and a half to do. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know, I've seen the video where the ERA boys build the car at Carlisle in a weekend, but for us "working class stiffs," with a typical nicely-equipped garage, but not a professional one, I think a year to a year and a half is a true time estimation. You can get one from them built to your specs in less time than that. And, it won't have any dumb mistakes that come along with it.

[DanEC]

Yeah, yeah - a year and half build. Ha ha. You're just poking fun at my 4-year build time for #782 doing my own bonding, riveting, body prep, painting, and assembly. But if I do say so it turned out wonderful. I think even Doug would be proud.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by DanEC

Yeah, yeah - a year and half build. Ha ha. You're just poking fun at my 4-year build time for #782 doing my own bonding, riveting, body prep, painting, and assembly. But if I do say so it turned out wonderful. I think even Doug would be proud.

I would never even consider doing the bonding, riveting, body prep, and painting. Never, no way, no how. If for some reason I was forced to, that would easily add two years to the build. Maybe three, possibly four. No, it would be a complete deal killer. I just wouldn't do it Sorry, no ERA for me.

[kevins2]

Dan really built his car. I only assembled mine. I wanted to do at least some of the work for the satisfaction of doing it myself. My wife was supportive, but I don't know if that would have lasted if I turned my garage into a body shop or constructed a paint booth..., so I got my car as a "half roller", meaning the rear suspension was in, body bonded and painted. I did the rest and wound up removing the gas tank and rear-end and disassembling one side of the rear to replace a faulty bearing anyway. Still, I finished the car in 12 months, almost to the day. So, I don't think you will save any time doing the work yourself - unless you're retired and can work on it a lot. You have to decide what you want to do and go for it. Best hobby ever, that's for sure.

[gmonsen]

Well, with all this discussion and spending some time with Peter at ERA, I have a plan. They'll do some form of roller and may paint it as well. I will at least do the interior and get the engine and drivetrain installed by a local shop. I'm going to supply the leather for the seats and door pockets and their guy will redo the seats and pockets.

I haven't chosen an engine builder yet, but have kind of narrowed it down to Lykins, Smeding, and Keith Craft, who hasn't sent a quote yet. Brent has been very responsive. I want a small block at 331-347ci and want to use the Eight Stack Weber-look EFI and know the guys at TWM pretty well and they're giving me a deal on that in a nice black wrinkle finish with polished air horns. I am as concerned with the quality of the parts, how it looks, and the detailing on the fit and finish as I am power. I only want about 375-400 wheel hp, so, I don't think I need to go very extreme on cams and want to keep it more refined than many of the motors I have heard used. It's meant to be the street version hopped up a bit.

That's about it. Close to doing it anyway.

And, Kevin, I live where the fun roads are. While 113 is nice, there are a lot of nice roads here. We should think bbq later this spring.

G

[kevins2]

Hi Gordon,

I'll be in touch when the weather breaks and cruise up your way.

Kevin

[1795]

Gordon and Kevin,

I am going to be in the Poconos from 4/13-416 taking a professional drivers school at the race track so that I can obtain my vintage racing license. Am planning on driving the cobra there. Let me know if you are free, it would be nice to get together for a drink or dinner on the 13th-15th. If it is possible, send me a pm and I will send you my cell phone number.

Jim

[sea2jet]

I did the 5 day course last year with Bertil Roos. The only bummer is the crash box transmission in their cars. Great school. Very well run.