Best Cobra kit companies

[elmariachi]

The OP wrote "what companies you would recommend to use to buy a kit from. I am looking to start the build in the spring." Superformance, Backdraft and Kirkham's are not kits that an owner builds, they are completed rollers.

If you want to build a car yourself from the ground up and you want an inclusive offering, Hurricane, Factory Five and several others offer turn-key kits that include everything you need less powertrain, tires, paint. Plenty of other kit builders out there depending upon your budget and preference.

Do your homework, look at cars in person and talk to owners. The points made above are valid...you can spend $5k just chasing bolts, bit-parts and fittings if the kit doesn't include them. Shortlist your contenders, talk to or visit the companies, get a bill of materials from each and build a spreadsheet for yourself from which to make a decision. You'll be less likely to be disappointed later, as MANY are after buying the wrong kit.

[Buzz]

If your budget allows for an extremely accurate high-end, aluminum-bodied Cobra recreation, check out Shelby American Shelby American Inc. and Kirkham Motorsports Kirkham Motorsports.

If you want a really nice fiberglass bodied Cobra that is accurate (read that sleek, low and well-proportioned from all angles - like the original) there are a few good companies to choose from. These companies will equip their cars with the preferred independent rear suspension (IRS) as standard equipment or at least offer it as a factory option. Most will allow you to buy anything from a basic body and frame, to a painted roller minus drivetrain to a turnkey car completed by a preferred assembler. These companies can provide you with all the parts needed to complete your project. Having no idea of your budget or priorities, here are the ones I recommend giving a looksee:

ERA Era Replica Automobiles - Makers of the 427, 289FIA, and GT40 replicas has a stellar reputation for its beautiful body, high quality and sound engineering. The cars are built to order and there is a bit of a wait from the time you place your deposit to the time you get your car. Respected as the top of the line in fiberglass replicas.

Unique Motorcars Unique Motorcars is, I believe, the oldest surviving Cobra replica manufacturer in the business. They build a beautiful, accurate and well engineered car that goes together easily and has the "right" look and stance. You can buy anything from them in packages to assemble as time and budget allow, but their "Deluxe Pallet Kit" is one of the best options in the world of Cobra replicas. I own one and I can attest to their quality and the high level of support from the manufacturer and the owners community at Unique Forums . Highly recommended.

Factory Five Racing (FFR) Factory Five Racing built a virtual empire and a huge following by providing enthusiasts with an affordable Cobra replica that could be either completed on a budget using donor parts from a late model Mustang or built more expensively as a "non-donor" car using factory parts and components. The body had some readily identifiable quirks that set them apart visually from the more "accurate" brands. The basic car has a nice round tube chassis with solid rear axle, but IRS is a factory option. The new "Mark IV" body does away with most of the quirkiness and is much more accurate in appearance.

Hurricane Hurricane Motorsports - 427 Roadsters is a recently reincarnated brand that provides a very nice looking car that seems to go together very well, particularly after benefiting from engineered-in improvements gleaned from inputs provided by customer/builders. Like FFR, the basic kit is equipped with a solid axle but IRS is a factory option.

Superformance Superformance | Home is a popular way to go if you want a car complete in every way minus engine and transmission installation. Consistent assembly-line quality and a long list of standard features is what you get for your money along with a dedicated, factory-backed owners support group.

There are others like the awesome but limited production Carbon Fiber replica by Roger Bolick that takes accuracy to an entirely different level, and there are still others with varying degrees of concession to accuracy, quality and cost. These are only my suggestions as a starting point - others will have their recommendations. Ultimately your choice will boil down to what matters most to you.

Do some searches on this site - there are enough pictures, detailed discussions and documented build threads to make your head spin. Get out there and meet your local Cobra guys and look closely at the different brands. The more information you acquire, the more you'll find yourself being steered towards your perfect Cobra. Happy hunting.

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by Buzz

If your budget allows for an extremely accurate high-end, aluminum-bodied Cobra recreation, check out Shelby American Shelby American Inc. and Kirkham Motorsports Kirkham Motorsports.

If you want a really nice fiberglass bodied Cobra that is accurate (read that sleek, low and well-proportioned from all angles - like the original) there are a few good companies to choose from. These companies will equip their cars with the preferred independent rear suspension (IRS) as standard equipment or at least offer it as a factory option. Most will allow you to buy anything from a basic body and frame, to a painted roller minus drivetrain to a turnkey car completed by a preferred assembler. These companies can provide you with all the parts needed to complete your project. Having no idea of your budget or priorities, here are the ones I recommend giving a looksee:

ERA Era Replica Automobiles - Makers of the 427, 289FIA, and GT40 replicas has a stellar reputation for its beautiful body, high quality and sound engineering. The cars are built to order and there is a bit of a wait from the time you place your deposit to the time you get your car. Respected as the top of the line in fiberglass replicas.

Unique Motorcars Unique Motorcars is, I believe, the oldest surviving Cobra replica manufacturer in the business. They build a beautiful, accurate and well engineered car that goes together easily and has the "right" look and stance. You can buy anything from them in packages to assemble as time and budget allow, but their "Deluxe Pallet Kit" is one of the best options in the world of Cobra replicas. I own one and I can attest to their quality and the high level of support from the manufacturer and the owners community at Unique Forums . Highly recommended.

Factory Five Racing (FFR) Factory Five Racing built a virtual empire and a huge following by providing enthusiasts with an affordable Cobra replica that could be either completed on a budget using donor parts from a late model Mustang or built more expensively as a "non-donor" car using factory parts and components. The body had some readily identifiable quirks that set them apart visually from the more "accurate" brands. The basic car has a nice round tube chassis with solid rear axle, but IRS is a factory option. The new "Mark IV" body does away with most of the quirkiness and is much more accurate in appearance.

Hurricane Hurricane Motorsports - 427 Roadsters is a recently reincarnated brand that provides a very nice looking car that seems to go together very well, particularly after benefiting from engineered-in improvements gleaned from inputs provided by customer/builders. Like FFR, the basic kit is equipped with a solid axle but IRS is a factory option.

Superformance Superformance | Home is a popular way to go if you want a car complete in every way minus engine and transmission installation. Consistent assembly-line quality and a long list of standard features is what you get for your money along with a dedicated, factory-backed owners support group.

There are others like the awesome but limited production Carbon Fiber replica by Roger Bolick that takes accuracy to an entirely different level, and there are still others with varying degrees of concession to accuracy, quality and cost. These are only my suggestions as a starting point - others will have their recommendations. Ultimately your choice will boil down to what matters most to you.

Do some searches on this site - there are enough pictures, detailed discussions and documented build threads to make your head spin. Get out there and meet your local Cobra guys and look closely at the different brands. The more information you acquire, the more you'll find yourself being steered towards your perfect Cobra. Happy hunting.

In your first sentence you mention Shelby American and Kirkham for aluminum rollers (they are not kits and I don't think most people (short of experienced aircraft builders) would do well to try to assemble an aluminum car in their shop.

But at the end you mention Superformance for fiberglass rollers, but neglected to mention Shelby American. When you finish either car similarly they will be within 10% of each other (yes, the CSX will usually be higher) but I've seen a fair number of SPF cars that topped out Shelby. It all depends on options but more so on power train. This will clearly no longer apply when/if Shelby re-opens their order bank with a $25K price increase.

If I were doing another I would lean towards an ERA 289 FIA car although I might get over the hail stigma and go with an aluminum from Kirkham [I'd still paint it]... That is primarily because I think the 427 cars are over done power wise and in my case I had all this "go power" that was under- or un-utilized. I'd rather take a 289 to its max capacity than a 427 to 1/2 or 2/3. I also like the usability of the new Daytona Coupes.

[Buzz]

I have no idea how much the OP knows about the current replica market offerings so I threw in a passing mention of the the aluminum cars for a comparative reference. I also have no idea what level of assembly/fabrication the OP is interested in - whether he wants to drop an engine and trans into a roller or to build a car from the frame and body on up.

I never intended my post to be the complete guide to Cobra replicas, and I did state clearly that these are just my opinions as a starting point which others will hopefully add to. The intent here is to help the new member without feeling the need to nitpick other people's posts.

[Don]

All good suggestions.......comes back to the total amount of money budgeted for the complete finished car including drivetrain, then adding 10/20%+ , as many have experienced for the unknowns, changes, etc

Did not check back in the replies, another consideration is meeting the State regulations on kit cars for inspection, registration and emissions, i.e. no surprises.