How much would it cost?

[binggy]

How much would you guys estimimate it would cost to produce/fabricate a 427 AC Cobra frame/chassis ... including purchased accessories that make it a good replica? Like how much wold it likely cost to build from scratch a fully running and ready to enjoy cobra replica?

I'm looking at a supposedly built from scratch cobra tomorrow and I would like to compare your estimates with the price the seller will offer.

I checked out an online site (finishline.com i think) last night and accessories I would personally put totalled around $2000 without mags and tires (couldn't find prices for them)

Another site (hurricane motorsports) quoted $14,999 for a complete kit. I think it comes with everything except for the engine, mags and tires.

Thanks in advance.

[Turk]

My guess is, to do one of scratch built Cobra would cost more than the cost of one already built by one of the current replicas.

TURK

[trularin]

May I suggest you do a search on this site. You will find this topic discussed a number of times and the information is accurate...I think.

[Alex Evonosky]

From my expierence speaking with scratch builders the reason we decided to build from scratch is first, we have the knowledge, equipment, and most of all our own ideas. I do not believe we build to save money and certainly time. Probably, if I put a dollar in a jar for every hour spent in design, trial and error test, probably could have bought a KMP. LOL
Anyway, with materials, equipment, time, which all adds up, you have to build from scratch for the self satisifaction of building your own car with your own ideas. Same applies, even when building from scratch most builders use their own parts for suspension, either Heidt, Pole Pos, Winters, and such instead of just using a predesigned Corvette or stripping out a mustang and putting a cobra body on the frame. You get the idea.
I personally am building my own frame, designing my own suspension, building my own engine(less machine work of course) and when complete, if I do not like the way it races, I will correct what I think is the problem.
Sorry for the long reply but for me this is not a cheaper or not question or answer.

Thank you,

[cobrashoch]

Alex - Agreed, the ONLY reason that I see to scratch build is to do "it" your own way. Something else to think about - there's not a car that I haven't' owned (except my current Cobra) that I didn't sell, and someday it will be a memory too I guess. You HAVE too look at resale, at least in passive way anyhow. Another thing, lets say you pick a commercial kit to build,,,,, there is still many things you can do to "it" your way, either during the the build or even after the build. Just don't tell me it's cheaper. Your way could be the only way you that you can do it, but your way may not be the other way it's done.
cobrashock

[mloy]

Originally posted by Turk


My guess is, to do one of scratch built Cobra would cost more than the cost of one already built by one of the current replicas.

TURK

Factory Five, without question cheaper to build.

KMP or SAI - I'll let you know.

Turk, I'm an eBay hound. I picked up a radiator for $48 there. It is like new from an 61-62 'vette. Bought a perfectly good Galaxie T-10 (I know they are a poor transmission) for $100 at a swap meet, a blowproof for $100 from Carlisle and the list goes on and on. Now, if you factor in my labor cost, without question scratch is more.

Take care,

--Mark

[mloy]

Originally posted by cobrashoch


Alex - Agreed, the ONLY reason that I see to scratch build is to do "it" your own way. Something else to think about - there's not a car that I haven't' owned (except my current Cobra) that I didn't sell, and someday it will be a memory too I guess. You HAVE too look at resale, at least in passive way anyhow. Another thing, lets say you pick a commercial kit to build,,,,, there is still many things you can do to "it" your way, either during the the build or even after the build. Just don't tell me it's cheaper. Your way could be the only way you that you can do it, but your way may not be the other way it's done.
cobrashock

How about "pay as you go"?

--Mark

[cobrashoch]

Mark - Are you kidding? The pay as you go method is by far the most expensive way to build ANYTHING in the long run, anything! If cost is the main the factor you need to look at FF, BB, or maybe Lone Star. Chances are there is some one close by that can help, or better yet incompleted kits are out there, and somtimes they are a bargin. Cost savings in todays modern kits are not something that is generally talked about, but it is none the less true that the kit companys all work hard on making you project both good and inexpensive.


cobrashock

[mloy]

Originally posted by cobrashoch


Mark - Are you kidding? The pay as you go method is by far the most expensive way to build ANYTHING in the long run, anything! If cost is the main the factor you need to look at FF, BB, or maybe Lone Star. Chances are there is some one close by that can help, or better yet incompleted kits are out there, and somtimes they are a bargin. Cost savings in todays modern kits are not something that is generally talked about, but it is none the less true that the kit companys all work hard on making you project both good and inexpensive.


cobrashock

Dude, I was not implying that it was a cost savings method, only another reason to scratch build.

As far as your assertion that if you buy a kit that it will be cheaper: yes and no. If one buys all new parts while scratch building, yes. If one was good at scrounging, quite possibly no.

Case in point: I have an 302 small block for my Cobra. Has all the goodies, .030 over, forged pistons, balanced, hyd roller cam, aluminum heads, professionally built by Jerry Sims who now works for Bill Davis Racing. Guess what the bottom line was on it? Zero, zilch, nothing, nada. I bought a late model Mustang from a guy who needed money. I parted it out. For what I sold the parts and body for, it was more than what I bought it for. How much am I ahead right there? $5000, $6000 or more? In fact, I sold the GT-40 manifold, injectors and MAF to cover a Cobra Intake and Valve covers. I still have no $$ in it. I've purchase other reproduction Cobra parts at a fraction of what they are new as well. Some are brand new others are used but good as new.

I do not have $40K or $50K to shell out for an SAI or KMP all at once. Many do, which is great but I do not. Besides, I am not doing it this way to save money! It is a way for me to get what I want as I am not interested in a car that just looks like a Cobra.

--Mark

[alfy65]

Gentlemen,
I believe that most people will miss the point about home built anything .....car,plane ,helicopter,street rod...cobra.There is a great deal of satisfaction that comes from a concept to a finished product when done " by yourself".If money were the only factor,then certainly I could work overtime to buy what someone else produced probably cheaper than what I built it for.But I would lose that gained knowledge and sense of acomplishment for each piece that was hand crafted and assembled.To all that can afford to purchase the best and have the work done for you ..thats great , but some of us enjoy the" labor of love" and the heck with resale.I personally have lost money on every vehicle I have ever built.(Time wise).If the ability is not there to create ..by all means purchase.It does not diminish the basic idea...To have fun and enjoy the hobby ....Not a flame , just an opinion.
Al
PS.
Alex,
what is your front A arm dimension, from ball joint centerline to bushing centerline upper and lower arms?

[freeagent 427]

Alfy my body cost me 1700.00 bucks I got the body, inner and outer doors, firewall, dash, interior pan, shoebox covers, hood and trunk. The tube framing material (going Aluminum square tubing) totaled to $400.00 and that is not including the gussets and brackets or the suspention parts. I also plan on stitch welding a .190 plate accross the bottom of the main tubes (planning to provide cuttouts in the proper locations fro acces) the plate will cost ma an additional $200.00. I also plan on bulding my own control arms out of sainless steel this will cost about 100.00 the motor I have picked out will rum me 7,500.00 It will not be cheap to build your ow car but in my experiences with fiberglass you will be best off to buy the body!! I plan on runing frenched headlights using the exon lights. I also want to build an airdam up front to git a very low apearance (just realized that there are sppedbumps down the road before the main roads from here ) Also in place of the hood scoop (ended up with a flat hood) I intend to have a Crower fuel injection protruding Maybe a super charger to ). My car will be far from original.... Now all I have to do is get off my arse and get working on it !!! Have fun building your car Bro its all about You and fun!

[Dominik]

good morning,

building from scratch does not pay - moneywise.
if you have all the needed machines, and consider it your hobby and do it from 5 to 10 at night you may enjoy it, but it will be more expensive and the most important thing: time.

you may have the time now beeing still at school, or whithout family or kids or having a local job, but that may change.

a self build project can span easily over three years.
well, most people even need three years to finish a good designed kit!

I do it, because the (original) frame was not affordable to import to south-africa, and the local labour cost seemed so cheap.

now after all the digitizing and drawing things, sourcing suppliers I am in between throwing all away, finishing just one or two or 30 cars.
even if you do everything right it cannot be cheaper to do it yourself, let alone if you make mistakes

but it is a nice challenge, you can make your own changes and new friends!


dom

[freeagent 427]

Originally posted by Dominik:
even if you do everything right it cannot be cheaper to do it yourself, let alone if you make mistakes.

I really beg to differ with you. (No Pun Intended) If you know what you are doing and plan ahead of time you can save money!!! also if you are resourcefull you can save money if you have the tools already you are ahead of the game!!! if you know someone who has the tools you could rent them or somthing like that if you lived near me I am also building a car an would be delighted to have you over for a buddy system provided you didn't splash my car 100%. You just have to be resoursful and smart!!!! Dominick is rite when he says mistakes are costly and discouraging so Plan ahead do your research go look at someone elses car and ask questions. Also you need to be sure that this is what you really want to do!!!! I am currently juggling 3 projects: The cobra an offshore raceboat and a Jeep Oh make that 4 projects and a Fimily .

I could see where Dominick has it wors than you or I for He is located in Africa and Resources are far more inferior to the resources here in the USA. Hell I found a donor 1967 Mustang fastback in the fricken woods 10 miles north of my house!!!!

Just make sure That this is what you want and that you know what you are about to comit to!!

[Dominik]

hi freeagent,

I see your point. It depends how well the buddy sytem works and how you calculate your own hourly rate and the availability of machines in your neighborhood.

a 427 laser cut bracket, i.e. for the windshield will cost you about 2hours to cut on the bandsaw (and bent) - maybe only one hour, but price for a laser cut part is $4 or so.
which, of course, you have to draw first to get cut.

if you have a bandsaw. If not add the petrol and time to get there. And the beer for your friends :-)

it also depends on the parts you can buy vs. what you make. We cast and machine our own uprights, you could use Mustang or other hot-rod parts.

or control arms. We make them, driving down to get the tubing, meanwhile FEDEX knocks on your door with a $20 control arm, ready to bolt on.

this is my 666th post, I shall retire and get a new "devilish" idendity ;-)

dominik

[freeagent 427]

Dominik
Sorry to hear that you have to find a new identity. I can see your point to say it is cheaper for a company that builds car after car after car by buying material in bulk getting that discount and having a system where the process comes to full speed by routine but the thing is this only saves the maufacturer money not the client. I have been in the fabrication business for a long time have retired at age 28 so now it is only a hobby now this makes it much more enjoyable!!! I can't wait to finnish this car so I can go eat the fruggen turbos off all these damn rice burners popping up all over the place Not to mention alll the vettes I see on every other street corner of this town!!