Looking to start

[Michael4yah]

Jason, I think the 1st thing most people should do is decide whether or not originality Is important to them. Then how important comfort it will be , followed by how fast they want to go. Each of these things plays a part in deciding WHICH cobra kit to buy. Money is always going to play a big part in this but KNOWING what you really really want from the begining is even more important. Set a budget. Its a process that will take time. Since Ive owned my Cobras Ive found that my interest while building them has subsided for a while then built up again. Keep at it.

1) if your the kind of person that craves reliving the exact same feeling of driving an original Cobra then nothing less than a true replica will do. Go for a Alum bodied 90 inch that is as close as you can to original. $ plays an important part here. Your going to spend alot getting it done (less with fiberglass) and thats with a great eye at scounging parts and doing most of your own work. But even if it takes you longer to get it finished the 1st time you fire it up you will know the extra time was worth it.

2) If your 6'5 and weigh 250 forget originality. Youl regret the day you decided on a 90" wheelbase Cobra. It would be an enormous chore just to get in and out of it, and in the end youd look more like you were wearing the car instead of driving it. There are lots of good Cobras out there that have longer wheelbases and dropped floors. If your going for comfort Id look at West Coast, and Everette Morrison is another. Original type cars would be Kirkham, Shelby, Superformance and ERA ( I think) and there are a whole slew of Cobra's in between.

3) Fast. Or how fast should be the point. All Cobras are fast. Some are "hair on fire" fast and some are bullet velocity fast. And some like the slab sided 289s are quick and more nimble. Its all about the drive train you put in them and how you set them up. Just remember your going to have to stop that thing so match the brakes and suspension to the engine.

4) Safety, Cobras dont have much in the way of safety features. Some companies have gone to great measures to strengthen the doors. The Butler design of having a steel beam in the door with welded hinges was probably the safest Ive ever seen. That company has changed hands and Im not sure who builds that car. One safety feature that could be in any Cobra is a Fuel Safe. Cobras run hot, hot side pipes, engine bays etc. Getting rear ended with a normal gas tank might turn the whole car into a Moletov Cocktail so Id definately use a Fuel safe WITH A BLADDER.

5) And one final suggestion. Theres a lot of people in the world and they all have opinions. This is your car. Build it the way you want it. Ask plenty of questions, especially about safety related subjects but rely on your own tastes. Listen to others, copy the good ideas, reject the bad ones, but build what you like. In the end you are the only one that you have to impress.

Good Luck, Welcome aboard, Your among friends here. There is a wealth of knowledge on this website. Your never alone. Someone has always been able to help me out or steer me in the right direction. Your lucky in one respect, you live in a state where there are alot of Cobras and several good Kit companies. Damn the torpedoes, Full Speed Ahead!
Michael