New member needs advice on purchasing a Cobra Kit

[bly123]

Hi I'm a new member and am looking to buy a Cobra kit. I'm a bigger guy and need a larger kit. I was looking at Lone Star classics and West Coast Cobra kits. I have spoke to Lone Star but havent been able to reach anyone at West coast. They never answer there phone and have not sent any info I requested both through Voice mail and email. Are they still in buiseness?

Can anyone give me advice? Are there other kits out ther that have a 94" or 96" Wheel base?

[bobcowan]

Longerwheel base does not always = more leg room. Classic Roadsters has a longer wheel base and a longer door. But, I found it more difficult to get in and out of than the FFR.

Also, the other issue is windshield height. If you have long legs, it not an issue. If you have along trunk, then it is an issue. You don't want the top of the windshield right at eye height.

Wha you should do is try to find cars in your area and sit in them to see how you fit.

[mrmustang]

A little self serving (I am helping a friend sell his car), check out the aluminum Autocraft MK IV in the for-sale section, I believe it has an extended wheelbase that would fit your needs.


Bill S.

[rodneym]

Originally Posted by mrmustang

.... Autocraft MK IV.... I believe it has an extended wheelbase that would fit your needs. Bill S.

I don't believe so. I'm pretty sure it's 90" as well but the interior is definitely roomier. The seats recline very far back and shouldn't be an issue for someone well over 6ft.
Of course the steering wheel height is another issue. Pretty sure that why they're a 14" diameter vs 15 or 16..
Nonethless, AC Autokrafts are roomier and very nice cars.

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by rodneym

I don't believe so. I'm pretty sure it's 90" as well but the interior is definitely roomier. The seats recline very far back and shouldn't be an issue for someone well over 6ft.
Of course the steering wheel height is another issue. Pretty sure that why they're a 14" diameter vs 15 or 16..
Nonethless, AC Autokrafts are roomier and very nice cars.

Take a look at the description of the car and you'll see it's got a larger passenger compartment than the originals.


Bill S.

[rodneym]

Originally Posted by mrmustang

Take a look at the description of the car and you'll see it's got a larger passenger compartment than the originals.

Bill S.

Unless the AK you mentioned is special, the standard wheelbase for AK MkIV's is 90", as was mine. I've sold it now but I remember seeing 90" in the owners manual, as well as the wheelbase lining up along side my Kirkham, and fitting on my ramps without any adjustment.
The AK's certainly look longer without the sidepipes, the cut down doors and extended nose. But I'm pretty sure the extended cockpit was simply some clever moving around of the gas tank (full sized front spare, for example), as well as other adjustments.
Again, maybe the AK you're selling is special.
At any rate, we can all agree that extended wheelbases do not necessarily mean more legroom, and in the Autokraft's case, the standard wheelbase can mean more legroom.

[FWB]

Originally Posted by bly123

Hi I'm a new member and am looking to buy a Cobra kit. I'm a bigger guy and need a larger kit. I was looking at Lone Star classics and West Coast Cobra kits. I have spoke to Lone Star but havent been able to reach anyone at West coast. They never answer there phone and have not sent any info I requested both through Voice mail and email. Are they still in buiseness?

Can anyone give me advice? Are there other kits out ther that have a 94" or 96" Wheel base?

yep....they don't answer the phone.....personally i would lean toward the west coast if i was a bigger guy. where the lines and size of the car isn't true to cobra, they are a very comfortable car to drive. but i would not even for one second try to buy a new kit from west coast. you will go crazy doing business with him. from no return phone calls to missing stuff.
however, there are so many fantastic used west coast's out there i would be looking at if i were you. cobra country is a good web site for used cobra's.
i have a kellison which is the same body as the west coast. i'm 5' 7" and it fits me just right, i feel cramped in other cobra's.

fred

[cscobra]

What bobcowan said about wheelbase is correct. Check ERA in New Britain, CT--they have longer footboxes than most and have been able to fit many large-sized people effectively (their pedals hinge at the floor and can be adjusted for length during the build, too).

[Bwana Snake]

I’m 6’3” about 265 pounds, as of today, and built and drive a LoneStar Classic and very happy with the car, legroom and ease of entry. I have ridden in ERA’s, Superformacne, Backdraft s and Hurricanes and none have the room of the LoneStar. I went with the flatter seats, raked back about 30 degrees, and tilt steering wheel in my car and have more than enough room for my size.

You can see a pictorial history of my build and several videos of me in and driving the LoneStar at www.bwanasnake.com.

[YerDugliness]

IIRC, Pacific Coast Cobras have a 95" wheelbase.

I think Pacific Coast Cobra went out of business sometime in the early 1990's.

Pacific Roadsters is a current company (to the best of my knowledge)....I'm not sure if they offer an extended wheelbase.

Here's a link:

Home · Pacific Roadster

We get a lot of this very question here.....try a forum search, you might find the answers for which you are looking.

Cheers from Dugly

[SunDude]

Originally Posted by bly123

...I have spoke to Lone Star but haven't been able to reach anyone at West Coast. They never answer there phone and have not sent any info I requested both through voice mail and email...

And what does this tell you about West Coast Cobra as a vendor...?


I agree with the others who suggest you try to look at ...and sit in ...as many different Cobra replicas as possible to see which one suits you best. Ask about how the manufacturer treated them and supported their build. Ask what problems they experienced and how easy was it to resolve them.

But if your heart is set on the Stallion-style body, you could probably buy one resale -- like this nice one on Cobra Country -- and alter/customize to your tastes for much less.

[FWB]

as a note.....longer wheelbase doesn't mean more interior room or leg room.

[mreid]

Originally Posted by bly123

Hi I'm a new member and am looking to buy a Cobra kit. I'm a bigger guy and need a larger kit.

Describe what you mean by a bigger guy? I know many "larger guys" who have made normal wheelbase kits like FFR, ERA, and Kirkham fit just fine. Provide your particulars and we will go from there. For example, I'm 6'4" and 225. I modified my FFR coupe and now Kirkham cobra to fit me just fine.

[Prof]

Go with a Lone Star. You won't regret it. Most here have talked about length of the footboxes, but my issue is the door…side to side driver's position. I have linebacker's shoulders; Lone Star is only one I can sit in comfortably for several hours without the silly "redneck" arm-on-the-door position. Also, at open-track events there are arm restraints to keep your stupid elbows INSIDE the car (where they belong). Consider a Lone Star.
Paul
Dallas

[PDUB]

Check out these threads and click the embedded links for photos.

Unique Cobra For Sale (NOTE: This is NOT a car for sale!)

I'm to Big any advice

Good luck!
__________________

[bly123]

Wow! you guys really do have the answers! Thanks for all the advise.

Ok let me see if i can reply to most of the treads in in post here. I am 6' 285 lbs. I am Big as in Wide and tall. I think sitting in different kits would help. I live in Texas and have gone to Lone Star Classic and sat in one and I do fit. BUT, I really like the safety of the West Coast Cobra and it is a 96" Wheel base and is also 4" wider than most. Also I think it looks better than the Lone star Classic one. Also the frame and foot box pays real attention to safety.

That being said my head tells me that Lone Star is the way to go because it is literally 8 miles from my house and is a reputable company. But, I really like the looks and size of West Coast. I don't even know what a West Coast kit costs because I have not gotten a reply from them. Any one know what a kit costs? It says on there site they are combining there two businesses into one. The strange thing is that the other business is a Lingerie business ???? This seem strange to me.

[lovehamr]

Originally Posted by bly123

Wow! you guys really do have the answers! Ok let me see if i can reply to most of the treads in in post here. I am 6' 285 lbs. I am Big as in Wide and tall. I think sitting in different kits would help.

Bly, I'm 6'2 and about the same weight as you (weighed 40# more when I bought my Cobra) and before I made up my mind I went to the London OH Cobra show to see and "try on" as many different replica makes as I could. Dave (ROUSHAC on this forum) invited me to try out his car because like us he's not what you'd call small or petit, in fact he at least 6'5" and about our weight. At any rate, after trying out numerous cars I ended up selecting a Backdraft (BDR). I live in south GA so the trip had to be planned but I don't think things could have worked out better. The BDRs have a 92" wheel base and a good bit more room inside than anything else I sat in. Now I have to say that Dave turned me on to the "BigMan" seat that BDR offers but isn't in their web site so when I sat in a BDR it was already set up for a big guy. This no doubt made the initial fit better but I also tried a SPF with their big boy mods and it was quite uncomfortable for me. If you have any questions about my car just drop me a line, I'd be glad to help out another big guy. BTW, there are pics in my gallery here.

Steve

[Roush #1]

I have only driven one West Coast Cobra and there was much less leg, shoulder and hip room than in my Lone Star. It did not ride or handle any better than my Lone Star. I don't know what seat options are available, but the seats in the one I drove were uncomfortable.

One thing you need to consider here in Texas is the heat problem in the foot box. I think you will find the foot box in the Lone Star is much cooler than most.

I have friends with ERA and FFRs and all noticed the cooler foot boxes in the Lone Star.

BTW...I am 6'3" and 220#

[gyow]

Originally Posted by bly123

Wow! you guys really do have the answers! Thanks for all the advise.
...But, I really like the looks and size of West Coast. I don't even know what a West Coast kit costs because I have not gotten a reply from them. Any one know what a kit costs? It says on there site they are combining there two businesses into one. The strange thing is that the other business is a Lingerie business ???? This seem strange to me.

I emailed West Coast and received replies. He sent me a brochure with costs, pics, etc. I also have a PDF with their pricing. If you send me a PM, I'll email you the PDF. I too have been researching and evaluating all my options. I'm 6'2". I'm leaning towards the Unique Motorsports cobra as they have long footboxes, consistent remarks on the quality of their product, and can have it on the road much faster than most other kits with the Deluxe Pallet option. They will also paint it for you. What I've learned is that finding a good painter can be a major headache and quite expensive. Each manufacturer has a unique product with its own pros and cons and you'll have to determine which ones are important to you.

[PDUB]

Originally Posted by gyow

I'm leaning towards the Unique Motorsports cobra as they have long footboxes, consistent remarks on the quality of their product, and can have it on the road much faster than most other kits with the Deluxe Pallet option. They will also paint it for you. What I've learned is that finding a good painter can be a major headache and quite expensive.

Did you mean Unique Motorcars in Gadsden, AL? Yes, Alan is a great painter! Check out mkasab's build over on the Unique forums. Alan painted it yellow. I've seen the car in person... really nice job!

Mark's Build - Unique Forums

And bly123, they can build you a small block car for your planned small block build, rather than putting the small block into the 427 body style! Keep in mind that VERY FEW guys have 289 cars... most are 427 cars. You'll stand out, even in a croud of Cobras!