Thinking about building one of the replica Shelby Cobra kit cars, any one here built one, any advise, comments?
anyone here build a kit car - have time!
- Thread starter neil30076
- Start date
One problem with the Cobra replicas is that Hagerty who does classic car insurance (for my Rover and my Porsche Speedster replica) will not insure ANY cobra replica. I thought that was interesting, see the 2nd bullet in the "Sorry We Do Not Accept" section below:
http://www.hagerty.com/Auto/vehicle_qualify.aspx
Maybe some of the other places will insure them, I'm not sure. I hear good things about Factory Five's recent stuff (early stuff sucked) but you have to live with 'stang internals.
http://www.hagerty.com/Auto/vehicle_qualify.aspx
Maybe some of the other places will insure them, I'm not sure. I hear good things about Factory Five's recent stuff (early stuff sucked) but you have to live with 'stang internals.
factory Five Racings stuff is very nice, as well as actually engineered to work. You can have a very driveable Cobra replica using their kit. Stang internals, yes, but you can use any engine you want. BTW, what sort of internals did the real Cobras use? FORD. 289 and 427s. far more 289s were made than 427 cars and are much more fun to drive IMHO (I did drive both real Cobras). FFR even has a really nice Daytona Coupe, check them out.
S
syoung
Guest
Factory Five is great stuff- I helped with two builds of those and I've also helped build a Perry 550 Spyder (back when they were kits) and a couple of other strange kits.
There are so many fake Cobras out there that it's kinda played out. You can't swing a dead cat at a car show without hitting a fake Cobra. The replicas of old Porsches and stuff are interesting if you haven't completely set yourself on a Cobra. My dad plans to do a 289 AC Ace (non flared Cobra body, badged with AC badges).
There are so many fake Cobras out there that it's kinda played out. You can't swing a dead cat at a car show without hitting a fake Cobra. The replicas of old Porsches and stuff are interesting if you haven't completely set yourself on a Cobra. My dad plans to do a 289 AC Ace (non flared Cobra body, badged with AC badges).
I lent a hand putting together a Factory Five Cobra. My overall impression was it was a very nice kit and very doable by the average car enthusiast. I don't know what they do about emissions and insurance but they do it, have to join in the community to find out I guess.
If you go for a factory five. Insist on a soft top from badger coachworks, its a small side line they do.
scottjal said:
Most states register them as kit cars under the title of the original car they are a replica of, or off of the car they are based on (ie Speedster replica may be registered as a Beetle if it uses the frame/running gear). Thus most of the cars are old enough to be exempt from emissions standards.
I used to race in COMSSC in New England with a lot of the guys who bought the early FFR Cobra kits. They were great for track cars, but lacking for on road use. Within the last six-seven years, they must have revamped their materials because their interior quality has gone way up. I am planning on building one myself in the near future. Their Daytona Coupe is an amazing piece of work, raced against a couple of them at Moroso, and had a devil of a time keeping up with them. Great suspension set ups if you go with FFR's axle set up, instead of the factory Ford stuff from the donors. Built one FFR, worked on one Compomotive, and built three different Classic Motor Carraiges kits. FFR is by far, a very do it your self project if you are mechanically oriented. Good luck.
I fired and tuned a FFR cobra running the t-bird IRS and a 351w at about 400hp a couple years ago. I happened to bump into the guy last night at our towns "cruise night" he loves the car in everyway and has no problems whatsoever.
Factory five builds a very updated kit and at the new price is still a bargain.
when I was tunning it I did notice that you better be a accomplished driver, like any 400hp under 2000lb car they can get away from you if you mess up!
I did check around on insurance awhile back and most companies will insur them if you have a whole package with them...house,cars,...etc etc
Factory five builds a very updated kit and at the new price is still a bargain.
when I was tunning it I did notice that you better be a accomplished driver, like any 400hp under 2000lb car they can get away from you if you mess up!
I did check around on insurance awhile back and most companies will insur them if you have a whole package with them...house,cars,...etc etc