Reality Check

[tonUPRacer]

I was toying with the idea of someday purchasing a replica Shelby Cobra (complete but used), but after I realized I couldn't repair our dryer last night, buying hand built sports car for over $40,000 is not one of my best plans.

[Scud]

I do a most of the work on my motorcycles and those 4-wheel-thingies (cars and trucks).  I recently could not repair our dryer - I think probably not because I lacked the skill, but lacked the interest to educate myself enough about it to make the repair. The repair tech got it fixed in 30 minutes for less than $200. I had already spent about 2 hours between reading, watching how-to videos, and attempting to fix it myself.

I've had some old cars and they're pretty simple to work on. In fact, the Guzzi engines seem in many ways like they are one slice off an old Ford V8. So if you can work on your Guzzi, you can work on a Cobra.

Maybe you should try to rent one for a weekend before you take the plunge - see if it really "moves" you.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

A Factory Five kit is ~ $20k, so it would be possible to build one for well under $40k. Two of my uncle's did - total cost was around $30k and the results were spectacular.

[rocker59]

A guy at work, with his dad, built a Factory Five car last year.  Side Oiler 427, and all.

Don't know how much they spent, but it's pretty badass.

[grinmaul]

A lot depends on the make of the kit car, my boss bought one with out checking it out very much, it was built in 84 and the kit was from west coast cobras, and what a piece of crap this thing is, the fuel tank is sandwiched in the trunk between the floor and top of body just behind the seats, you can not take the car apart to get at it, i am going to have to cut the tank up.

then try to find a way to mount something else in the same space, but smaller i guess.

the plastic tank has swollen and is cracking the body between the trunk and the seats. there are a lot of other problems, it is my long term nightmare:)

my point is if you start looking again, do your research on who is making a quality kit these days. driving it around is crazy fun still:)

[grinmaul]

3 reply's in the time it took me to type that:)

The Factory Five is the kit i would have told him to get, but when i was pricing them it was 40k plus a motor and trans.

but he paid a crazy 50k for this crappy one, no power brakes, drum rears.

[tonUPRacer]

I know I wouldn't attempt a kit, I'd just buy one that someone else built, hopefully a professional. But at some point I would have to maintain it and that is where I might have issues. I know the Factory 5, Backdraft, Superformance, and ERA kits are highly regarded. If money is no object buy a Kirkham, better than the original article most say. http://www.kirkhammotorsports.com/

[rtbickel]

You would probably be better off buying something with the 289 in it unless you really, really want a hairy-chested full-on race engine, which is what the 427 side-oiler basically is, requiring the requisite amount of maintenance. The 289 is a jewel that can also be coaxed to a scary HP level.  Small block Chevys will fit too, if you're not a purist.

[BRIO]

Iv'e been drooling over these for a while. Maybe some day...

http://www.kirkhammotorsports.com/gallery.shtml#

[tonUPRacer]

You would probably be better off buying something with the 289 in it unless you really, really want a hairy-chested full-on race engine, which is what the 427 side-oiler basically is, requiring the requisite amount of maintenance. The 289 is a jewel that can also be coaxed to a scary HP level.  Small block Chevys will fit too, if you're not a purist.

I'd go the 289 FIA route in a heartbeat. Much more streetable.

[cj750]

I'd go the 289 FIA route in a heartbeat. Much more streetable.

"Streetable" often equals "slow" but not in this case. Just that there's more working room in the engine bay, parts are more readily available and a lot more affordable, and you get a better balanced chassis. 
I have a buddy in Mustang, Oklahoma that built an FIA replica ~5 years ago. (Using a Shelby-sourced kit.) I've ridden in (and driven) Tri-power GTOs, Hemi Mopars and Cobra Jet Fords, and this thing will not only accelerate with the best of them, it'll stop and go around corners like you won't believe. Of course its loud, you feel every bump in the road, weather protection is minimal, and there's hardly any trunk space, so its not a good choice for long-distance touring. But as a sports car, its off-the-charts fun.
More to the point, aside from a solid-lifter cam which requires periodic valve adjustments, its really no more maintenance-intensive than a typical family car. It's so mechanically simple there's really not a lot to give trouble or require attention.

[CalVin2007]

  The small block Ford can be made to be EXTREMELY powerful...at least the equal of the side oiler 427 of old...and with a serious weight and price advantage.  I've built and drag raced one. 

  Terry

[oldbike54]

 Terry , I always wanted a Cunningham with a Caddy motor .

 Dusty

[charlie b]

Lotus Super Seven (now Caterham).  Source of the saying "Lotus Elbow" (cause no doors and the side curtains leaked).

If you can fit in one they are the greatest little sports car ever (IMHO).

If not sold on a Cobra (I'd go with the Daytona version) then just get a C3 or C4 Vette.  Modify it to your needs.  Easy hp and suspension upgrades.  MUCH cheaper and can be just as fast.

[Chuck in Indiana]

I've built some Ford engines. The 427 is a serious boat anchor if you need one.  If I was building a driver, I'd go for a small block.
Dorcia's Mustang originally had a big block in it, but I built up a turbocharged 351C for it. Much lighter, better handling, etc. Not original, of course.. depends on what you want.

[Turin]

+1 on not putting a 427 sideolier in a replica. You can get a Windsor 427 stroker dyno tested from summit ready to drop a lot cheaper.
The Ford FE blocks are also heavy as previously mentioned. I've had a few FE fords (352, 390, 428 and they are pretty simple, but you will have an easier finding Chevy or Windsor performance parts.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Windsor

Go with the Cleveland.. those heads can really flow some air..  without much of a weight penalty.