Kit Cars/Project Cars?
#1
Kit Cars/Project Cars?
Anybody have a kit or project car? I am seriously thinking of buying the cobra kit car. The price for the kit is 13k. I would need to find an early 90's ford mustang as a donor car for suspension, engine, trans etc. Anybody know of anything else? I basically want a small powerful convertible. I am thinking of a miata also but that would require a lot of work. I wouldn't do a V8 transplant. Just a turbo. The miata is tiny and light so it responds well to mods.
#3
Personally, I would build a Miata. Already a great car with lots of potential and aftermarket support.
I don't like Tupperware Cobras, but that is only personal opinion. Keep in mind that it's more expensive and difficult than merely bolting 5.0 components in a prefabricated kit. Also expect to get substantially less of your original investment if you ever decide to part with it.
Terry
I don't like Tupperware Cobras, but that is only personal opinion. Keep in mind that it's more expensive and difficult than merely bolting 5.0 components in a prefabricated kit. Also expect to get substantially less of your original investment if you ever decide to part with it.
Terry
#6
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I'd do the Cobra. I know Factory One makes a reputable kit, and I bet it's a hell of a feeling driving a car that you've build from scratch. I don't know how it would perform compared to a Miata. Probably plenty more power, but I don't think it would handle as well. Depends on what you're looking for.
It is much rarer than a Miata, but it'll also probably take a lot longer to assemble the car than to restore a Miata. And God forbid it gets damaged. I can't imagine spare parts being particularly plentiful for a Cobra.
Basically: If you want a intensive project car, I'd go with the Cobra. Miata for something lighter. Best of luck
It is much rarer than a Miata, but it'll also probably take a lot longer to assemble the car than to restore a Miata. And God forbid it gets damaged. I can't imagine spare parts being particularly plentiful for a Cobra.
Basically: If you want a intensive project car, I'd go with the Cobra. Miata for something lighter. Best of luck
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#8
Fahrvergnügen'd
I'd do the Cobra. I know Factory One makes a reputable kit, and I bet it's a hell of a feeling driving a car that you've build from scratch. I don't know how it would perform compared to a Miata. Probably plenty more power, but I don't think it would handle as well. Depends on what you're looking for.
It is much rarer than a Miata, but it'll also probably take a lot longer to assemble the car than to restore a Miata. And God forbid it gets damaged. I can't imagine spare parts being particularly plentiful for a Cobra.
Basically: If you want a intensive project car, I'd go with the Cobra. Miata for something lighter. Best of luck![Thumbs Up](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
It is much rarer than a Miata, but it'll also probably take a lot longer to assemble the car than to restore a Miata. And God forbid it gets damaged. I can't imagine spare parts being particularly plentiful for a Cobra.
Basically: If you want a intensive project car, I'd go with the Cobra. Miata for something lighter. Best of luck
![Thumbs Up](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
If Terry's right (and he probably is) then it makes more sense to buy a used Cobra replica and spend time messing around with upgrading that than building from scratch.
#9
Team Owner
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Alright you guys, is there a negative stigma about kit cars? I love Lamboroghinis-I search Cars.com for the heck of it and see Lambo kits cars (already built) from time to time. Hell, one guy wanted almost as much for a kit car as the real thing.
If there is a stigma about kit cars, why is a Cobra kit car OK but not a Lambo kit? Not that I'm considering buying one......just askin'.
If there is a stigma about kit cars, why is a Cobra kit car OK but not a Lambo kit? Not that I'm considering buying one......just askin'.
#10
Moderator
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I vote S2k
#11
Lamborghini ones usually just suck ass. Wrong proportions, missing details, obvious sound of a V6 or whatever. The Cobras, as far as I've seen, always have a big V8 in them.
#13
Drifting
I've always wanted a 550 spyder or 356 speedster replica myself. I doubt I ever could afford a origional, and if I could I think I would be too scared to drive it. I would love to beat the heck out of a 550 replica with a "type massive" built type 4 in it though. The thing is even being a fiberglass vw based car it would still be fairly similar to a real 550 and I think the same goes for a cobra if you spend enough on the chassis and drivetrain. A replica lambo... I don't know what you can build it on cheaply that even comes close.
Last edited by Stapler; 09-30-2010 at 11:26 PM.
#14
I've always wanted a 550 spyder or 356 speedster replica myself. I doubt I ever could afford a origional, and if I could I think I would be too scared to drive it. I would love to beat the heck out of a 550 replica with a "type massive" built type 4 in it though. The thing is even being a fiberglass vw based car it would still be fairly similar to a real 550 and I think the same goes for a cobra if you spend enough on the chassis and drivetrain. A replica lambo... I don't know what you can build it on cheaply that even comes close.
Terry
#15
Not intending to take the thread off topic, but is my favourite replica:
http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2...esign-ferrari/
I've seen a few and tried to buy one a number of years ago. They are done so well it's often difficult to tell the original from the reproduction at first glance when the two are parked together.
Terry
http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2...esign-ferrari/
I've seen a few and tried to buy one a number of years ago. They are done so well it's often difficult to tell the original from the reproduction at first glance when the two are parked together.
Terry
Last edited by teranfon; 10-01-2010 at 12:51 AM.
#17
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My dad ,brother, and myself built a kit cobra. The most important thing is getting the right kit. The body on the factory 5 is nice but I can't stand the fuel tank hanging down in the rear. decent cheap way to go. The arntz kit and the aurora kit are the worst. The bodies on these kits are horrendous.
We went with the kit that was the most authentic. Contemporary was the company. This kit is probably one of the more expensive kits. The donor car for this build was a 67 Jaguar XKE. This donor car gave us the knock off hubs and the inboard rear brake assy. I think the steering column was from the jag also. Our car also has a Drake Viscome 427 side oiler in it. The motor was as expensive as the kit lol. My advice is keep in mind that to build a kit cobra right you are going to spend lots of $ to get it right.
One last thing to say is that when it is done it is one of the fastest scariest street cars you will ever drive. Only car I ever drove that will go bizzaroland in any gear at any speed.
We went with the kit that was the most authentic. Contemporary was the company. This kit is probably one of the more expensive kits. The donor car for this build was a 67 Jaguar XKE. This donor car gave us the knock off hubs and the inboard rear brake assy. I think the steering column was from the jag also. Our car also has a Drake Viscome 427 side oiler in it. The motor was as expensive as the kit lol. My advice is keep in mind that to build a kit cobra right you are going to spend lots of $ to get it right.
One last thing to say is that when it is done it is one of the fastest scariest street cars you will ever drive. Only car I ever drove that will go bizzaroland in any gear at any speed.
#18
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![Doh](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/doh.gif)
That sounds like a better way to start, but then you're just spending your time fixing other people's mistakes.
What about something like a Ferrari 250? Ferris Bueller style
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#19
Trolling Canuckistan
I'd do the Cobra. I know Factory One makes a reputable kit, and I bet it's a hell of a feeling driving a car that you've build from scratch. I don't know how it would perform compared to a Miata. Probably plenty more power, but I don't think it would handle as well. Depends on what you're looking for.
It is much rarer than a Miata, but it'll also probably take a lot longer to assemble the car than to restore a Miata. And God forbid it gets damaged. I can't imagine spare parts being particularly plentiful for a Cobra.
Basically: If you want a intensive project car, I'd go with the Cobra. Miata for something lighter. Best of luck![Thumbs Up](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
It is much rarer than a Miata, but it'll also probably take a lot longer to assemble the car than to restore a Miata. And God forbid it gets damaged. I can't imagine spare parts being particularly plentiful for a Cobra.
Basically: If you want a intensive project car, I'd go with the Cobra. Miata for something lighter. Best of luck
![Thumbs Up](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
#20
One on the right for me
Personally, I would build a Miata. Already a great car with lots of potential and aftermarket support.
I don't like Tupperware Cobras, but that is only personal opinion. Keep in mind that it's more expensive and difficult than merely bolting 5.0 components in a prefabricated kit. Also expect to get substantially less of your original investment if you ever decide to part with it.
Terry
I don't like Tupperware Cobras, but that is only personal opinion. Keep in mind that it's more expensive and difficult than merely bolting 5.0 components in a prefabricated kit. Also expect to get substantially less of your original investment if you ever decide to part with it.
Terry
![Nod](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/nod.gif)
Lots of work involved. I'm currently helping a friend with a FF cobra. Expensive and while it is fun to put together, I'd probably opt for doing another mustang or maybe dabble with a Chevy
#21
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![Werd](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/werd.gif)
I've been looking into this as well and at the monthly Cars & Coffee events I have been talking to owners. While the kit itself is cheap, be prepared to spend 3 to 4 times that amount to complete it properly. And that doesn't factor in the hours and hours and hours and hours of time you will have to put into it.
My conclusion... if we decide to go this route, we will buy a pre-owned and completed Cobra replica.
#23
Three Wheelin'
Sounds like the right choice. I didn't know kit Cobra's were that much work. 1st gen Miata's can look pretty damn cool with wide wheels, fender flares and a roll bar.
#24
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