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.

 

Ttt

 

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

 

why not a turbo s2000, better looking than a miata

 

Build a hovercraft, that would be so much more fun. Someday I will do this, someday.

 

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

 

Do the Cobra! Or, if you get a Miata, just don't drive it with a male passenger.

 

I think it's called Factory Five actually.

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.

 

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'.

 

I vote S2k

 

I think it's because 90% of the time, the Cobra ones are very well done; only the die-hards can pick 'em out.

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.

 

I saw a Ferrari Kit car on a Trans Am frame on AutoTraderClassics yesterday. FAIL

 

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.

 

A few of the 550 reproductions are the only component cars that I like. Compared to many Cobra or other replicas, they are often extremely well done. I've seen a number that have used genuine Porsche components. I've also seen a few that have been built with Subaru engines that seem remarkably well suited to the car. Most of them are stretched a few inches to accommodate most drivers, but the overall shape still looks good.




Terry

 

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

 

I saw an Audi R8 kit for the new TT...its probably hella expensive though

 

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.

 

I knew it didn't sound right

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 I think it was a 250

 

Not in my neck of the woods. Cobra replicas are a dime a dozen around here but them again Factory Five is about 30 miles from my house.

 

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

 

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.

 

Hey guys thanks for the input. I think I am going the Miata route. I have looked at a few and if I find one I like I'll buy it. It's just much cheaper than the other cars suggested and easy to work on.

 

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.

 

Smart choice imho, enjoy.