| Author | Message | ||
| Lee Hamner (Tennlee)
Junior Member Username: Tennlee Post Number: 82 Registered: 2-2002 |
Stickanddice, I have both Factory Five Cobra and a '79 308. I keep a kind of car stuff "diary" online with pictures at website The cobra is used for track/autocross. The Ferrari for a bit less strenous driving, cruising,etc. The Ferrari is sweet and comfortable. The cobra is brutal. | ||
| Scott85 (Scott85)
Junior Member Username: Scott85 Post Number: 88 Registered: 12-2000 |
My Dad bought a Classic Roadsters Cobra about 8 years ago and assembled it himself (with help from friends and I )within 2 years. It had a Ford 9" with 3.55 gears and a built Ford 460 (500HP, 500TQ on the engine dyno). This car screamed! It got to the point where he had to disconnect the downshift cable (C6 trans) because it would break the tires loose at 65 mph. It was an awesome experiance to drive it, especially having manual brakes & manual steering(there wasn't much room in the engine bay with the 460 sitting in there).In the end he put about $50K into it and sold it a couple years later for around $22K . He sold it because he hardly ever drove it. http://www.classicroadsters.com/classic427.html . I think their kits are stretched 4" for more interior room, but I could be wrong. | ||
| Eric Eiland (Eric308gtsiqv)
Member Username: Eric308gtsiqv Post Number: 876 Registered: 11-2001 |
Taek-Ho...have you seen this one yet? -- http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2419288464&category=6465 Appears to be well-built. Thanks all for the compliments on my father's Cobra too. | ||
| Andrew Rixon (Andyrixon)
New member Username: Andyrixon Post Number: 8 Registered: 2-2003 |
Hey guys, A good site for any British marque is http://www.pistonheads.com More specifically for Aston; http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/forum.asp?f=70&h=0 Cheers, Andy | ||
| Dan (Bobafett)
Member Username: Bobafett Post Number: 709 Registered: 9-2002 |
Eric: sweet car! Taek: man, Daytona coupe. Blah. I won't be able to be seen with you! Stealing all of my ideas!  Fine fine, I'll go the roadster route. I'm into the top-down motoring anyways. --Dan | ||
| Taek-Ho Kwon (Stickanddice)
Intermediate Member Username: Stickanddice Post Number: 1016 Registered: 11-2002 |
Thanks for the pics Eric! That's a fantastic car! Yeah, I'm really looking into this hard. I'm leaning towards Factory Five because they have the Daytona Coupe replica (again, not the Ferrari kind) and also seem to be of note, as per the feedback from members. The thing is that they don't sell the cars built! I might have to find someone who will build it, because I truly don't have the patience of putting something together for over a year. I certainly don't have the tools either. Cheers | ||
| Eric Eiland (Eric308gtsiqv)
Member Username: Eric308gtsiqv Post Number: 867 Registered: 11-2001 |
Taek...you'd absolutely love a Shelby-Cobra replica -- bang for the buck, it's a blast! My father bought one from www.everett-morrison.com about 3 years ago. He purchased it in stages, and took his time assembling the car (approx. 15 months). They sell turn-keys as well, but he wanted to experience constructing the car himself. I assisted him on many occasions, and took several trips with him to the factory to get the rolling chassis, body, and motor / tranny (he chose the 460 block motor). The rest was shipped as it was needed. I have to say that their replica was one of the best in the business. The tubular chassis (nearly 4" thick in many places) was incredible -- and the body / paint finish was flawless. He lets me drive it to the local car shows on occasion, and it's a blast to drive. Very loud, wind-in-the-hair, smooth shifting, gobs of torque, and plenty of horsepower. Yet it still has that classic feel to it also. And it gets looks and thumbs up from nearly everyone on the street. It takes a little getting acquainted with the steering (a little on the "light" side), the offset pedal layout, and the brakes -- but all cars have their quirks. Here are a couple of pics of the car.....   | ||
| Horsefly (Arlie)
Intermediate Member Username: Arlie Post Number: 1258 Registered: 5-2002 |
I have also heard good things about the Factory Five Cobra replica. They make a version with their own frame which is built like the original Cobra frame. They also make one for a Mustang donor frame. A local guy built one of the Mustang versions and had it out on the first test drive. Someone pulled right out in front of him and he plastered the right front fender. He decided to order a new body. I tried to make a deal for the mildly damaged body, but he wanted $1000 which was too much in my opinion. I passed. | ||
| Jim Schad (Jim_schad)
Intermediate Member Username: Jim_schad Post Number: 1395 Registered: 7-2002 |
I always thought ERA made the best cobra replicas. Got a video from them a few years back and it was great. Here is their site. They will build em turn key for you...for a price! http://www.erareplicas.com/ | ||
| Hubert Otlik (Hugh)
Member Username: Hugh Post Number: 862 Registered: 1-2002 |
taek: my friend bought, recently, a porsche 550 spyder reproduction. the "car" is titled as a kit car, and as such --added bonus-- does not fall under the regime of CA smog regulations. it's not a very difficult process, and was handled by the people whom built the car for him; namely, Vintage spyders here in CA. another way that these car are registered are with the use of vintage vin plates. | ||
| Taek-Ho Kwon (Stickanddice)
Member Username: Stickanddice Post Number: 994 Registered: 11-2002 |
Terry, Thanks for the input. I've heard of Kirkham, they're the ones who make aluminum bodied cars. They're asking over 100k for those. That's too much for me to spend in a kit car. I'm thinking of going relatively cheap because I plan on potentially making the shell out of carbon fiber. I saw that some use mustang rears and other jaguar ones. There are also some who use their own, but I might want to go with the mustang or jaguar ones because I kind of trust they were manufactured by an auto maker. I'm definitely going with a 427 if I do go this route, but I'll probably look at purchasing a used one. I'm sure the market is real depressed on such a toy, and I REALLY want to avoid trying to put one of these together myself. I'll definitely look into ERA though. With the savings I get from purchasing a used one I might have some money left over for that carbon fiber body. Is it illegal to drive around in bare carbon fiber? Does it have to be painted? I figure it would be pretty cool... Hehehe WHart, Terry, How did these guys title/register their cars? Any idea? Cheers | ||
| Terry Springer (Tspringer)
Member Username: Tspringer Post Number: 589 Registered: 4-2002 |
Buying one as a kit is not necessary. There are usually some really good, already built and ready to track cars available. FActory Five, ERA, Kirham and others build awesome cars. Many have had lots of performance and track oriented upgrades done. I know a local guy here who owns an ERA 427 replica that has an aluminum side oiler 427 in it, 4 speed transmission and Ford 9" rear end customized to the car. ITs built on a tubular frame that is much stiffer than original, has massive brakes and really trick suspension. It weighs about 1700lb and puts out over 450hp. A real beast! Its not for sale, but he says you can buy similar cars for around $50K. Check ebay and other internet sources. The value is all in the parts. There are cheap ones based on 5.0 mustangs out there, but the ones with the real 427's and all the right goodies are double the money. Still, MUCH cheaper and faster than an original! | ||
| Taek-Ho Kwon (Stickanddice)
Member Username: Stickanddice Post Number: 979 Registered: 11-2002 |
Hugh, Thanks for the info and the lead. I have found a cobra chat forum and there is a big bay area group there. Cheers | ||
| Taek-Ho Kwon (Stickanddice)
Member Username: Stickanddice Post Number: 969 Registered: 11-2002 |
WHart, Thanks for the recommendation. I visited their site and it looks like most of their inventory is newer stuff. The good ones were probably bought out by people who want to enjoy it in the coming warm weather months and vintage circuits. I'll definitely keep an eye out though. I still am very concerned about the reliability. I understand older cars to be finicky. I'm OK with that, but to have a car in the shop constantly can be a heart wrenching experience which the rewards won't make up for. As for the kit car. I'm liking the option quite a bit. I may very well turn out to be the ultimate ricer! I'll be sure to put many stickers on it. Chris, I found Factory Five's site. It's amazing how cheap one of these can be had! Problem is that I would have to find someone to slap it together. I'm not much of a mechanic and I certainly won't trust myself to put this thing together and blast down a highway, let alone a track. Maybe with some help, but sure as hell not alone. It does sound like fun if one manages to put it together themselves. The name sounded familiar. Turns out they have an ad every month towards the end of a car magazine. Forget which one it is, but its from a domestic (U.S) magazine. If I go the faux route maybe a Daytona Coupe (no, not the italian kind) would be the way to go! Cheers | ||
| wm hart (Whart)
Intermediate Member Username: Whart Post Number: 1224 Registered: 12-2001 |
Taek- autosportdesigns here in Ny does a huge trade in older "DB" era Astons, including some that have been upgraded to meet competition specs. (Sort of like buying a Daytona Comp. car not officially done by the factory). His web site is usually filled with interesting cars. (Never bought from him, although i know others who think highly of him). My neighbor has a Cobra kit car, you can hear the thing from 2 miles away, its not bad looking at all (in terms of the details) but i'm no expert. He seems to enjoy it cause i seem him driving it around more than all the other vehicles he owns. | ||
| Jeff Whitley (Phuket_jeff)
New member Username: Phuket_jeff Post Number: 26 Registered: 4-2002 |
The May issue of Robb Report has an article and some good info about the Aston Martin Zagato. | ||
| Hubert Otlik (Hugh)
Member Username: Hugh Post Number: 858 Registered: 1-2002 |
stick&dice: here in CA there's an avid cobra/shelby community and none of the members frown upon the replica 427's, nor upon any of the shelby mustang replicas, etc. your father's right, on the vintage end, and for the money, a 427 repro is a hard to beat setup. imo, http://www.factoryfive.com/ make the best repros. also, here's a link to the shelby club in nor. cal.: http://www.norcal-saac.org/index.htm | ||
| Taek-Ho Kwon (Stickanddice)
Member Username: Stickanddice Post Number: 965 Registered: 11-2002 |
Browsing online. Found a pic of an Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato. This thing is absolutely gorgeous! Cheers | ||
| Taek-Ho Kwon (Stickanddice)
Member Username: Stickanddice Post Number: 964 Registered: 11-2002 |
Jeff, I heard about Shelby coming back. There's no way I'm going to fork over that kind of money on a kit car. The body is sourced from another kit car maker which took original molds. The other kit car maker is apprently the only one who was making aluminum bodies. I'll be OK with a fiberglass car. If it's a fake, let it be a fake, who cares. It's not like I'm going to claim the thing is real. I do want it to look like the real thing though, simply because I LOVE the look of it. I've heard of other companies that don't use donor car parts. I was wondering if anyone knew how much it would be for one of these cars. Or if anyone has had any experience. Chris, I'll look into the Factory Five. Thanks. Kenny, Thanks for the advice on the Astons. They're falling out of the picture real fast! I don't think I want to contend with such a finicky machine. If it makes a Ferrari mechanic cringe...RUN AWAY!! Cheers | ||
| jeff ryerson (Atheyg)
Member Username: Atheyg Post Number: 278 Registered: 8-2002 |
Astons have the same problems as any British car with Lucas "The Prince of Darkness" electrics, the shop here that works on my Ferrari cringe when someone brings one in especially the 70s V12s, they have constant problems Why get a replica when you can get the real thing http://www.shelbyamerican.com, Shelby is re manufacturing the Cobra here in N Las Vegas Buying a kit is risky as a lot of kit makers have come and gone , some used Jag XJ6 rear ends some used others along with different levels of quality frames and fibreglass The company that started the Cobra replica craze in the 80s made one called the Stallion, it had an aluminum body and was a faithful repro of good quality, find one of those you'll have a nice car | ||
| Kendall Kim (Kenny)
Junior Member Username: Kenny Post Number: 64 Registered: 9-2001 |
The DB4 GT Zagato, was Aston Martin's answer to the 250GTO the two even have a slight resemblance in appearance... DB5's is an improved version of the DB4 but commands a lot more money due to its performance improvements... Think of the DB4GT as Aston Martin's 250GTO and the DB4 as their 250GT.. The DB4 and DB5 series stick to many collectors as the original James Bond car and can therefore command a premium due to its popularity.. I don't know how reliable they are, I don't know anyone who owns one.. | ||
| Taek-Ho Kwon (Stickanddice)
Member Username: Stickanddice Post Number: 961 Registered: 11-2002 |
1mm?! Whoa, time to re-evaluate. Now that I think about it, I like vanilla! Are those two the only two iterations? Any Aston forums out there? Reliability? Maintenance? Yeah, I got a ride in one of those replicas once and that sucker was FAAAAST! Think about it. 427cu in. motor strapped to a dinky chassis and shell. Brutal. My old man said it would be good because I would never outgrow it, it's got enough power and torque so that I can worry about lines not shifting first. Also parts are real cheap compared to the other vintage stuff. Car is not a real one so it has no history so if you scratch it up or bang it up just fix it and no problems! Cheers | ||
| Kendall Kim (Kenny)
Junior Member Username: Kenny Post Number: 60 Registered: 9-2001 |
The DB4 GT is the best of the series, assuming you can even find one for sale.. Will run you about $1,000,000... Even a plain vanilla DB4 in good condition is 348 spyder or 355tb money... Incidently, here's an interesting Alfa track car I saw lat night on Ebay... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2417984866&category=5356 | ||
| chris cummings (Entelechy)
Member Username: Entelechy Post Number: 264 Registered: 5-2001 |
I think the Factory Five's are supposed to be pretty good as well. Not really sure, but I rode in one for some hot laps with Bondurant's chief instructor and they fly! | ||
| Erich Walz (Deleteall)
Member Username: Deleteall Post Number: 356 Registered: 12-2001 |
"What about the 427 Cobra replica? I don't see myself paying a whole lot for a track car, so a real one is COMPLETELY out of the question." Considered the AC Furua(sp?) Same chassis, engine, brakes, except wrapped in a gorgeous GT body. | ||
| Taek-Ho Kwon (Stickanddice)
Member Username: Stickanddice Post Number: 959 Registered: 11-2002 |
I was speaking to my dad earlier today as I was punching stuff into FChat. We started talking about cars and I told him my plans of getting one or two vintage Lamborghinis and restoring them. Then getting an Alfa Romeo for vintage track use. He suggested an Aston Martin DB4 as another classic to maybe replace one of the Lamborghinis and a replica 427 or 289 Cobra for vintage track use. "Just don't expect to get much respect from the purists when it comes to the Cobra. Hahaha" would be a loose translation. But at the end of the day he assured me that nothing would be more bang for the buck fun. Anyone have any vintage experience with the marque from those crazy Brits across the pond? What about the 427 Cobra replica? I don't see myself paying a whole lot for a track car, so a real one is COMPLETELY out of the question. As for the Astons, is the DB4 a good car? Which DB series is tops? Cheers |