Thinking about going to cobra
Discussion
I went the other way (oooer) a few years back. Had a Cobra replica for a few years but then decided to try another V8 so went for a Chimaera. There is NO comparison-the Chimaera is far, far better on every count. Replica Cobra's (even if you get the far superior Jaguar running gear versions)do not drive well in my opinion. Straight line speed is fine and yes you will turn heads but cornering is fraught, suspension is rock hard and no power steering. So in a nutshell DON'T DO IT. Unless of course you have £100k which will get you a brand new purpose built aluminium bodied 7.4 litre beast with a race tuned engine!!!
In my opinion a properly built Hawk 289 in a correct and subtle period colour is the way to go.
It all goes wrong when you get into the world of over inflated arches and stripes, if I was to go 427 it would have to be in black with white lettered Godyears.
The above is a Kirkham which are proper by the way.
Why people try to replicate a 1960's classic icon by covering it in modern paint, fitting low profile tyres and modern instruments is beyond me, these abortions neither one thing or another and in my opinion look absolutely awful, so awful in fact I'm not even going to post a picture of one here... because we all know what I'm talking about
Chimaeraman said:
I went the other way (oooer) a few years back. Had a Cobra replica for a few years but then decided to try another V8 so went for a Chimaera. There is NO comparison-the Chimaera is far, far better on every count. Replica Cobra's (even if you get the far superior Jaguar running gear versions)do not drive well in my opinion. Straight line speed is fine and yes you will turn heads but cornering is fraught, suspension is rock hard and no power steering. So in a nutshell DON'T DO IT. Unless of course you have £100k which will get you a brand new purpose built aluminium bodied 7.4 litre beast with a race tuned engine!!!
Good post and way more credible than any other contribution because it's based on the ownership experience of a man who's had both.If I was the OP I'd listen to Chimaeraman.
I owned one for 10 years, built it myself and enjoyed owning and driving it.
It was a Gardner Douglas with a ford 302 fitted, a well engineered piece of kit that handled well.
Very enjoyable and hard to beat in the looks stake but extremely impractical, even with a soft top fitted it was a nightmare in the rain.
As much as I love cobras and seven style cars I would not own another, the chimaera gives all the excitement and is very practical too.
It was a Gardner Douglas with a ford 302 fitted, a well engineered piece of kit that handled well.
Very enjoyable and hard to beat in the looks stake but extremely impractical, even with a soft top fitted it was a nightmare in the rain.
As much as I love cobras and seven style cars I would not own another, the chimaera gives all the excitement and is very practical too.
RichB said:
To my eyes the early AC Cobra Mk1 is the original and best looking of the lot. But then I dislike all the fat tyres, wide arches and chromed exhausts usually seen on all the kit-car Cobras. Give me the delicate poise of the Mk1 any day 
That blows all the fake snakes out of the water. Bootifull.I bet cobras that handle as well as a tvr (and lets face it, tvrs aren't great) are few and far between. Add in British weather and It's a no from me.
Has Dave finished? Is it safe to come out?
Some good and well informed replies and the odd rant. Just as expected. Thanks guys.
There are some nice ones for sale, some tat as well.
If, I ever did,do it would be a replica. I would take advice, do the research and shop around and look for a factory build if possible.
Same as when we buy a TVR.
Then start to take it apart rebuild it better than the factory did, put my own spin on it (we've all done it) spend many many many beer tokens, drink wine and come up with ideas under the influence and spend more ££££s
Just look at who has answered this post, all the tinkerers in one place.
Thanks for all the replies and food for thought.
I've spent the last 5 years building what was already a good TVR into a great TVR and made mistakes along the way, thanks for the help guys, so it's about time I put some miles on it and enjoyed it.
I think one day I will have a Cobra.
Some good and well informed replies and the odd rant. Just as expected. Thanks guys.
There are some nice ones for sale, some tat as well.
If, I ever did,do it would be a replica. I would take advice, do the research and shop around and look for a factory build if possible.
Same as when we buy a TVR.
Then start to take it apart rebuild it better than the factory did, put my own spin on it (we've all done it) spend many many many beer tokens, drink wine and come up with ideas under the influence and spend more ££££s
Just look at who has answered this post, all the tinkerers in one place.
Thanks for all the replies and food for thought.
I've spent the last 5 years building what was already a good TVR into a great TVR and made mistakes along the way, thanks for the help guys, so it's about time I put some miles on it and enjoyed it.
I think one day I will have a Cobra.
From this last weekend in canada. My friends Cobra has a 400hp 302 ford crate motor. It is wicked fast, but it feels too top heavy and more hairy on limit. It also is crazy loud and windy. That being said.....it look incredible and gets massive looks wherever he goes. Head vs heart.....
I used to own a super 7 so I know all about compromises and tinnitus. I feel like the chimaera is the sweet spot for me. It's like wives. I'm only allowed one, so I picked a beautiful fun sexy lady. That doesn't mean I don't lust over the skinny big breasted supermodel. Would I want to be married to her and deal with her s
te on a day in day out basis? NoThe Ram cobra, and also the Dax supertube cobra I think, both use a backbone chassis just like a TVR so no reason they wouldn't handle properly.
http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/showphoto.php/p...
The original Cobra used a ladder type chassis consisting basically of two 4" tubes.
The Dad of a school friend of mine built a Ram in the late 80's/ early 90's.
He was a very good engineer and the car was VERY well built. Cost him about £25k in parts even back then.
5.7 Chevy HO crate engine good for 350hp, Richmond 5 speed box to match, Jaguar XJS / e-type running gear inc LSD initially but now has later Jaguar running gear.
Under body exhausts - not side pipes!
I think one of the main differences would be the lack of good weather gear.
I've not driven it but had plenty of passenger rides and it goes, stops and corners rather well.
As has been said above the quality of components and standard of build varies enormously with Cobra replicas. However the standard of used TVRs on the market also varies.
Join the cobra club and see what you find.
http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/showphoto.php/p...
The original Cobra used a ladder type chassis consisting basically of two 4" tubes.
The Dad of a school friend of mine built a Ram in the late 80's/ early 90's.
He was a very good engineer and the car was VERY well built. Cost him about £25k in parts even back then.
5.7 Chevy HO crate engine good for 350hp, Richmond 5 speed box to match, Jaguar XJS / e-type running gear inc LSD initially but now has later Jaguar running gear.
Under body exhausts - not side pipes!
I think one of the main differences would be the lack of good weather gear.
I've not driven it but had plenty of passenger rides and it goes, stops and corners rather well.
As has been said above the quality of components and standard of build varies enormously with Cobra replicas. However the standard of used TVRs on the market also varies.
Join the cobra club and see what you find.
Don't be fooled into thinking the modern cobra replica does not handle, all the offerings from the big players such as dax, ak and gd are very capable machines.
A nice toy to have parked alongside something else if you can afford it, build costs quickly escalate so you can buy wisely secondhand. The average build cost would be in the region of £30k
Most are built by enthusiasts with engineering experience.
The gd was not unlike the chimaera in many respects, similar chassis etc coilover suspension.
A nice toy to have parked alongside something else if you can afford it, build costs quickly escalate so you can buy wisely secondhand. The average build cost would be in the region of £30k
Most are built by enthusiasts with engineering experience.
The gd was not unlike the chimaera in many respects, similar chassis etc coilover suspension.
In answer to the question about the blue Cobra in my group shot....
Its a Factory Five Cobra kit. Some people build it up from a mustang donor. My friend ordered the kit without a donor so it was all "bespoke" parts. It uses a T5 and that is mated to the engine of your choice.
He thinks that all in he has about $40,000 CDN into the car.
http://www.factoryfive.com/kits/mk4-roadster/
Its a Factory Five Cobra kit. Some people build it up from a mustang donor. My friend ordered the kit without a donor so it was all "bespoke" parts. It uses a T5 and that is mated to the engine of your choice.
He thinks that all in he has about $40,000 CDN into the car.
http://www.factoryfive.com/kits/mk4-roadster/
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