Cobra replicas- acceptable?
Discussion
i think DAX have always been considered to be one of the better manufacturers.
i dont mind them but they all try too hard to be the big 427 style cars with massive arches etc when the 289 and 302 cars looked much nicer and more understated, if a cobra could ever be understated!... i have seen cars badged as 427s looking the business only to have 2 litre pinto engines in them, surely an old rover V8 cant cost that much?!?
i dont mind them but they all try too hard to be the big 427 style cars with massive arches etc when the 289 and 302 cars looked much nicer and more understated, if a cobra could ever be understated!... i have seen cars badged as 427s looking the business only to have 2 litre pinto engines in them, surely an old rover V8 cant cost that much?!?
Totally with you on that thought 
Been thinking exactly the same myself for many years now and, having owned a Dex Rush briefly some years back, was thinking of getting a Dax Tojero next summer.
From the limited homework I've done, Gardner Douglas seem to be held in high regard too. As the last poster said, loads seem to have stupid unsuitable engines such as the Pinto and the old Rover V8. Guess it's down to what you want from the car. It's an old US muscle car so it should have a suitably environmentally unfrieldly engine IMHO
Been thinking exactly the same myself for many years now and, having owned a Dex Rush briefly some years back, was thinking of getting a Dax Tojero next summer.From the limited homework I've done, Gardner Douglas seem to be held in high regard too. As the last poster said, loads seem to have stupid unsuitable engines such as the Pinto and the old Rover V8. Guess it's down to what you want from the car. It's an old US muscle car so it should have a suitably environmentally unfrieldly engine IMHO
blindswelledrat said:
Normally I see replica cars as unexcusable and shite.
For reasons unknown to me, however, I am always drawn to Cobra replicas- they seem like cracking cars in thier own right and always sound fantastic.
I'm even toying with the idea......
Anyone know which are the 'good ones'?
If you normally see replica's as inexcusable and shite, why are you looking for group acceptance of the cobra? They are no better or worse than many other replica's, which can also be cracking cars in their own right. You'll still get one group of individuals that can't understand them, and the other group that can (then of course you'll get the intermediate group that only like replica's that they couldn't afford the original of, branding any that they could afford the originals of as shite)For reasons unknown to me, however, I am always drawn to Cobra replicas- they seem like cracking cars in thier own right and always sound fantastic.
I'm even toying with the idea......
Anyone know which are the 'good ones'?
If you like em just get one and stop worrying about what anyone else thinks, because most of the views will be uninformed bigotry anyway.
Dave Dax builder is the man to question on which are the better cobra's.
What's the problem with replicas that actually look like the real thing?
Fair enough if it just looks chad, but cobra replicas generally do a good job and most of them have got proper yank V8s in too. I'd laugh at one with a pinto in it, but otherwise this is a perfectly acceptable way of buying your dream car without having to kill your parents.
Fair enough if it just looks chad, but cobra replicas generally do a good job and most of them have got proper yank V8s in too. I'd laugh at one with a pinto in it, but otherwise this is a perfectly acceptable way of buying your dream car without having to kill your parents.
blindswelledrat said:
Judging by the car I own do you think that I worry about what people think of me/my cars?
My dislike for replicas (things like Toyota Ferraris) is more down to the fact that they are rubbish wannabbees and not about image.
Who/where/what is Dave Dax builder and how would one ask him?
Merely predicting the flow of the thread My dislike for replicas (things like Toyota Ferraris) is more down to the fact that they are rubbish wannabbees and not about image.
Who/where/what is Dave Dax builder and how would one ask him?
Some would say the cobra is a wannabee, as it is after all not the real thing, just looks like it.Dave Dax Builder is a member here - believe it's not just Dax he builds, though his name would admittedly suggest he may give a slightly predictable answer!
domcross said:
Totally with you on that thought Been thinking exactly the same myself for many years now and, having owned a Dex Rush briefly some years back, was thinking of getting a Dax Tojero next summer.
From the limited homework I've done, Gardner Douglas seem to be held in high regard too. As the last poster said, loads seem to have stupid unsuitable engines such as the Pinto and the old Rover V8. Guess it's down to what you want from the car. It's an old US muscle car so it should have a suitably environmentally unfrieldly engine IMHO
Nothing wrong with the Rover V8 engine in a Cobra Rep - it was a Buick design originally anyway, if that matters. A 2L Pinto is not a suitable engine though Been thinking exactly the same myself for many years now and, having owned a Dex Rush briefly some years back, was thinking of getting a Dax Tojero next summer.From the limited homework I've done, Gardner Douglas seem to be held in high regard too. As the last poster said, loads seem to have stupid unsuitable engines such as the Pinto and the old Rover V8. Guess it's down to what you want from the car. It's an old US muscle car so it should have a suitably environmentally unfrieldly engine IMHO
WRT a pinto engine being put in a cobra, which would you rather see...
A 17 year old with a nova that he's strapped a dustbin to the back of, dribbled a ton of molton plastic over the bodywork, and installed the sound system stolen from the stage at nearest dance festival.
A 17 year old that has just built his own car, knows it inside out, how every component works in it's own right and in relation to others, but due to insurance and depth of wallet issues has used a rather asthmatic old ford 4 pot?
A 17 year old with a nova that he's strapped a dustbin to the back of, dribbled a ton of molton plastic over the bodywork, and installed the sound system stolen from the stage at nearest dance festival.
A 17 year old that has just built his own car, knows it inside out, how every component works in it's own right and in relation to others, but due to insurance and depth of wallet issues has used a rather asthmatic old ford 4 pot?
Couple of Cobra owners near to me. Their general assessment is that the Pilgrim is reasonable quality but pushes the low-cost aspect of ownership by using a RV8 engine or (shudder) a 4-pot.
One guy has a RAM which I don't think is produced anymore. It's a good one though, and those kits attracted proper iron-block American V8s. Large capacmis what the Cobra is about, which is why my 2 friends are a little disparaging towards the RV8.
The Dax is also a good one but the real quality end of the market is reserved for the GD Cobra, as mentioned above, and Hawk who have opened a manufacturing plant in one of the former Eastern Bloc MIG factories. The workers there are used to working with aluminium, and Hawk now professes to make the first millimeter-perfect symmetrical shell in ali... ironically far far better than the originals.
For real craftsmanship though, have a read through this:
http://members.aol.com/COUPECHUCK/
It hasn't been updated for a while but there are some "completed" pics towards the end.
One guy has a RAM which I don't think is produced anymore. It's a good one though, and those kits attracted proper iron-block American V8s. Large capacmis what the Cobra is about, which is why my 2 friends are a little disparaging towards the RV8.
The Dax is also a good one but the real quality end of the market is reserved for the GD Cobra, as mentioned above, and Hawk who have opened a manufacturing plant in one of the former Eastern Bloc MIG factories. The workers there are used to working with aluminium, and Hawk now professes to make the first millimeter-perfect symmetrical shell in ali... ironically far far better than the originals.
For real craftsmanship though, have a read through this:
http://members.aol.com/COUPECHUCK/
It hasn't been updated for a while but there are some "completed" pics towards the end.
It needs to have an 8, but a cobra kit is totally acceptable. It needs to rumble, and it needs some nice wheels, not 20 inch poof daddy's but some proper halibrands or Borranis. Pricey but worth it.
Dax is the way to go, and Ali if possible but they are slightly pricier but can be better made than the originals.
Just make sure the original maker had the correct moulds and has done a good Safe job. I have seen quite a few with Jag running gear and a Jag V12, just sounds wrong.
don't see many 289's around.
Dax is the way to go, and Ali if possible but they are slightly pricier but can be better made than the originals.
Just make sure the original maker had the correct moulds and has done a good Safe job. I have seen quite a few with Jag running gear and a Jag V12, just sounds wrong.
don't see many 289's around.
Saw the Gardner Douglas stand at the recent Classic car event. Certainly looked good, up to you of course.
http://www.gdcars.com/gd427/gd427.htm
http://www.gdcars.com/gd427/gd427.htm
blindswelledrat said:
Personally I would have every respect for the hypothetical 17 year old in question.
I don't think one has ever done that though.
plenty have, when I was 17 it's something I was considering as well, only reason I didn't was the workshop was full with other projects!I don't think one has ever done that though.
ETA - What do you think of the Gardner Douglas T70 replica? Would be my preference over a cobra, the one thing that has always put me off the cobra reps are they are rather common.
Edited by Davi on Monday 12th November 10:47
http://www.v8cobra.co.uk/
daves site,produces some stunning looking cars,and thats from a gd owner!
dax,ak and gd are all good,pilgrim slightly cheaper to build,decide on your budget first as you probably will end up on the wrong side of £20k if you go for one of the big players with a tasty engine,plenty of good advice over on the uk cobra club too
daves site,produces some stunning looking cars,and thats from a gd owner!
dax,ak and gd are all good,pilgrim slightly cheaper to build,decide on your budget first as you probably will end up on the wrong side of £20k if you go for one of the big players with a tasty engine,plenty of good advice over on the uk cobra club too
If you're into Cobra replicas take a look at the forum on http://www.cobraclub.com
Leading Cobra replicas manufacturers in the UK are: DAX, AK, Gardner Douglas, Crendon, Hawk (resell Kirkham). Dave Brookes builds turn key DAX Tojeiro's and his cars are first class.
Leading Cobra replicas manufacturers in the UK are: DAX, AK, Gardner Douglas, Crendon, Hawk (resell Kirkham). Dave Brookes builds turn key DAX Tojeiro's and his cars are first class.
Gassing Station | Kit Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff