Cobra Recreation - Dax v AK

[B.J.W]

As always, advice from the PH collective is much appreciated.

I am considering selling my Tuscan. I need a V8 in my life, and this has led me to look at a Cobra recreation (as being the only thing loud and mental enough to compete with the outgoing Brit).

My budget is circa £30k and there are couple of very nice Cobra's on PH - one a 5.7 Dax recreation, the other a 5.7 AK. Both look great, and I would be happy to have either parked in the garage, but how do the two companies compare? I see that Dax carry the 'officially licenced' moniker from AC, but are there key differences between the two? Dax's seem to be a bit pricier than the equivalent AK. Also, coming from a Tuscan into a 5.7 V8, will the general performance figures be comparable, or is there a noticeable increase if I were to opt for the 6.3 (with, maybe, reduced driveability).

Equally, whilst side pipes and the Hallibrands are essential, is there anything else I need to be looking at spec wise which I would regret not having. I am not expecting porsche like handling prowess - I am coming from a TVR - so expectations are managed in that department.

Over to you

[Happy Jim]

You should probably nip over to the CobraClub website and we can all yaba on about how our particular choices are naturally the best :-)

Dax don't have the "tick in the box" from AC, neither do AK (don't think any of the current UK manufacturers do).

Your budget is good and will open up others that you should consider as well, Crendon, Gardner Douglas etc.

Engine wise there are 3 main camps, Small Block Chevy, Small Block Ford, "modern" V8's (all alloy/injected etc), lots of debate about which is better and most of it all tosh - largly down to what you are going to be happy with. Power levels vary enourmously from about 250ish BHP upto about 600ish BHP so one V8 won't drive like the next.

Buying ready built second hand you need to look at build quality above all else.

Don't dismiss buying a new one though - it's doable around that figure direct from manufacturers (or Dave Brooks will be along shortly (top guy)).

Rgds

Jim

[KDIcarmad]

Never got the Cobra thing myself. What is that make so many people want one? At Le Mans the normal car lack performance, it was the Daytona coupe that won. Those I like.

[B.J.W]

KDIcarmad said:

Never got the Cobra thing myself. What is that make so many people want one? At Le Mans the normal car lack performance, it was the Daytona coupe that won. Those I like.

No worries, I'll be sure to ask your advice if I am ever in the market for anything else - perhaps you should jog on until that date arrives, given that this is a thread about a car you don't like

Jim, thanks for the pointer. I am waiting for the dealer to come back to me with a price for the Tuscan.

[rdodger]

Choice of a Cobra replica for many comes down to how close to the original you want it. Then what body style?

For absolute accuracy and reproductions of actual cars then Hawk is where you need to go. Whether it be Ace, 289, 427, Le Mans etc they do them all. Fibreglass body or all aluminium. Have a chat with Jerry Hawkridge and he can tell you more than any one needs to know!

If you want more modern underpinning and maybe an LS3/7 engine then Dax or Gardener Douglas would be where I would look. Both I think are pretty good but GD would get my money with the MK4. Trouble with going to GD is you might be seduced by the T70 :-)

[B.J.W]

rdodger said:

Choice of a Cobra replica for many comes down to how close to the original you want it. Then what body style?

For absolute accuracy and reproductions of actual cars then Hawk is where you need to go. Whether it be Ace, 289, 427, Le Mans etc they do them all. Fibreglass body or all aluminium. Have a chat with Jerry Hawkridge and he can tell you more than any one needs to know!

If you want more modern underpinning and maybe an LS3/7 engine then Dax or Gardener Douglas would be where I would look. Both I think are pretty good but GD would get my money with the MK4. Trouble with going to GD is you might be seduced by the T70 :-)

Thanks for this, again, much appreciated

[tvrolet]

Surely a Chevy motor in a TVR chassis would tick all the right boxes?

[inkafone]

Used to have a GD - comes highly recommended and the best handling cobra replica out there. Get a fuel injected one with under slung exhausts and make some side screens if you want to do any touring.

[Happy Jim]

Here's a generically biased view based on my 12 years in the Cob scene:

AK - good quality, great service, mixture of driven/polishers as owners
DAX - Must be painted, less personal, don't do factory builds, lots of Bling, mostly polisher owners
GD - Clearly the best (I said it would be biased), Best chassis, removeable body, more modern running gear than most, mostly driven (very occasionally washed).
Crendon - Very personal service, everything edged towards original (best choice for originality)
Hawk - Sewn up the 289 market and original market, Marmite service.
Kirkham - Import/build through Hawk - spectacularly original, money is not discussed.
Pilgrim - More hands on/fettling required, cash conscious end.

There are others, and in the mix above you will always find someone that has a track day DAX or a concours polished GD - but they will be the exception rather than the rule.

Rgds

Jim

[The Black Flash]

Happy Jim said:

You should probably nip over to the CobraClub website and we can all yaba on about how our particular choices are naturally the best :-)

Dax don't have the "tick in the box" from AC, neither do AK (don't think any of the current UK manufacturers do).

No, I think it was that they had the nod from Mr. Tojerio (sp?) to use his name on the model - but they've dropped that now anyway.

[B.J.W]

Happy Jim said:

Here's a generically biased view based on my 12 years in the Cob scene:

AK - good quality, great service, mixture of driven/polishers as owners
DAX - Must be painted, less personal, don't do factory builds, lots of Bling, mostly polisher owners
GD - Clearly the best (I said it would be biased), Best chassis, removeable body, more modern running gear than most, mostly driven (very occasionally washed).
Crendon - Very personal service, everything edged towards original (best choice for originality)
Hawk - Sewn up the 289 market and original market, Marmite service.
Kirkham - Import/build through Hawk - spectacularly original, money is not discussed.
Pilgrim - More hands on/fettling required, cash conscious end.

There are others, and in the mix above you will always find someone that has a track day DAX or a concours polished GD - but they will be the exception rather than the rule.

Rgds

Jim

Well, the AK has sold, that leaves me with the Dax, but I am sure my friends will confirm that I am terrible when it comes to keeping my cars clean - even the garage P&J

[Happy Jim]

B.J.W said:

Well, the AK has sold, that leaves me with the Dax, but I am sure my friends will confirm that I am terrible when it comes to keeping my cars clean - even the garage P&J

I'd be looking at this one
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3520354.htm
if you wanted insane power then a blower, cam, valve springs, rod bolts (all DIY) could be done for about £4K and would see you just shy of 600BHP (I'd guess at £8K to get someone to do it for you)

Jim

[B.J.W]

This is the one I have my eye on......

The AK has gone.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3383789.htm

Thoughts......

[Paulbav]

Looks great, not to sure what they class as a fully detailed engine bay though.... Buy it then take me out for a drive

[smash]

B.J.W said:

This is the one I have my eye on......

The AK has gone.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3383789.htm

Thoughts......

Yep, clean modern bling take on the cobra looks nicely built and unusual colour combo (a Dax thatisn't blue?!!) What's the spec on the engine? Edelbrock Performer package? Always hated those external boot hinges on Daxes.

Mark at TotalH is a really nice guy - give him a ring they always have a good stock of cobras. Internet advice is all very well, best advice is get over there and drive a few and see how you feel.

Think he might have an orange flip front cob that's done service at Spa there - maybe not - I know it's up for sale, Cheng at Thunder Road did a load of work on it - stunning and exceptionally capable. Not a creature comforts kinda car though...

Also consider a RAM - spiritual prequel to the GD successfully raced and has spaceframe chassis. Also can look very original and got Shelby's approval. My fav cob replica was a silver ram with underslungs - just stunning (well that and a Crendon owned by aptly named Crendonman!)

or a Magnum - the sort of hotrod of the cobra world, don't think any other replica looks as low and mean as a Magnum - really need to see one in real life - it's like it's been channeled! Great chassis and handling.

Edited by smash on Friday 3rd February 14:22

[Dave Dax builder]

B.J.W said:

This is the one I have my eye on......

The AK has gone.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3383789.htm

Thoughts......

The gas struts on the bonnet are fitted upside down....


.....Just being pedantic.

[smash]

They're Australian racing spec

[ch427]

it looks good but i think you could do better for the money, the black 2010 gd for £20k looks a bargain to me in the classifieds

Edited by ch427 on Saturday 4th February 21:01

[Dave Dax builder]

ch427 said:

it looks good but i think you could do better for the money, the black 2010 gd for £20k looks a bargain to me in the classifieds

Edited by ch427 on Saturday 4th February 21:01

Ditto.