Cobra replica's

[bosshog]

Right,
who's driven a real one or a replica, what are they like?

cheers

[Basil Brush]

Have a look at the profile for b16bdx. He may be worth an email.

[MGv8]

My Old man drove a real Cobra back in the 60's. It was tracked prepared, but road legal.
He toped out about 160mph (good boy). .
It was not like driving a modern sport car in that you use the accelerator to get it round corners.
He said that there was to mush power to enjoy driving it, almost.

[Basil Brush]

There's a nice looking one for sale in the classifieds too.

[aww999]

Fcuking mean as fcuk. Mate of mine has a Cobra with a relatively mild 400bhp/400lb/ft chev 5.7 engine in it. Wheelspin in third at 70mph in the dry in a straight line . . .

[angusfaldo]

I had a Dax replica with a 5.7 Chevvy engine in it. The gearbox was only 4 speed and first was a waste of time.

It was more brown-trouser inducing than the Griff but I wouldn't say it felt as quick. With sidepipes, all the exhaust noise goes on by your ear rather than with the Griff, out the back. So it did not make for a quiet ride...

Massive amount of fun though, but with no roof only in the dry.

[bosshog]

what do they handle like thought? is there much freeback, or is it all oversteer-on-every-corner type thing?

[aww999]

With all kit cars theres a variety of running gear available, you can build yourself anything from a rebodied 2.0 Sierra, or something with bespoke IRS and a spaceframe chassis. The bad ones don't handle, the good ones do! If you're serious then look out an owners club and get a demo ride in some. Most kit car types are pretty friendly. Also, if you go to one of the larger companies, they will have deomnstrators available, often in various states of tune and built to different budgets.

[grahambell]

Hi Bosshog,

Considering the number of different versions available ranging from Sierra based ones up, it would be impossible to give a definitive answer. All depends on the particular kit, the suspension used, how much power etc.

I can tell you that the Gardner Douglas version has proved practically unbeatable on the race track and can apparently post lap times similar to Ultimas, so I think it's safe to assume it doesn't handle like a pig. Or should I say hog?

If you're thinking of getting one, best to have a test drive and see what you think.

Have driven the genuine article in the form of the CRS, which was OK to drive, but that only has 225bhp.

[nick heppinstall]

I had a DAX a few years ago. Kept it for a year then got married ..... Had to go. It was wonderful. Standard ladder chassis and it handled very well. Never had it near the limit however. Powered by a 5 ltr Ford that had been breathed on a bit ! Dynoed at about 250bhp at the wheels if I remember correctly. I would love to have another one day but I would not swap it for the Wedge. Lovely looking motor.

[kevinday]

Never driven a replica or kit but have driven a total of 4 real ones.

289 (x2) Manageable but handling is normal 60s standard, feedback is reasonable and you can steer on the throttle

427 (x1) Less manageable, awesome in a straight line. Only bothered to use 1st and 4th (top) gears, will still waste most cars in a straight line. Cornering more iffy because of the extra power.

289 racer (x1) Out of this world! Still iffy round corners.

I here the Dax is considered the best of the replica/kit models.

Or, buy a new modern one, same looks and similar performance to the 289. Bit expensive though.

[angusfaldo]

bosshog said: what do they handle like thought? is there much freeback, or is it all oversteer-on-every-corner type thing?

Mine had Jag running gear. It wasn't great round corners. The Griff is better. I had a buddy with the Sierra option and his power unit was a 3.5 rover engine. The Jag gear supported the car better than the Ford stuff did on his.

As someone said. The replicas are kit cars and the options almost infinite. You really have to thrash/gingerly coax a few and make up your mind.

[bosshog]

I not planning to get one, its just I brought Kit Car mag the other day 'to have a look' and there's loads of them in there, and I just got to thinking about them. I've always slaited them myself, but on thinking about it now I think they're great value for money and would be an interesting option one day.