Mungler Posted June 26, 2016 Report Share Posted June 26, 2016 So, does anyone on here have one / have any experience of them? Like everyone I have always hankered after one but the whole sense and practicability 'thing' stopped me. I'm guessing that it might be best to join the ac / pilgrim club and wait for the one built by a retired engineer type. All the ones on line appear as part / rush finished projects by the dealers and all with iffy electrics and no wet weather gear. The other option to scratch the V8 itch would be TVR - but I have work experience of those and wouldn't touch the brand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spanj Posted June 26, 2016 Report Share Posted June 26, 2016 dax tojeiro Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dano0404 Posted June 26, 2016 Report Share Posted June 26, 2016 The old mans got a dax cobra with the 5.7 Chevy he got last year. And a friend at work has a turbo 5.0 tvr. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
69chris Posted June 26, 2016 Report Share Posted June 26, 2016 built one years ago for my old boss, after looking at many different makes he bought the body/chassis from AK sportscars....... but it was a jag based kit and that was about 10 years ago when a rotten doner jag (along with sierras etc) could be bought for a few hundred pounds, dunno about now tho maybe something based on bmw running gear as they are still plentiful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mungler Posted June 26, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 26, 2016 Cheers chaps. Keep the ideas coming Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFN Posted June 26, 2016 Report Share Posted June 26, 2016 I think you can get a Caterham 7 in V8, granted it doesn't have the same muscle car machismo as the Cobra but it would certainly scratch your itch in a more understated way - I've always liked them since I saw the Lotus 7 in The Prisoner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalahari Posted June 26, 2016 Report Share Posted June 26, 2016 Lola T70 on the list? David. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin55 Posted June 26, 2016 Report Share Posted June 26, 2016 I see 1 of these around now and again http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/259957/superformance_shelby_daytona_cobra_coupe_mkii_review.html Great sound A man involved in a pheasant shoot near Dulverton used to race Cobras in the 60s (good-looking, rich, a racing driver..... what a life) K Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Essex Keeper Posted June 26, 2016 Report Share Posted June 26, 2016 Old boy I work with has a Morgan with v8 beautiful car Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andypaint Posted June 26, 2016 Report Share Posted June 26, 2016 Vauxhall monaro, landrover v8, jaguar xjs v8 or v12, Mercedes v8 convertible, Should sort the itch, without the problems of kit cars Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted June 26, 2016 Report Share Posted June 26, 2016 Built the odd one or two kit cars, but never got around to an AC Cobra. Had a good look round a friends some years ago. There are / were quite a few companies doing the kit and none seemed too bad. He had the Rover V8 3.5, which quite a few builders went for. With mild tuning and the power to weight ratio, they went quick enough for most. Trouble with a part build kit is that someone, in whom you place your trust for build quality up to that point - has quit. The early parts of build are usually easier than the fine detail at the end. If you have a look on line, you can find the episode where Wheeler Dealers built one and had a junior problem with the SVA. The episode bears little relation to reality - the car going more quite a few times - emissions from memory. It depends whether you want to build or drive it. I would go with the retired engineer option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mungler Posted June 26, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 26, 2016 I don't have the time to build one and deep down I know that there is a reality gap between what is in my head concerning ownership and the practicalities of what I'll actually get and have to contend with. But they are a thing of beauty both to look at and listen to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferguson_tom Posted June 26, 2016 Report Share Posted June 26, 2016 Two of my mates have small independent repair garages and both have a cobra in them everytime I visit either of them. I joke that they offer free undercover storage! The big problem with the kits is the quality of the person who built it. It's very easy to get carried away with the fancy paint job and lush interiors, both are normally outsourced jobs. From your other posts your seem a petrol head so will know your way around motors just take a good long look at them all over and make sure every single electric thing works. I would suggest joining a club and trawl through the forums for info, eventually one will come up through the club and people will normally have an opinion on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spandit Posted June 26, 2016 Report Share Posted June 26, 2016 I've got a GD427 Euro with a 5.7l LS1 - need to get some louder pipes as it's genuinely too quiet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitebridges Posted June 26, 2016 Report Share Posted June 26, 2016 Ford Mustang 5.0 v8 yours for 35k new Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rimfire4969 Posted June 27, 2016 Report Share Posted June 27, 2016 I don't have the time to build one and deep down I know that there is a reality gap between what is in my head concerning ownership and the practicalities of what I'll actually get and have to contend with. But they are a thing of beauty both to look at and listen to. I will one day get one, its one I have always wanted, but it will be gone over with a fine tooth comb before I part with any money. I have been told that I have too many cars now so something will have to go to make room, I think not. At the moment I am quite enjoying a 1 owner 1984 BMW 320i with 62k on the clock in fantastic condition with every mot from new and I bought it from the original owner with a full service history. It will be a real classic in the future so a bit of a investment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark@mbb Posted June 27, 2016 Report Share Posted June 27, 2016 I always fancied a Cobra i had an type s3 roadster and it was also i have just got the wife a bmw never had one before opted for an M2 convertible and i think i may had made a mistake Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mungler Posted June 27, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 27, 2016 It's just as well I don't own a barn or have a bigger driveway. I got distracted by an old G reg 325i convertible for sale - low owners, low miles and but a couple of grand. Large engine or no roof - once they get old and bottom out, they bounce back and get expensive. My brother had two Datsun 240z and a 260z - he bought and sold them for scrap money but knew that one day they would be affordably desirable but didn't have anywhere to store them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OJW Posted June 27, 2016 Report Share Posted June 27, 2016 A mate of mine bought one last year for about £35k pre built and with a good finance deal, I think and it's one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. He can't drive it when there is a risk of rain and it really turns heads so if you feel self conscious I wouldn't recommend it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
four-wheel-drive Posted June 27, 2016 Report Share Posted June 27, 2016 (edited) I have always liked the AC Cobras from when they first came out if you can afford to have it as just an expensive toy to go to a track day every now and then or go to car shows but then it is up to you how you choose to spend your money. The problem with cars today is that with all of the electronics in them even smallish daily drive cars can match there speed this is why I am going off fast cars what is the point I would rather have something like an old Land Rover or an old American pick up truck. Edited June 27, 2016 by four-wheel-drive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fuji Shooter Posted June 27, 2016 Report Share Posted June 27, 2016 (edited) I drove one recently at a track day but couldn't get on with the pedal arrangement as this one had the pedals straight out in front so you couldn't rest your heels on the floor. Saying that is looked and sounded superb. Edited June 27, 2016 by Fuji Shooter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amateur Posted June 27, 2016 Report Share Posted June 27, 2016 Isn't the whole V8 thing for men with small winkies? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mungler Posted June 27, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 27, 2016 I think you'll find that 'isn't the whole V8 thing for men with small winkies' is always said first by men with small winkies who own Maestros and Montegos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wokkywokky Posted June 27, 2016 Report Share Posted June 27, 2016 small winkies? maybe. but the sound of a v8 makes my winkie stiff! my big boss in the US has a chevelle with 582cu in engine. it shakes buildings when you blip the throttle. its over 1 litre per cylinder! thats 8 1 litre fiestas in one engine. runs on racing fuel and as a self confessed petrol head theres no other smell like it! i have owned a few fast cars and the fastest was the 4.2 cerbera. would pull hard in any gear. fast but as you said not exactly reliable. mine left me stranded once with the main fuse which sits on the bulkhead catching rain and rotting. on several occassions windows refused to go back up. the electrics and control modules were second standard to say the least. always liked the cobras but didnt do it. waiting for the kids to grow up and fly the nest before i can afford it again. go for the cobra im sure you wont regret it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fuji Shooter Posted June 27, 2016 Report Share Posted June 27, 2016 Try hiring one for a weekend so how you get on. Costs a few bob but you may get it out your system without getting in too deep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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