So What Other Cars Did You Consider?

[2112]

Little known fact is that SAI did modify the suspension on the Kirkham rollers to "their specs".

This is definitely more than inspecting and approving. I was unaware of this, thanks for the enlightenment.

Kinda cool in a way knowing a former Mig factory had a hand in constructing your Cobra. ; )

And yours is the most flawless variant possible. I know you know that when they used the MIG factory, they used computer aided design to make the left and right sides exact mirror images of one another. Something not possible in hand built units.

I like the Idea of Tony's CF body, if the builders were smart, they would use a Kirkham body as the buck to make the moulds.

In addition to believing your car is the creme of the crop, you did a great job specing your out for authenticity. Did you go with cast iron block and toploader or go aluminum and Tremac?

 

[Waxer]

2112: I don't mean to imply that I believe my car is the creme of the crop. Sorry if I gave that impression. There are doubtless as nice if not nicer out there. No car is perfect and mine is no exception to the that rule. She has her little flaws that only I know where they are ; ). She is 12 years old already and has 7000+ miles. Just rebuilt the carbs. The Wifey hates the Cobra (affectionately and appropriately named "Christine" which is a story for another day). Wife holds up a crucifix when she walks by Christine and refuses to ride in her. I think the movie scared her. LOL.

Mine has a 1965 427 NASCAR Sideoiler, orignal FOMOC heads, FOMOC dual plane intake, original pulleys, original Holley Carbs (but 550s). The 427 NASCAR Sideoiler was only produced in 1965. It has a High nickel content block, rods, extra wide journal on the crank, had original sodium filled valves (removed in our rebuild) and was running 13:1 compression in original race configuration. Now it just races down to the ice cream stand with the kids and is running 10:1. I am running a 4 speed top loader w/ big in and out spline.

Sourcing out the block and all the parts needed to build the motor was much much much more daunting then getting the roller from Shelby. The engine alone was a 1 1/2 year project. What a pain that was!

I am now running Goodyear Billboard tires which I think look great. Driving with bias ply tires is an experience but you get used to them. They need to warm up, thats for sure! If I can get a pick posted with the Billboards I will.

Cheers.

 

[twobjshelbys]

The Wifey hates the Cobra (affectionately and appropriately named "Christine" which is a story for another day). Wife holds up a crucifix when she walks by Christine and refuses to ride in her. I think the movie scared her. LOL.

Wow, it sounds like your wife hates your Cobra a lot more than my wife hated mine.

 

[twobjshelbys]

This is definitely more than inspecting and approving. I was unaware of this, thanks for the enlightenment.

Shelby CSX cars, regardless of who manufactures them - Kirkham for aluminum bodies in the CSX4000/CSX6000 family, and HiTech for the fiberglass rollers, are NOT the same as the ones they build on their own Kirkham and SPF roller bodies and frames are not interchangeable with their Shelby counterparts. They are "splashed" from different base numbers. I don't have handy which original was used to make the molds for the continuation cars but do know it was Carroll's own CSX3000 car. In the day, each original Cobra was hand rolled so there were slight and subtle variations between them that made even the originals not very interchangeable.

I liked the Shelby suspension too. The thought of a Cobra with a Jaguar or MustangII "frame" freaks me out.

 

[Waxer]

Lets just say they don't get along (funny story, at least it was for me : ) ) but the movie "Christine" makes the wifey give the Cobra a wide birth. She fortunately is supersitous and beleive in the hereafter and all that stuff.

As much as she hates the Cobra, however, thats how much she loves the GT.

 

[twobjshelbys]

I like the Idea of Tony's CF body, if the builders were smart, they would use a Kirkham body as the buck to make the moulds.

The few carbon fiber CSX4000 cars were manufactured by HST using the same molds they used for fiberglass. These are not "pure" CF bodies - they used the CF material in the same process as the fiberglass. There is a company (in Texas?) that does manufacture a pure CF car, it's super light but not very pretty (my opinion) The one I saw was painted but you could see the CF fabric "through" it because it is not perfectly flat.

 

[2112]

Waxer.

With all those original driveline components in a Kirkham/Shelby roller, I would feel it safe to say it is the creme of the crop. I mean, how do you beat that? Seriously, How?

 

[Empty Pockets]

Wife holds up a crucifix when she walks by Christine and refuses to ride in her.

:rofl:rofl:rofl I don't care who you are - 'at thars funny right thar! :thumbsup (Apologies to The Cable Guy.)

 

[2112]

Shelby CSX cars, regardless of who manufactures them - Kirkham for aluminum bodies in the CSX4000/CSX6000 family, and HiTech for the fiberglass rollers, are NOT the same as the ones they build on their own Kirkham and SPF roller bodies and frames are not interchangeable with their Shelby counterparts. They are "splashed" from different base numbers. I don't have handy which original was used to make the molds for the continuation cars but do know it was Carroll's own CSX3000 car. In the day, each original Cobra was hand rolled so there were slight and subtle variations between them that made even the originals not very interchangeable.

I liked the Shelby suspension too. The thought of a Cobra with a Jaguar or MustangII "frame" freaks me out.

Aren't the Kirkhams exact replicas of an original 1966 Cobra that they own? Suspension and all? I don't believe they use Jaguar or Mustang II frames.

 

[twobjshelbys]

Aren't the Kirkhams exact replicas of an original 1966 Cobra that they own? Suspension and all? I don't believe they use Jaguar or Mustang II frames.

Any replica is a splash of an original.

Kirkham, SPF (HiTech) and Shelby CSX use a suspension / frame that is close to the original. Others (like Factory Five and others) can be built on a donor frame. For example, from the FactoryFive web site:

The Factory Five Mk4 base kit is the best selling vintage replica in history. The kit comes with all of the parts you need to build your car except for running gear from a 1987-1993 Ford Mustang donor car. You can also use parts from 1995-2004 Ford Mustangs.

Even their complete kit requires parts from a donor Mustang.

 

[2112]

Well, I would distinguish between a splash and an exact replica of an original CSX3104 (with it being present while scanning everything) using all available computer aided techniques to ensure an exact match.

 

[HIRISC]

...Others (like Factory Five and others) can be built on a donor frame.....
For example, from the FactoryFive web site.....Even their complete kit requires parts from a donor Mustang.

Actually, that's not correct.

Factory Five kits are provided with a new birdcage over tube chassis with a ton of era-exceeding triangulation.. Under no circumstances is there an option to build a FFR car (roadster) on a donor 'frame'.

Re the 'donor' parts. Some have them, some have none. A person has two options or a combination of two options when buying a FFR Roadster: A base kit that requires the builder to use either donor parts and/or new parts sourced per spec. The other option (which I chose) was a 'complete' kit - which alleges to have all of the (new) parts required to build the car, sans engine, trans, diff, wheels/tires, paint/bodywork. Many guys replace/upgrade many of the parts provided by Factory Five, eg seats, suspension, etc.

The unfortunate fact is that there is a lot of misinformation regarding 'kit' Cobras - Factory Five being the largest, they take the biggest perception hit.

There are some real beaters out there and then there are six figure Factory Five builds, with componentry exceeding that provided by (at least the South African derived) roller manufacturers (Superformance/Backdraft/etc.) My shop neighbor has a Superformance 'Cobra'. It's nice, but it's also unremarkable.

What you get from the roller builders like Superformance is consistency.

What you do not get is the build experience, nor (really) the ability to truly customize your car.

YMMV.

Mine as a roller:

Superformance Frame:

FFR Frame:

 

[Waxer]

I will say that for the money the FFR is a great value. That "birdcage" frame is beautiful. The non constant with FFRs are the builds which vary. I have seen amazing FFR builds and some less than amazing.

 

[2112]

That is an impressive Frame.

 

[twobjshelbys]

Actually, that's not correct.
...

There are some real beaters out there and then there are six figure Factory Five builds, with componentry exceeding that provided by (at least the South African derived) roller manufacturers (Superformance/Backdraft/etc.) My shop neighbor has a Superformance 'Cobra'. It's nice, but it's also unremarkable.

Yes I agree, sorry. After re-reading I said frame but meant what they call "running gear". ERAs can be built with Jaguar parts Both do have a complete solution if you want it.

Your latter statement is absolutely true. I have seen some gorgeous Factory Five and Backdraft cars, but saw one that was so poorly assembled you could see seams in the fiberglass body panels; that kit was a Shell Valley. But there is also a local Shell Valley Daytona Coupe that is really sweet. For all "some assembly required" things quality is the responsibility of the assembler.

No matter which Cobra you get, it is an exhilarating experience!

 

[Thugboat]

"No matter which Cobra you get, it is an exhilarating experience! "

Absolutely twobjshelbys! I enjoyed the build experience as much as the driving experience of my Lone Star Kit. Each kit mfg. has plus and minus about them. I built the Lone Star because of the 9" ford rear end. I planned on some drag racing and the frame, extra lenght and solid rearend was what I was looking for. My friends Back Draft is a far better road racing setup. When people ask me which kit I always tell them to decide the way they will use it and then look for a car. My favorite thing about the Cobras is that I have seen cars from 300 hp to 800 hp. After about 450 you are just bragging.

On a perfect fall / spring day riding around in the Cobra is as good as it gets........

Larry "Thugboat"

 

[Waxer]

"No matter which Cobra you get, it is an exhilarating experience! "

On a perfect fall / spring day riding around in the Cobra is as good as it gets........

Larry "Thugboat"

I get as much a thrill out of driving my Cobra today as I did 12 years ago. It brings me back to 1965 when the world was simpler (for me anyway) and Speed Racer was my idol. Nothing like heading out on a beautiful morning in the Cobra with the vintage Rollling Stones or Steppen Wolf playing on the hidden stereo.

I also agree, more than 450 to 500 hp in a Cobra is just for bragging rights. Mine is 502hp at 5600rpm and 504lbs of torque at 4600 rpm. Pretty close to what they were doing back in the day which is the way I wanted it.

 

[HIRISC]

Yes I agree, sorry. After re-reading I said frame but meant what they call "running gear". ERAs can be built with Jaguar parts Both do have a complete solution if you want it.

Your latter statement is absolutely true. I have seen some gorgeous Factory Five and Backdraft cars, but saw one that was so poorly assembled you could see seams in the fiberglass body panels; that kit was a Shell Valley. But there is also a local Shell Valley Daytona Coupe that is really sweet. For all "some assembly required" things quality is the responsibility of the assembler.

No matter which Cobra you get, it is an exhilarating experience!

No worries Tony.. I'm probably a bit kit-car sensitive.

Exhilarating indeed.. nothing like a FGT for outright performance, but the sound and feel of them is pretty incredible.

My 347 stroker dyno'd at 480hp and I can honestly say that it's right on the edge of 'too much'.

 

[Waxer]

Here's a video my son made of my 427 Shelby...thought you guys might enjoy it. If you look closely you might just see a Ford GT in the reflection of the car.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqIya3r7bJc