I've been having a wonder.... if you look at something at the bottom end of the Cobra kit market eg Pilgrim Sumo the actual kit price isn't much more than the price for a decent 7 alike kit. I've also seen a few articles recently with Cobras with all the usual 'tarts handbag 'cr*p ommited and they actualy look quite errr 'cool'.

Now, everyone says you can't build a decent Cobra for anything under £16K at least BUT is that because people buy everything at Europa Spares prices/insist that anything that can be chromed is/finish the interiors in hide produced from the thighs of Bolivian virgins etc etc (you may be picking up on my opinion of most Cobras here ) OR could you build a well finished but stripped out 'racer' version for the same price as you would a well spec ed, well finished 7 (ie 8-10K)? OR am I missing a hidden cost(s)? Ok, I realise for example it would cost more to paint for a start.......

Having said that I'm guessing 'Pilgrim Sumo' and 'handling' don't realy belong in the same sentence ??????

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Originally posted by D Beddows
finish the interiors in hide produced from the thighs of Bolivian virgins

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I think with a Cobra type you would have to spend a fair part of any budget on engine / gearbox.
Nothing less than a 5.0l V8 is acceptable.

Not like using a zetec or euro car as a donor.

On top of that you have paint and internal finish.

Got to say even £1600 would be tight.

Im sure it could be done, but would a 1.6 pinto cut the mustard.

I was going to build a Sumo and i priced it up at about £16,000. This was due to that fact that i wanted a Chevvy V8 (if you're gonna do it.... do it right!) and buying all chrome and interior accessories from Pilgrim. There are allot of things that you do need like windscreen and interior but i guess of you are lucky and get an un-started kit from ebay and find cheaper, 2nd hand stuff then it could be done for about £10k i guess.

[Edited on 30/1/07 by donut]

Use an obsucre not so well know Yank V8 motor.They come cheap with a 1970's yank that no one wants.Olds'.Ltd fords.Buicks etc.
A couple of years back I sold a 472ci(7 ltr) Caddy engine and Gm Hydramatic on flea bay for £175.It was running and all that in a frame I had it sat in.I just needed it shifting.Man I miss it.....gonna cry

I've wondered the same, but agree the engine is the issue. Some do use pintos/zetecs but this is missing the point. Big 80's or 90's bmw engine from breaker perhaps?

Another thought (i got to slow down before I hurt myself) - old 6 litre jag xjs v12?

Trivia time - my dad was an apprentice at jag at 17 and was the very first person to ever crash an XJS, which was a million pound prototype model at the time .

Heres one you can use as a base,
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/COBRA-WITH-ROVER-V8-3-5-ENGINE_W0QQitemZ230082369013QQihZ013QQcategoryZ29750QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Iv got a perfect donor for a Cobra tucked away on my garage. Ford ltd 5.8 V8. Lsd rear axle. Make me an offer and its yours.

I reckon u could do it for 10 grand with out all the trick bits.,,,,, But ull need the halibrands etc.... They aint cheap.

So it's just me that thinks that the vast majority of Cobra replicas nowadays look more like a tarts handbag than a proper muscle car then

I agree, a cobra is supposed to be minimalist car, you must be able to build a decent frame and fit out with a yank V8.

Pilgrims are to be honest a bit naff, funny galvenised tub with crude wishbones and a complete sierra rear axle, much better with jag donor.

The pilgrim body does however look quite good so just buy the fibre shell and make the rest.

I recon £10k would produce a decent car.

Not at all - I like your way of thinking!

I think that most people have missed your point - you're after a mechanically sorted beast with nothing that it doesn't need to work....

If you can build a se7en for £250, a Cobra must be under a grand!

Seriously, use a Rover V8 or one of the bargain BMW/Audi motors that turn up on eSkip on occasion and I reckon you could do it for well under £10k...

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So it's just me that thinks that the vast majority of Cobra replicas nowadays look more like a tarts handbag than a proper muscle car then

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Here is a good start - build your own chassis and off you go! Bung in one of these and off you go a bit further! A set of shell seats, a few gauges and a Brooklands screen and then the job's a carrot!

[Edited on 30/1/07 by Coose]

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Originally posted by Danozeman
youd have to create something very special to stand out from the rest... When u go to a show the cobras take up half of the show ground..

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A guy I know up the road from me has one of the original FIA 289 racing Cobras, that is very minimilistic and looks great. It was featured in PPC a few months ago including a group cover shot. It was actually his missus Sharon driving the car for the shoot. It was for a feature on cars that are 'too dangerous to drive'

If I was doing a cobra thats the look I would go for.

Cant find any decent pics only tiny ones of him racing but with the photographers watermark all over the picture.