Thread: ISO Shelby Cobra used kit car

good condition, under 30 grand. Anyone got any ideas where I should look?

under $30K will be tough but this is the best site I've found for used cobras for sale by owner

Cobras for sale--427 Cobras for sale by owner

Good Luck
Art

Originally Posted by aa909

under $30K will be tough but this is the best site I've found for used cobras for sale by owner

Cobras for sale--427 Cobras for sale by owner

Good Luck
Art

The sixth one down on that site is only $29,000

"The sixth one down on that site is only $29,000"

good catch. OP this is pretty representative of what you can get for under $30K. Factory five, smaller engine and less of a performance set up (i.e. rear drum brakes etc). the factory five are traditional kits that are usually home builds so the variability is pretty large vs. a factory built brand like a Backdraft, Superformance, Kirkham, etc. This one looks like it has a good paint job and the builder did a nice job on the interior.

Art

thanks for the help, guys. Any ideas about things to watch out for with these kits?

honestly the best thing to do is find one in your area that you can go see in person and maybe even test drive.
When I was in the market I personally saw a few Factory Fives replicas and was turned off by them. Most are built with donor engines and transmissions from old mustangs, they have solid rear axles vs IRS, they use mechanical cable clutches (brutal), the composite material of the body is thin and the fit and finish can vary greatly. I personally would not buy a Factory Five without inspecting it personally with a good mechanic. on the flip side I've seen guys who have excellent Factory Fives but it is hit or miss because the build quality is based on the individual

Now if your budget was a bit more flexible and you could push $40-$45K you could find a nice low mileage Backdraft or Superformance. These cars are factory built on an assembly line, consistent quality, good paint jobs, thicker bodies, IRS, big brakes and are solid throughout. You still need to check the engine and transmission and ensure it is a quality drivetrain but typically guys who buy these brands drop in a quality drive train from Roush, Ford Racing, Custom Built Racing Engines, Tremec transmission, hydraulic clutch, etc

Good Luck
Art

I totally agree with aa909: that is likely what you're seeing on most < $30K cars. Getting any kit replica of the Cobra for under $30K, in very general terms, means you'd have to spend quite a bit in order to get it to where you would want it; by then, I would rather just get a roller such as Superformance, Carroll Shelby Inc., Backdraft, ERA, etc. ... but then you're well above $30K. There's no free lunch here. I personally have a FFR and ditched the donor Mustang after I reached an epithany that I'm trying to build a dream car with old/used parts? I did take away a perfectly well maintained T5 tranny and fuel tank (no rust); that was it. I did get 2000 Mustang front spindles, and T-bird rear for the IRS and replaced the bearing myself to complete the refurb. I used a modern electrical (no relays) system and a professionally built short block; I built the rest of it myself. I can attest to it being very reliable as I've been to several long trips (SF to Los Angeles, and SF to Lake Tahoe/Reno) with no drama, not even a flat tire. But I've also seen donor builds and they just don't look right at all and some, that didn't spend time to clean anything. That IS, unfortunately, the way of the kit car. It really depends on the individual.

There are a few places that do build FFR's to the customers specification but they will not be cheap but they will be build correctly and much cleaner. One I believe is in North Carolina, the other is Whitby Motorcars in the midewest, and Levy Racing in AZ. There is also one in Texas I forgot the name of the place (they were featured in Kit Car magazine a few years back.)

I would start with going over to : VA / NC Cobra Club - Club Cobra or Deep South Cobra Club - Club Cobra

Start going to gatherings and get a "feel" for what you would get for $30K and other price ranges. Keep you emotions in check though because seeing these things live and especially if they have a "For Sale" sign on it, is worse than stepping into a dealership. You really would be well advised to bring a trusted mechanic that is familiar with carburated cars and big blocks with huge HP because in all likelyhood, they are solid lifter engines and this requires more maintenance than most are willing to put into it.

If you're able to actually drive one, pay attention to brakes and steering; these will tend to be deal breakers as most people do not put power steering in the cars and sometimes, no power brakes. Mine started out that way and for the first 3 years I didn't mind, but now at 53, I'm beginning to want power steering and I've already upgraded to power brakes last winter.

Also, if it's used, listen (if that is even possible) for creaks, clicks, and groans from the car. It they didn't put good padding on the frame under the body, didn't re-tighten nuts/bolts, or placed something too close to a moving part (I'm guilty of that), you want to avoid the car as someone didn't put enough attention to all the details. Keep in mind, not everyone builds a car in their lifetime so quality control or lack thereof, should always be in the back of your mind; a reasonable seller should understand that and not be offended if you point it out but don't rub it in because it should be expected (obviously, this should not apply to a company that builds rollers every week - you can be more critical of a Superformance or ERA in those cases.)

Hope the links help out.