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Shelby's lawsuit against Cobra replicas - READ ONLY

29 messages,  Last post on Mar 24, 2002 at 10:43 AM

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Messages Page 3 of 3

#20 of 29 If you saw one of those Chapparals by andys120

Mar 10, 2002 (2:36 pm)

racing in Can-Am or Endurance races you'd never forget it!

#21 of 29 early cobras were flops by danf5

Mar 11, 2002 (12:25 pm)

In late summer, 1962, at the Connelsville, PA SCCA regionals, I saw what I think was the first AC Cobra to turn a wheel in anger in the U.S. Driven by Ed Hugus (anyone here remember him?). IIRC, he had a deal with Shelby and AC to assemble Cobras in Pittsburgh. He showed up with his first car late for practice, and was allowed to start his laps after the mixed D, E, F, production race had gone ~ half a lap. He did one slow lap, put the car back on the trailer, and went back to the shop. Overheating. The early Cobra radiator was sized for a 2 liter motor (don't know if they used different rads for Bristol and AC motors), and wasn't up to cooling a 4.25 Ford.
 
Saw another 260 the next spring, Sebring weekend IIRC, at the Meadowdale, IL regionals. Street car, the owner drove it over from Milwaukee. Much much slower than the Nickey Chevrolet Sting Ray coupes.
 
Later on, of course, with bigger radiators, wider tires, and, yes, a bigger motor, Cobras were much more successful. But not always that much faster than 250 GTOs. Again, I remember a USRRC event at MidOhio, where M. Gammino in a GTO set up to oversteer pressed K. Miles in a 289 very hard until Miles spun artfully, put a front bumper prong into a Ferrari wheel, and ended Mike's race. Miles recovered and won.
 
Cheers,
 
Dan

#22 of 29 dgraves1, by avalanche325

Mar 15, 2002 (5:47 pm)

The Cobra replica that I was in was by a company called Factory Five Racing. This is NOT a fiberglass body dropped onto a production chassis. (that's what makes "kit car" a bad word)
It is a full tube chassis (stronger and stiffer than the original), aluminum floor, footboxes, etc. Coil over shocks, Ford 8.8 rear (some have IRS). The big thing is that you have to build it yourself (there are professional builders out there).
 
So, over all, with a modern engine, brakes, suspension, a better handling, faster, and more dependable car than the original.
 
IMHO - a great looking car with tons of power, great handling, and an unlimited supply of FUN.
A car you can really drive, or get into trouble with if you don't know how to drive.

#23 of 29 Avalanche, Just out of curiosity... by hdrider

Mar 20, 2002 (5:05 am)

What do those replicas run ($$$) both as an owner-build unit and as a pro-built unit?
 
Also, what are the specs and numbers?
Thanks!

#24 of 29 Car and Driver by badtoy

Mar 20, 2002 (2:36 pm)

or one of the other major mags ran a whole article on Factory Five last summer or early fall. They covered both the roadster and coupe, and they were enchanted with both. I believe a turn-key car runs anywhere from $45-60k, but don't hold me to it.

#25 of 29 hdrider by avalanche325

Mar 20, 2002 (3:59 pm)

I am researching right now and think that a budget of 25 - 30K will give me a very nice, well handling, and fast Cobra. That is with me building it using a Mustang donor and having the body / paint done professionally to near show quality.
 
You can do a budget build under 20K (some guys have).
 
I think that Badtoy above is a little high for a turnkey FFR, but on the mark for Superformance and others.
 
Go to www.cobraforum.com it is a forum (not by FFR, so you get the good and the bad) for FFR owners and wannabes (like me). The guys there are very nice and helpful. I have met with several of them, helped unload two kits, and been to a BBQ with 4 FFRs there and a two hour ride. All just by making contact on the forum. These guys love their cars. If you are going to build, you couldn't possibly get more help. (security in my book)
 
With the research I have done, FFR is by far the most bang for the buck. There are others that are more accurate replicas (ERA and Kirkham 50-90K$), but I feel FFR has made changes to enhance reliability and safety and also take some pressure off the wallet.
 
HEY CARROL - "FFR has no association with Cobra, Shelby, Shelby American Inc, or the Ford Motor Company." There - happy now.

#26 of 29 by dgraves1

Mar 21, 2002 (4:45 pm)

avalanche - For clarification, my post was not directed at you at all. I was referring to the post from Rea98d who said something about a Fiero based Cobra. The reference to the Corvette based Cobra was because that was the only Cobra kit I was aware of that starts with a full chassis from another car. Most, as you noted, start with a full tube frame. I was researching building one myself until I realized that I barely have time to keep up with my oil changes so I went for a less labor intensive toy.
Maybe when the kids are in college (only 13 more years).

#27 of 29 dgraves1 by avalanche325

Mar 22, 2002 (12:57 pm)

Just think you might have a hydrogen fuel cell powered Cobra.
 
What's that other toy?

#28 of 29 by dgraves1

Mar 22, 2002 (2:58 pm)

I just tinker around on my MR2 turbo when I get a chance. But I get to drive it almost everyday.

#29 of 29 You Toyota guys by badtoy

Mar 24, 2002 (10:43 am)

are all alike! =O)

Messages Page 3 of 3

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