TVR or AC Cobra (replica)
Discussion
Yeah a Cobra would be in my dream garage too. Some replica's look good too and i wouldnt dismiss them. Have been trying to read upon them but it's a bit of a minefield with some having the original ford shelby engine some having a chevy engine, Dax engine... 
I think i would only have one if i was very rich and could justify owning one.
I think i would only have one if i was very rich and could justify owning one.
Are you into polishing or driving?
Ladder-framed, iron-blocked, live-axled '50s hangover (although gorgeous-looking) against a tubular spaceframed car with double wishbones all round that's just as beautiful in its own right, makes a fantastic noise as well and is 1/20th the price (still) - and that's comparing the originals.
If I was that much into the shape that nothing else would do, I'd indeed go for a Gardner Douglas rep or save for the German-built AC Mk VI which not only has the provenance but also is like a TVR that's been developed further in some places underneath. or you can get into a TVR now which is an icon in its own right, will be pretty much unrepeatable in the future and thus I'm sure will be rather valuable in 20 years itself if that's important to you.
Ladder-framed, iron-blocked, live-axled '50s hangover (although gorgeous-looking) against a tubular spaceframed car with double wishbones all round that's just as beautiful in its own right, makes a fantastic noise as well and is 1/20th the price (still) - and that's comparing the originals.
If I was that much into the shape that nothing else would do, I'd indeed go for a Gardner Douglas rep or save for the German-built AC Mk VI which not only has the provenance but also is like a TVR that's been developed further in some places underneath. or you can get into a TVR now which is an icon in its own right, will be pretty much unrepeatable in the future and thus I'm sure will be rather valuable in 20 years itself if that's important to you.
Can't work out why people say they'd only go for an original ie pre Mk VI? Apart from hairy arsed bragging rights 
An over powered poorly handling diabolicaly under braked death trap.
As the o/p put in the title a replica would be the way to go, I know Dax have a great handling set up with a patented camber compensation device which would run rings round an original and take up to 700bhp - but I've been told that traction was a bit of an issue
I'd still have the Tuscan though.........unless I could have both.
An over powered poorly handling diabolicaly under braked death trap.
As the o/p put in the title a replica would be the way to go, I know Dax have a great handling set up with a patented camber compensation device which would run rings round an original and take up to 700bhp - but I've been told that traction was a bit of an issue
I'd still have the Tuscan though.........unless I could have both.
s6boy said:
Can't work out why people say they'd only go for an original ie pre Mk VI? Apart from hairy arsed bragging rights
Eh? AFAIK no one said that - I for one said that I'd either go for a GD rep or a Mk VI... 
The other reps may have an OK handling set up (that part you can tweak anyway) but most if not all of them are still very flexible ladder frames. If I wanted to drive a truck I'd buy one.
900T-R said:
s6boy said:
Can't work out why people say they'd only go for an original ie pre Mk VI? Apart from hairy arsed bragging rights
Eh? AFAIK no one said that - I for one said that I'd either go for a GD rep or a Mk VI... The other reps may have an OK handling set up (that part you can tweak anyway) but most if not all of them are still very flexible ladder frames. If I wanted to drive a truck I'd buy one.
I was refering to:
Diablos-666 said:
I think if it was a real (original) cobra then most if not all of us would def go for it.
These guys are top draw though:-http://www.daxcars.co.uk/start.htm
Hi,
I clearly have a Dax Tojeiro, but I built it. I wouldn't buy one someone else had built as a lot of them are very poorly built and hide a lot of problems in my opinion, unless you go to one of the professional builders.
I personally dont like the GD shape, the Dax is soooo much better looking it's untrue, and unless your going on a track with them theres little difference in the driving of them.
I started to build it 10 years ago and I would never sell it, it's part of me and no TVR would ever feel like that to me. But if I was going to chose between a TVR or a Cobra then it would really depend what its going to be used for. I have a Boxster that I use every day, its reliable, fast enough and is very user freindly, a much better car than the Cobra, but its got no soul, its just a car that can be used every day in every condition, much like a TVR when compared to a Cobra. The Cobra is so personal, such a thing of beauty in my eyes and something to be taken out when the weather is perfect.
Phil
I clearly have a Dax Tojeiro, but I built it. I wouldn't buy one someone else had built as a lot of them are very poorly built and hide a lot of problems in my opinion, unless you go to one of the professional builders.
I personally dont like the GD shape, the Dax is soooo much better looking it's untrue, and unless your going on a track with them theres little difference in the driving of them.
I started to build it 10 years ago and I would never sell it, it's part of me and no TVR would ever feel like that to me. But if I was going to chose between a TVR or a Cobra then it would really depend what its going to be used for. I have a Boxster that I use every day, its reliable, fast enough and is very user freindly, a much better car than the Cobra, but its got no soul, its just a car that can be used every day in every condition, much like a TVR when compared to a Cobra. The Cobra is so personal, such a thing of beauty in my eyes and something to be taken out when the weather is perfect.
Phil
I part exchanged my Cobra kit car for a Griffith as I wanted something that I could take abroad that had a decent roof, rather than the canvas, sticks and baler twine affair that the Cobra used to have. To my mind the Griff is the next evolution up from my old Cobra, which was a Rover V8 engined Pilgrim. Both the Cob and Griff use Ford hubs and brakes, both are made from a separate chassis and glassfibre body, both have a Rover V8 motor, and both have kit car electrics!
I just find the Griff so much more useable. If it was a grey day, I would maybe not chance it in the Cobra, but its not an issue in the Griff. I did 3000 miles a year for 4 years in the Cobra. Ive had my Griff for 9 months and have already put 5000 miles on it.
One other small point was that the Cobra side pipes put out 108db each side, and they sat about 2ft below your ear. Lovely noise and excellent flames on the over-run, but we always came back from a hoon about slightly deaf and smelling of exhaust fumes.
Cheers
Marty
I just find the Griff so much more useable. If it was a grey day, I would maybe not chance it in the Cobra, but its not an issue in the Griff. I did 3000 miles a year for 4 years in the Cobra. Ive had my Griff for 9 months and have already put 5000 miles on it.
One other small point was that the Cobra side pipes put out 108db each side, and they sat about 2ft below your ear. Lovely noise and excellent flames on the over-run, but we always came back from a hoon about slightly deaf and smelling of exhaust fumes.
Cheers
Marty
Same here, built my Pilgrim Chevy powered Cobra but hardly used it, then after reading a buyers guide one day I eventually started yearning for a TVR / Griff & sold it for cash. I remember the day handing over the same pile of cash to one of the Fenhurst chaps towards sealing the deal on the Griff - the chap gave me one of those strange looks whilst asking what I did for a living 
I occassionally wish that I could have afforded to have kept the Cobra as well but I have never regreted buying the Griff, on the other hand I have regretted spending fortunes of money modifiying sporty Fords over the years.
I occassionally wish that I could have afforded to have kept the Cobra as well but I have never regreted buying the Griff, on the other hand I have regretted spending fortunes of money modifiying sporty Fords over the years.
Edited by SteveGRF on Thursday 29th April 10:35
from the news it looks like you can get both, a TVR built by a german fake snake maker.
As the original 60's Griffith/Tuscan was inspired by the 289 Cobra, it will be interesting to see what, if anything, appears.
What's the link/difference between AC.de and the lot restoring buildings at Brooklands?
As the original 60's Griffith/Tuscan was inspired by the 289 Cobra, it will be interesting to see what, if anything, appears.
What's the link/difference between AC.de and the lot restoring buildings at Brooklands?
Yes there has all ways been Cobra kits to suit all, but one paticular kit I wished I could have afforded during the time I built & owned mine was supplied by a company called Hawk (made some where in Poland). It was a full alloy bodied version & came with a full reproduction tubular chasis, the cost of this kit was way above my budget at the time (even excluding all the mechanicals etc), however the point Iam making is no mater what kit you choose - there is allways a far superior version.
There was also another Cobra ownership option, a few years ago AC made thier own Cobra kit, it was supplied with a plastic body & AC standard chasis to accept the usual mechanicals, I think it was called AC Cobra MK5 - alot cheaper than an original classic cobra but with the AC / Shelby approved chasis plate / reg / index number.
There was also another Cobra ownership option, a few years ago AC made thier own Cobra kit, it was supplied with a plastic body & AC standard chasis to accept the usual mechanicals, I think it was called AC Cobra MK5 - alot cheaper than an original classic cobra but with the AC / Shelby approved chasis plate / reg / index number.
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