Discussion
I am a tad obsessed with Cobras. There is nothing cooler on wheels. I will own one at some point. It's simply a matter of time. If there are any owners on here please say Hi... especially if you are in the South East of the UK! 
I'm leaning heavily towards a Gardner Douglas for their stiff space frame central spine chassis. Although I am open to other ideas. I'd love to prep one for some weekend fun and light track use. So maybe a cage and a hard top, plus some decent dampers, brakes, etc. Rather how my current car is set up.
If anyone has advice on who is respected for setting these up, modifying them, servicing or supply them please let me know.
Thanks all
I'm leaning heavily towards a Gardner Douglas for their stiff space frame central spine chassis. Although I am open to other ideas. I'd love to prep one for some weekend fun and light track use. So maybe a cage and a hard top, plus some decent dampers, brakes, etc. Rather how my current car is set up.
If anyone has advice on who is respected for setting these up, modifying them, servicing or supply them please let me know.
Thanks all
Paul.
Not a current owner, but I had an AK Cobra a few years ago.
Loved the ownership experience - especially that V8 noise. I always wanted one, too.
There are a few kits available - Crendon, AK, Dax, GD, Pilgrim, Hawk, Ram, SRV8 (although some of these will be used ones and not available new any more)
There were a sites I bookmarked at the time and a few companies I dealt with.
Firstly, I'd sign up on this site and trawl through all the advice there (there's not much Cobra posting on P/Heads) -
http://www.cobraclub.com/forum/forum.php
I bought my AK from Anthony Hale at https://www.absolutehorsepower.co.uk and can totally recommend him.
If you want to add race spec items, then check out Thunder Road Cars -
http://www.thunderroadcars.com/chengscobra.html
For pre-owned examples, I'd see the forum above 1st, but there are a handful of specialists who 'make a living' (ie they're more £££ than private sales) out of selling them -
https://www.hallmark-cars.com (They're in Romford)
http://www.sovereigncarsales.co.uk/Cobras.aspx
http://www.totalheadturners.com/cars/ (who are also in Essex)
There are numerous 'specialists' in the Chevy and Ford V8's (especially in your area).
Generally, the 350/383 and LS Chevy V8 engines are used in many of the kits, with the notable exception of the Crendon kit where Ford engines are used. (mine was a 383 Chevy).
If you've got ££££, then have a look at Dave Brooks who'll build you an Aluminium DB427SC for over £80k....! - https://db427.com
There are plenty of really helpful owners on the forum above who'll help out and you should go along to the Essex meeting - (details found on the forum above, which seems to be very near to you here : White Elms Garden Centre, White Elm Road, Danbury, Bicknacre, Chelmsford, CM3 4LR ...... from MIDDAY
A mixed bag of cars ranging from Bentley > Chargers > Cobras > Mustangs > Ultima > Sporty Sub's > all sorts are welcome !!!
We meet the first Sunday in every month throughout the year....).
Hope this is a good introduction to Cobras.
Good luck in your search.
Jon
Not a current owner, but I had an AK Cobra a few years ago.
Loved the ownership experience - especially that V8 noise. I always wanted one, too.
There are a few kits available - Crendon, AK, Dax, GD, Pilgrim, Hawk, Ram, SRV8 (although some of these will be used ones and not available new any more)
There were a sites I bookmarked at the time and a few companies I dealt with.
Firstly, I'd sign up on this site and trawl through all the advice there (there's not much Cobra posting on P/Heads) -
http://www.cobraclub.com/forum/forum.php
I bought my AK from Anthony Hale at https://www.absolutehorsepower.co.uk and can totally recommend him.
If you want to add race spec items, then check out Thunder Road Cars -
http://www.thunderroadcars.com/chengscobra.html
For pre-owned examples, I'd see the forum above 1st, but there are a handful of specialists who 'make a living' (ie they're more £££ than private sales) out of selling them -
https://www.hallmark-cars.com (They're in Romford)
http://www.sovereigncarsales.co.uk/Cobras.aspx
http://www.totalheadturners.com/cars/ (who are also in Essex)
There are numerous 'specialists' in the Chevy and Ford V8's (especially in your area).
Generally, the 350/383 and LS Chevy V8 engines are used in many of the kits, with the notable exception of the Crendon kit where Ford engines are used. (mine was a 383 Chevy).
If you've got ££££, then have a look at Dave Brooks who'll build you an Aluminium DB427SC for over £80k....! - https://db427.com
There are plenty of really helpful owners on the forum above who'll help out and you should go along to the Essex meeting - (details found on the forum above, which seems to be very near to you here : White Elms Garden Centre, White Elm Road, Danbury, Bicknacre, Chelmsford, CM3 4LR ...... from MIDDAY
A mixed bag of cars ranging from Bentley > Chargers > Cobras > Mustangs > Ultima > Sporty Sub's > all sorts are welcome !!!
We meet the first Sunday in every month throughout the year....).
Hope this is a good introduction to Cobras.
Good luck in your search.
Jon
Thunder Road Cars looks great for the track mods. Some of those really nail what I'm dreaming about. More go than show.
Although some of the alloy body cars do look amazing. I'm not sure how practical these would be for stone chips though. Thoughts?
Also are billet suspension arms a gimmick? Wouldn't steel be better suited to last longer? Especially with the state of our roads, or with track use?
I presume Gardner Douglas would be the "go to" choice for my intentions?
Although some of the alloy body cars do look amazing. I'm not sure how practical these would be for stone chips though. Thoughts?
Also are billet suspension arms a gimmick? Wouldn't steel be better suited to last longer? Especially with the state of our roads, or with track use?
I presume Gardner Douglas would be the "go to" choice for my intentions?
Paul, me again.
I would have a chat with Thunder Road re:the suspension as they're the experts on that kind of stuff.
The Ali bodied cars are works of art - I know I wouldn't use one for any kind of track work you're planning - especially starting at nearly £90k...!
In terms of GD - they do have a reputation of being one of the 'best handling' and stiffest chassis of all the kits, but if you want side pipes, then fewer of the GD's used to have these. Some do, though.
I'd definitely recommend putting a few questions on the forum I linked to (or do a detailed search as most questions have already been asked before) - the place is full of experts with much more knowledge than on here (and much more knowledge than me..!).
Also, once you decide, then keep an eye out on the For Sale section on there (or place a Wanted ad) as private sales will be £££ cheaper than the dealers and most cars will have been cherished by their owners.
Prices seem to have risen in recent years, though. The one I sold would probably be worth more now than when I sold it in 2013...!
Best of luck.
I would have a chat with Thunder Road re:the suspension as they're the experts on that kind of stuff.
The Ali bodied cars are works of art - I know I wouldn't use one for any kind of track work you're planning - especially starting at nearly £90k...!
In terms of GD - they do have a reputation of being one of the 'best handling' and stiffest chassis of all the kits, but if you want side pipes, then fewer of the GD's used to have these. Some do, though.
I'd definitely recommend putting a few questions on the forum I linked to (or do a detailed search as most questions have already been asked before) - the place is full of experts with much more knowledge than on here (and much more knowledge than me..!).
Also, once you decide, then keep an eye out on the For Sale section on there (or place a Wanted ad) as private sales will be £££ cheaper than the dealers and most cars will have been cherished by their owners.
Prices seem to have risen in recent years, though. The one I sold would probably be worth more now than when I sold it in 2013...!
Best of luck.
Thanks Jon.
I was at a car show today, drooling over a continuation GT40 by CVA. Plus a fair few Cobras and a lovely Ultima. One of the guys I was chatting to had both a Cobra and a GT40. He rated the mid engined beast as being far superior in the handling. Certainly interesting chatting and looking over some real world cars.
I have to say I also adore the GD T70. Broadley Automotive creations also look amazing.
I was at a car show today, drooling over a continuation GT40 by CVA. Plus a fair few Cobras and a lovely Ultima. One of the guys I was chatting to had both a Cobra and a GT40. He rated the mid engined beast as being far superior in the handling. Certainly interesting chatting and looking over some real world cars.
I have to say I also adore the GD T70. Broadley Automotive creations also look amazing.
All those links below are good, but of course if you are buying from a dealer there is the markup price as they have to pay wages and make a living 
Now one thing about Cobra replicas is this......Because these are kit cars they are only as good as the person that actually built them!
Some use bespoke wiring harnesses others hack into a loom from a donor car and that was the case of my Dax Tojeiro (hacking into a ford seria loom).
So from an engineering perspective, check absolutely everything.
Seat belt attachments, (have they been mounted to the frame)?
Fuel tank placement and pipes from it.
Fuel Pump placement,
Battery placement and connections.
Brake pipe routing,
Wiring, Fuse board placing.
Some people fit heaters, Dax made a heater box,
CHECK EVERYTHING Nuts Bolts etc
If your not capable, then get a vehicle engineer inspection company to do it.
Ford or Chevy V8 should be a good engine choice.
I would steer away from old rover blocks.
Now one thing about Cobra replicas is this......Because these are kit cars they are only as good as the person that actually built them!
Some use bespoke wiring harnesses others hack into a loom from a donor car and that was the case of my Dax Tojeiro (hacking into a ford seria loom).
So from an engineering perspective, check absolutely everything.
Seat belt attachments, (have they been mounted to the frame)?
Fuel tank placement and pipes from it.
Fuel Pump placement,
Battery placement and connections.
Brake pipe routing,
Wiring, Fuse board placing.
Some people fit heaters, Dax made a heater box,
CHECK EVERYTHING Nuts Bolts etc
If your not capable, then get a vehicle engineer inspection company to do it.
Ford or Chevy V8 should be a good engine choice.
I would steer away from old rover blocks.
The things they don't tell you.
If you ever get caught in the rain, (very likely) some interesting things happen. The rain water works its way up to the windscreen then goes left and right to where the chrome slots are in the bulkhead mounting the windscreen frame, you will find your knees getting wet as the water streams in.
If the car has the top mounted sun visors then there is an added problem. Water goes up the screen hits the sun Visors which are hinge mounted and the water then runs down the Inside of the windscreen
So when I traveled down to Le mans in mine a couple of times we ended up with dustbin liners on our lap, and constantly wiping the screen on the inside to see
And remember to dry out your leather interior and carpets!
Nice cars in the dry........But.......
If you ever get caught in the rain, (very likely) some interesting things happen. The rain water works its way up to the windscreen then goes left and right to where the chrome slots are in the bulkhead mounting the windscreen frame, you will find your knees getting wet as the water streams in.
If the car has the top mounted sun visors then there is an added problem. Water goes up the screen hits the sun Visors which are hinge mounted and the water then runs down the Inside of the windscreen
So when I traveled down to Le mans in mine a couple of times we ended up with dustbin liners on our lap, and constantly wiping the screen on the inside to see
And remember to dry out your leather interior and carpets!
Nice cars in the dry........But.......
I got taken out in the GD demonstrator a few years ago. It was a fantastic bit of kit, not a squeak or rattle from the body even when he floored it over the speed bumps, very impressive.
I went back to look at the T70 Moda a few years later but I found the car very claustrophobic and a bit cramped, I ended up with an Ultima GTR. Pity, as I really love the Lola shape and GDs engineering, plus the Lola factory was about a mile away.
My wife really loves Cobras, if I ever get bored of the Caterham I may just well see about a GD Cobra.
I went back to look at the T70 Moda a few years later but I found the car very claustrophobic and a bit cramped, I ended up with an Ultima GTR. Pity, as I really love the Lola shape and GDs engineering, plus the Lola factory was about a mile away.
My wife really loves Cobras, if I ever get bored of the Caterham I may just well see about a GD Cobra.
I loved the Ultima I looked over the other day. I think the interior was absolutely perfect: bare alloy floor with rivets (cool as hell aero look), black leather seats and dash, black cage, just spot on. Even the storage bins in the sills were amazingly useful.
The only slight minus I guess for me, they look rather high tech and modern. I quite like a vintage vibe. Also they are pretty darn wide! Although amazingly cool and well built. I'd take one over any Ferrari / Lambo / banker mobile.
The only slight minus I guess for me, they look rather high tech and modern. I quite like a vintage vibe. Also they are pretty darn wide! Although amazingly cool and well built. I'd take one over any Ferrari / Lambo / banker mobile.
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