GD cobra kit car any good?
Discussion
A good kit, nice chassis, however only as good as the person that built it, but generally at the top with the others.
Uses a slightly different set up to the others with the front and rear suspension, still uses Jag but slightly different widths, so the wheel offsets tend not to look like the more original dished type many seem to have
Uses a slightly different set up to the others with the front and rear suspension, still uses Jag but slightly different widths, so the wheel offsets tend not to look like the more original dished type many seem to have
Ah ok, I understand, cheers for that 
I'm a little bit confused in regards to the rear exhaust on these as opposed to side exit...why on earth would they do that?! I could put side exits on for a small cost, but would this detract the value and would it put people off as it isn't a normal GD car?
Thanks again
I'm a little bit confused in regards to the rear exhaust on these as opposed to side exit...why on earth would they do that?! I could put side exits on for a small cost, but would this detract the value and would it put people off as it isn't a normal GD car?Thanks again
You have to look at exhaust manifold routes etc. side pipes, anything around £1500 to £2000 +++ depending on where you buy and go, and then there is the cost of the manifolds etc and labour
I think you need to do a lot of reading up on the different makes and their individual characteristics.
I think you need to do a lot of reading up on the different makes and their individual characteristics.
You have to look at exhaust manifold routes etc. side pipes, anything around £1500 to £2000 +++ depending on where you buy and go, and then there is the cost of the manifolds etc and labour
I think you need to do a lot of reading up on the different makes and their individual characteristics.
I think you need to do a lot of reading up on the different makes and their individual characteristics.
turna123 said:
Ah ok, I understand, cheers for that I'm a little bit confused in regards to the rear exhaust on these as opposed to side exit...why on earth would they do that?! I could put side exits on for a small cost, but would this detract the value and would it put people off as it isn't a normal GD car?
Thanks again
You will quickly get bored of the side pipe noise in your ear all the time! I'm a little bit confused in regards to the rear exhaust on these as opposed to side exit...why on earth would they do that?! I could put side exits on for a small cost, but would this detract the value and would it put people off as it isn't a normal GD car?Thanks again
You can fit side pipes to the gd but it is a task only recommended to people with good engineering skills, it also requires some glass fibre modification work to the lower footwell areas.
"What are these like for authenticity, nostalgia"
Well it's not an abought authenticity, who wants a transverse leaf spring on the front? And the body on the original is metal not fibreglass
Hawk do a very good aluminium body and you can have the transverse front arrangment
I would suggest joining some Cobra forums, buy some kit car magazines and plan to visit the big kit car shows next season
Well it's not an abought authenticity, who wants a transverse leaf spring on the front? And the body on the original is metal not fibreglass
Hawk do a very good aluminium body and you can have the transverse front arrangment
I would suggest joining some Cobra forums, buy some kit car magazines and plan to visit the big kit car shows next season
Not entirely accurate Paul.
To some people it is ALL about authenticity.
The original 289 (slab side) Cobra had transverse leaf springs.
The original 427 Cobra(as pictured above, and visually like GD, Dax, AK, etc) has double unequal length wishbones with coil over suspension.
The body on originals was aluminium, the same as the Kirkham kits sold by Hawk.
Kirkham produce both types, leaf sprung and coil sprung.
The Hawk (Own brand) have GRP bodies.
The GD is a very well though out car, but not as authentic as the Kirkham etc.
The "Street version" of the 427 Cobra had underslung exhausts. The Steve McQueen picture above is one of these. The more "sought after" version is the SC (Semi Competition). These cars were fitted with:- side pipes, bonnet scoop, roll over bar, wider rear wheels, larger fuel filler cap and no bumpers.
To some people it is ALL about authenticity.
The original 289 (slab side) Cobra had transverse leaf springs.
The original 427 Cobra(as pictured above, and visually like GD, Dax, AK, etc) has double unequal length wishbones with coil over suspension.
The body on originals was aluminium, the same as the Kirkham kits sold by Hawk.
Kirkham produce both types, leaf sprung and coil sprung.
The Hawk (Own brand) have GRP bodies.
The GD is a very well though out car, but not as authentic as the Kirkham etc.
The "Street version" of the 427 Cobra had underslung exhausts. The Steve McQueen picture above is one of these. The more "sought after" version is the SC (Semi Competition). These cars were fitted with:- side pipes, bonnet scoop, roll over bar, wider rear wheels, larger fuel filler cap and no bumpers.
Edited by Dave Brookes on Saturday 15th November 09:18
What always gets me about that Steve Mcqueen pic is the aerial on the rear quarter - for some reason I can't help feeling that would be seen as give away of a modern replica and yet there it is on an original
Besides Hawk and Kirkham, don't forget DB Replicas who also produce perfect replicas as pictured below
Besides Hawk and Kirkham, don't forget DB Replicas who also produce perfect replicas as pictured below
Edited by smash on Saturday 15th November 10:44
smash said:
What always gets me about that Steve Mcqueen pic is the aerial on the rear quarter - for some reason I can't help feeling that would be seen as give away of a modern replica and yet there it is on an original
Having mentioned Hawk and Kirkham we shouldn't leave out DB Replicas who also produce perfect replicas as pictured
Well thank you Mr Smash Having mentioned Hawk and Kirkham we shouldn't leave out DB Replicas who also produce perfect replicas as pictured
Edited by smash on Saturday 15th November 10:40
Dave Brookes said:
AstonTony said:
Thought Superformance were the best?
At what?Originality?
Production techniques?
Marketing?
????
Would sincerely love to hear the low down as was considering a Daytona coupe.
Is there something about Superformance that i should be wary of?
Really would appreciate any thoughts anyone has.
AstonTony said:
No idea Dave - my thoughts are merely based on what i have read and what i have taken from that.
Would sincerely love to hear the low down as was considering a Daytona coupe.
Is there something about Superformance that i should be wary of?
Really would appreciate any thoughts anyone has.
They are pretty well put together I am told. The owners tend to "ramp up" the "Oh it's not a kit car, it's a production car" side of things. Which is true to a degree, but don't expect BMW build quality.Would sincerely love to hear the low down as was considering a Daytona coupe.
Is there something about Superformance that i should be wary of?
Really would appreciate any thoughts anyone has.
I know someone who had a Superformance Daytona, and their view was the same. Like a very well built kit car. Draughty, noisy and let in water etc.
I would say the only thing you need to be wary of is the inflated asking prices
If you know where to shop you can get an exact replica Daytona with round tube chassis and aluminium body. You are looking probably around the £90k mark for one of those though (Or upwards of £140K depending where you shop).
I don't know how much the SPF Daytonas sell for, but if they were getting too close to the aluminium ones I wouldn't bother.
I wouldn't get too excited about links to Shelby, That guy would sign anything if you paid him for it.
Dave Brookes said:
AstonTony said:
No idea Dave - my thoughts are merely based on what i have read and what i have taken from that.
Would sincerely love to hear the low down as was considering a Daytona coupe.
Is there something about Superformance that i should be wary of?
Really would appreciate any thoughts anyone has.
They are pretty well put together I am told. The owners tend to "ramp up" the "Oh it's not a kit car, it's a production car" side of things. Which is true to a degree, but don't expect BMW build quality.Would sincerely love to hear the low down as was considering a Daytona coupe.
Is there something about Superformance that i should be wary of?
Really would appreciate any thoughts anyone has.
I know someone who had a Superformance Daytona, and their view was the same. Like a very well built kit car. Draughty, noisy and let in water etc.
I would say the only thing you need to be wary of is the inflated asking prices
If you know where to shop you can get an exact replica Daytona with round tube chassis and aluminium body. You are looking probably around the £90k mark for one of those though (Or upwards of £140K depending where you shop).
I don't know how much the SPF Daytonas sell for, but if they were getting too close to the aluminium ones I wouldn't bother.
I wouldn't get too excited about links to Shelby, That guy would sign anything if you paid him for it.
A new SPF is around £118k, fairly expensive! It would have to be a mk2 which has deep dish wheels and door handles so even second hand will be up there i would think. They are fibre glass, not aluminium so i suppose they are expensive for what they are.
Think i need to see one before final decisions as dont want to get this wrong.
458 or Daytona or keep the DBS.........chalk and cheese for a change of car but they are the 2 on the list - one just saves me a shed full of dosh but the option of staying as is costs nothing. Decisions......
You should go and talk to Andy Burrows at GD and look at what they do. Superb cars with a passion for modern engineering. There won't be the leaf spring suspension of the original, along with a host of other improvements that have yielded many performance trophies for their offspring. It depends what you want, if it is complete originality, then maybe not GD, but if you want a cobra that handles better than almost anything else on the road then go see GD.
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