Cobras: Why always such low mileage?
Discussion
smokey mow said:
British weather and less than optimal weather gear.
My Westfield was no different and even with the hood up you’d still end up getting a wet leg. It’s also no fun to drive when it’s cold or damp.
I've had a few convertibles with pretty sketchy soft-tops (TVR Tuscan Challenge roadlegal race car, Boxter Spyder) I drove them way more than 300-500 miles a year, which seems to be the average Cobra mileage. At an average Sunday-blast speed of say 40mph most owners would only be driving their cars for 8 to 12 hours a year! This seems crazy low. I'm just trying to work out if they're actually not much fun to drive. I hope I'm wrong, because I REALLY want one. My Westfield was no different and even with the hood up you’d still end up getting a wet leg. It’s also no fun to drive when it’s cold or damp.
Cobras especially are shiny shiny things. Unless you're a polisher, you're going to avoid going out in the wet. So that restricts mileage straight away.
Then, what are you doing with the car?
Going to the pub for the afternoon? not so much these days unless you really love fake cola or zero beer.
Out for a drive for the sake of it? if out for 90 minutes you might do 50-60 miles, it's not going to be on the motorway.
You won't be stopping off in town and going for a coffee, cos the car is open.
It's not one to commute in, even occasionally - again, it's open to the elements and to passers by.
Going to shows? Hard to commit to unless the weather's a known quantity.
I think it's just because they're a car that's built to be a shiny showpiece, to take for a blast on sunny Sundays. So you won't go that far, or do it that often.
Then, what are you doing with the car?
Going to the pub for the afternoon? not so much these days unless you really love fake cola or zero beer.
Out for a drive for the sake of it? if out for 90 minutes you might do 50-60 miles, it's not going to be on the motorway.
You won't be stopping off in town and going for a coffee, cos the car is open.
It's not one to commute in, even occasionally - again, it's open to the elements and to passers by.
Going to shows? Hard to commit to unless the weather's a known quantity.
I think it's just because they're a car that's built to be a shiny showpiece, to take for a blast on sunny Sundays. So you won't go that far, or do it that often.
Oh and if in doubt, drive a few different makes but make sure one of them is Gardner Douglas, who make a properly decent chassis with well designed suspension. Be a shame to make a decision on the dynamics and fun factor of some of the more basic ladder frame cars when better engineered options are also available.
Got caught in the rain in my Westfield on the motorway, was only a couple of junctions. I couldn't go over 50mph as it was aqua planing, so looking up at an artics wheels in poor visibility was terrifying.
Overtaking was difficult as being so low I couldn't see past anything to check it was safe.
Great car, really miss it. Regret selling it as it was otherwise a great car on the right day. Just hardly used it. But not the kind of car you can do a lot of mileage in just by sheer opportunity, especially if you buy a bike aswell.
Overtaking was difficult as being so low I couldn't see past anything to check it was safe.
Great car, really miss it. Regret selling it as it was otherwise a great car on the right day. Just hardly used it. But not the kind of car you can do a lot of mileage in just by sheer opportunity, especially if you buy a bike aswell.
FNG said:
Oh and if in doubt, drive a few different makes but make sure one of them is Gardner Douglas, who make a properly decent chassis with well designed suspension. Be a shame to make a decision on the dynamics and fun factor of some of the more basic ladder frame cars when better engineered options are also available.
Thanks, That makes a lot of sense. I am increasingly being drawn to the Gardener Douglas, I know it's never going to have the precise handling of a mid engined Boxter, but if the chassis is triangulated - so reasonably stiff to start with - you can fit half decent dampers and get the car setup to handle reasonably well in the corners. Grant Tuscan said:
FNG said:
Oh and if in doubt, drive a few different makes but make sure one of them is Gardner Douglas, who make a properly decent chassis with well designed suspension. Be a shame to make a decision on the dynamics and fun factor of some of the more basic ladder frame cars when better engineered options are also available.
Thanks, That makes a lot of sense. I am increasingly being drawn to the Gardener Douglas, I know it's never going to have the precise handling of a mid engined Boxter, but if the chassis is triangulated - so reasonably stiff to start with - you can fit half decent dampers and get the car setup to handle reasonably well in the corners. 
You have to be hard core driving a cobra!
When it is 28’ you’re legs and feet are getting fried if drive longer than 2 hours.
If it’s under 10’ you’re nek is freezing.
and if you have a semi-racing engine like mine,the fuel wil freeze and you get a free cruise controle.
With the soft top on you can get home but do not drive faster than 120km/h or you can buy a new one.
If it rains;
Get the towels out
And be very gentle on the loud pedal
It is like riding a motorcycle but without the leaders and helmet.
Every other year I make a road trip with my wife in the car,usually 3000km.
These cars are as good as the man who has built it!
Keep this in mind when you buy one
Greetings bart
When it is 28’ you’re legs and feet are getting fried if drive longer than 2 hours.
If it’s under 10’ you’re nek is freezing.
and if you have a semi-racing engine like mine,the fuel wil freeze and you get a free cruise controle.
With the soft top on you can get home but do not drive faster than 120km/h or you can buy a new one.
If it rains;
Get the towels out
And be very gentle on the loud pedal
It is like riding a motorcycle but without the leaders and helmet.
Every other year I make a road trip with my wife in the car,usually 3000km.
These cars are as good as the man who has built it!
Keep this in mind when you buy one
Greetings bart
Blacklemming said:
You have to be hard core driving a cobra!
When it is 28’ you’re legs and feet are getting fried if drive longer than 2 hours.
If it’s under 10’ you’re nek is freezing.
and if you have a semi-racing engine like mine,the fuel wil freeze and you get a free cruise controle.
With the soft top on you can get home but do not drive faster than 120km/h or you can buy a new one.
If it rains;
Get the towels out
And be very gentle on the loud pedal
It is like riding a motorcycle but without the leaders and helmet.
Every other year I make a road trip with my wife in the car,usually 3000km.
These cars are as good as the man who has built it!
Keep this in mind when you buy one
Greetings bart
Thanks Bart. Love the fact that you guys do 3000km road trips in your Cobra! I've had a few TVRs so I know what you mean about heat soak on a hot day and feeling like your legs are being slow-cooked. On one car I fitted additional motorsport type heat matting to reduce the heat soak, which helped. I see quite a few cobra builds are adding heated seats too - great idea. The 427 Hard Tops look impressive and extend the weather driving-window for these cars too.When it is 28’ you’re legs and feet are getting fried if drive longer than 2 hours.
If it’s under 10’ you’re nek is freezing.
and if you have a semi-racing engine like mine,the fuel wil freeze and you get a free cruise controle.
With the soft top on you can get home but do not drive faster than 120km/h or you can buy a new one.
If it rains;
Get the towels out
And be very gentle on the loud pedal
It is like riding a motorcycle but without the leaders and helmet.
Every other year I make a road trip with my wife in the car,usually 3000km.
These cars are as good as the man who has built it!
Keep this in mind when you buy one
Greetings bart
AceRockatansky said:
Got caught in the rain in my Westfield on the motorway, was only a couple of junctions. I couldn't go over 50mph as it was aqua planing, so looking up at an artics wheels in poor visibility was terrifying.
Overtaking was difficult as being so low I couldn't see past anything to check it was safe.
Great car, really miss it. Regret selling it as it was otherwise a great car on the right day. Just hardly used it. But not the kind of car you can do a lot of mileage in just by sheer opportunity, especially if you buy a bike aswell.
Henry Catchpole might suggest 'the right day' has a range of interpretations Overtaking was difficult as being so low I couldn't see past anything to check it was safe.
Great car, really miss it. Regret selling it as it was otherwise a great car on the right day. Just hardly used it. But not the kind of car you can do a lot of mileage in just by sheer opportunity, especially if you buy a bike aswell.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXVYFmnJmno
The new to built AC Cobra has some better items, like up/down side windows, like lockable doors, not sure about the roof/softtop, but I guess better?
btw they also sell a new coupe.
https://accars.eu/ac-cobra-gt-roadster/
and ow, a few months ago I saw a special AC Cobra coupe I've not seen before, looked like a normal Cobra, with a nice hardtop, but its a coupe with normal windows tc, but not a daytona coupe cobra.
Cobra GTS or another name, very interesting.
btw they also sell a new coupe.
https://accars.eu/ac-cobra-gt-roadster/
and ow, a few months ago I saw a special AC Cobra coupe I've not seen before, looked like a normal Cobra, with a nice hardtop, but its a coupe with normal windows tc, but not a daytona coupe cobra.
Cobra GTS or another name, very interesting.
AceRockatansky said:
Got caught in the rain in my Westfield on the motorway, was only a couple of junctions. I couldn't go over 50mph as it was aqua planing, so looking up at an artics wheels in poor visibility was terrifying.
Overtaking was difficult as being so low I couldn't see past anything to check it was safe.
Great car, really miss it. Regret selling it as it was otherwise a great car on the right day. Just hardly used it. But not the kind of car you can do a lot of mileage in just by sheer opportunity, especially if you buy a bike aswell.
Strange, I did 38k miles in mine as a daily driver.Overtaking was difficult as being so low I couldn't see past anything to check it was safe.
Great car, really miss it. Regret selling it as it was otherwise a great car on the right day. Just hardly used it. But not the kind of car you can do a lot of mileage in just by sheer opportunity, especially if you buy a bike aswell.
I’m up to 42k miles so far in my GD.
Average of only 872 mikes per year, best year 4k, worst year 300 (hangs head in shame).
I’ve done many Euro trips in all weathers (Alps being my fav!).
Thee are lot of builders that just polish them and won’t entertain any inclement weather, I don’t get it either, these things don’t rust unless you really abuse them in winter.
They are a blast to drive!
Regards
Jim
Average of only 872 mikes per year, best year 4k, worst year 300 (hangs head in shame).
I’ve done many Euro trips in all weathers (Alps being my fav!).
Thee are lot of builders that just polish them and won’t entertain any inclement weather, I don’t get it either, these things don’t rust unless you really abuse them in winter.
They are a blast to drive!
Regards
Jim
I owned this beautiful factory built GD 427 euro around 7 years ago now, for just over a year. Hankered after one for some time, did my research etc and concluded the Gardner Douglas was the best.
Tried out a couple of Dax’s one with a hard top, which whilst looked the part totally spoilt what Cobra’s are all about. IMO any roof on one is a waste of time, fabric ones as mentioned will flag up on air traffic control much over 60, hard tops just make the car feel,,,,,,,,,,,,,, unpleasant!
Did around 2000ms in the GD, wife and I even went for a week’s hols down the west country, did not bother with the roof, used the tonneau cover when parked overnight. That leaked like a sieve when tested, after a few mods i managed to avoid almost all water ingress.
Car ran faultlessly, it ran a LS2 with cam upgrade around 470bhp in 1017kgs so was fun to drive. Once you were in 3rd in the dry it could put all the power down and is probably the fastest accelerating car I have ever driven, docile as well when called for and I think returned around 25mpg on a run.
Handling and ride were good, bit better than TVR’s, but like them, unless the roads were smooth, across country a hot hatch would leave you behind.
Why did I sell it, well, for a 40k plus car, I’d expect it to be better TBH. Steering never felt sharp as I expected, fitting a quick rack helped, but still not right IMO, brakes whilst stopped well were devoid of any decent feeling. Cooling fan fuse tended to overheat, melting the fuse holder, trying to fill the bugger up with fuel was a real pain, it would spit the last litre out!
As mentioned, roof situation is hopeless, got caught in some light rain once TBH it was ok if you kept above 50 ish, so water proof carpets and drain holes are essential.
I’m glad I had it, Andy at GD is a Very nice helpful chap and a pleasure to deal with, do I miss it, on a sunny day yes and no. Weirdly though I have started looking at them again, a 289 Hawk seems to attract my interest now, glutton for punishment I suspect
Tried out a couple of Dax’s one with a hard top, which whilst looked the part totally spoilt what Cobra’s are all about. IMO any roof on one is a waste of time, fabric ones as mentioned will flag up on air traffic control much over 60, hard tops just make the car feel,,,,,,,,,,,,,, unpleasant!
Did around 2000ms in the GD, wife and I even went for a week’s hols down the west country, did not bother with the roof, used the tonneau cover when parked overnight. That leaked like a sieve when tested, after a few mods i managed to avoid almost all water ingress.
Car ran faultlessly, it ran a LS2 with cam upgrade around 470bhp in 1017kgs so was fun to drive. Once you were in 3rd in the dry it could put all the power down and is probably the fastest accelerating car I have ever driven, docile as well when called for and I think returned around 25mpg on a run.
Handling and ride were good, bit better than TVR’s, but like them, unless the roads were smooth, across country a hot hatch would leave you behind.
Why did I sell it, well, for a 40k plus car, I’d expect it to be better TBH. Steering never felt sharp as I expected, fitting a quick rack helped, but still not right IMO, brakes whilst stopped well were devoid of any decent feeling. Cooling fan fuse tended to overheat, melting the fuse holder, trying to fill the bugger up with fuel was a real pain, it would spit the last litre out!
As mentioned, roof situation is hopeless, got caught in some light rain once TBH it was ok if you kept above 50 ish, so water proof carpets and drain holes are essential.
I’m glad I had it, Andy at GD is a Very nice helpful chap and a pleasure to deal with, do I miss it, on a sunny day yes and no. Weirdly though I have started looking at them again, a 289 Hawk seems to attract my interest now, glutton for punishment I suspect
looks like a nice one, so many brands that make those and so many already made...
I like them cause raw... I hate them cause no up/down side windows, no door lock (but some have those... rare though) not a normal soft-top ala sat Z3 useful and simple.
but the power, say around 2 kg on 1 hp that some have, MMM
so I thought maybe a Daytona coupe, but those are longer and Havier (most)
although those pictures above I posted (also rare model) are Cobra lenght with fixed top etc.
but I agree, the cabrio has something, but I would like door locks, normal side windows, and a good soft top ala Z3. the,,, it would be a great mix and more usefull.
I like them cause raw... I hate them cause no up/down side windows, no door lock (but some have those... rare though) not a normal soft-top ala sat Z3 useful and simple.
but the power, say around 2 kg on 1 hp that some have, MMM
so I thought maybe a Daytona coupe, but those are longer and Havier (most)
although those pictures above I posted (also rare model) are Cobra lenght with fixed top etc.
but I agree, the cabrio has something, but I would like door locks, normal side windows, and a good soft top ala Z3. the,,, it would be a great mix and more usefull.
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