Cobra replicas
Discussion
I'm thinking of buying a second-hand Cobra replica. I'm currently leaning towards Dax Tojeiros as they seem to be reasonably well made and the most common.Anybody has any experience of 'Cobras'? What condition can I expect for £15,000?
However,my basic problem is this; my dream is to fit the car with a tuned big-block and set it up for straight-line speed but can the car handle this sort of power or will it simply twist itself to bits?
However,my basic problem is this; my dream is to fit the car with a tuned big-block and set it up for straight-line speed but can the car handle this sort of power or will it simply twist itself to bits?
With regard to your first question, for £15k, I should think you'd get a pretty decent replica for that.
Have a look on www.findit.co.uk theres one here for £15,000 with a very detailed parts list, this may give you some idea of what you'd be looking at.
HTH
Graham
Have a look on www.findit.co.uk theres one here for £15,000 with a very detailed parts list, this may give you some idea of what you'd be looking at.
HTH
Graham
The Dax Tojeiros is a cracking car no doubt. Certainly all the reviews of the Dax version have been good. It uses Jaguar parts as doners and is well capable of taking the engine forces. I'm with you with a bit of concern for triumph dolomite parts (even the sprint didn't chuck out 300bhp) although steering parts should be fine as they are not taking "the grunt" but the side forces generated by the car. IMHO the weight/speed on conering is comparable to the sprint, so should be fine.
For £15k you would have to go the 2nd hand car route as the Dax kit is £13k + doner parts etc. will come well over £15k (looking at £20k+).
Hope that helps.
For £15k you would have to go the 2nd hand car route as the Dax kit is £13k + doner parts etc. will come well over £15k (looking at £20k+).
Hope that helps.
Dax make their own steering racks maybe you can replace the current one. Also when I went to Harlow they had a 500ci big block there which should be good for at least 600bhp. I'm having the 383ci stroker fitted with 450bhp as the small block weighs a lot less it should mean it corners as well as it goes in a straight line, but apparently you can get the 383ci to push out 550bhp (not sure how civilized at lower revs though). Just a thought
I'm a Dax Tojeiro owner, though mine's powered by a featherweight Rover V8, albeit a tuned one! My own experience having built it myself is that the Dax is a quality kit and the people at Dax are very helpful. 
Your plan is a good one - there are plenty of Dax's around with Big Blocks including Dax's own demonstrator which IIRC is 454 ci BB Chevy powered and well worth a visit to Harlow to see. I've also seen one which had a tuned 500+ ci BB Chevy(what's that about 8 and a bit litres!?) running through pretty much open side pipes. Sounded fantastic. Apparently if you floored it at 70mph in top gear it would light up the rear tyres.
I don't think the Dolomite steering is an issue - more recent kits use Sierra columns anyway - but take a look at one and I'm sure you'll conclude it's well engineered.
I reckon you should comfortably get something for Sub £15k. You see lots advertised for silly money, probably by people who think they can recover every last penny they've ploughed into the car, but I doubt anything like the asking price is ever achieved.
Your best bet might be to pick up a Rover powered car as the lowest cost starting point then drop in your Big Block (no this is not a thinly disguised attempt to try and flog you mine!
). My car started out as someone else's abandoned project that they had never got going on, and came with Jag V12 engine mounts. Cutting them out and welding in the new mounts was easy. Dax supplied all the bits of metal and measurements I needed.
Good luck and keep us posted!
Chris
edited to fix spelling
>> Edited by Chris_N on Monday 7th April 13:12
Your plan is a good one - there are plenty of Dax's around with Big Blocks including Dax's own demonstrator which IIRC is 454 ci BB Chevy powered and well worth a visit to Harlow to see. I've also seen one which had a tuned 500+ ci BB Chevy(what's that about 8 and a bit litres!?) running through pretty much open side pipes. Sounded fantastic. Apparently if you floored it at 70mph in top gear it would light up the rear tyres.
I don't think the Dolomite steering is an issue - more recent kits use Sierra columns anyway - but take a look at one and I'm sure you'll conclude it's well engineered.
I reckon you should comfortably get something for Sub £15k. You see lots advertised for silly money, probably by people who think they can recover every last penny they've ploughed into the car, but I doubt anything like the asking price is ever achieved.
Your best bet might be to pick up a Rover powered car as the lowest cost starting point then drop in your Big Block (no this is not a thinly disguised attempt to try and flog you mine!
). My car started out as someone else's abandoned project that they had never got going on, and came with Jag V12 engine mounts. Cutting them out and welding in the new mounts was easy. Dax supplied all the bits of metal and measurements I needed. Good luck and keep us posted!
Chris
edited to fix spelling
>> Edited by Chris_N on Monday 7th April 13:12
Thanks for the replies.I've followed your advice and a 500ci Chevy with Hewland gearbox is on its way from the States.
That leaves the small question of the car...a Tojeiro with a fcucked-up Jag V12 (but otherwise in fantastic condition)in Rome seems Heaven-sent.I'm having a look this weekend.My fiancee thinks we're going to visit her relatives there
That leaves the small question of the car...a Tojeiro with a fcucked-up Jag V12 (but otherwise in fantastic condition)in Rome seems Heaven-sent.I'm having a look this weekend.My fiancee thinks we're going to visit her relatives there
Take a look on www.ac427.com ...Thay can also answer any question you pose...
VERY good luck.I know you're not supposed to buy the first car you look at but I don't think it gets much better than this.The professionally-built car is two years old and has 2100 miles.The owner just wanted to get rid of it as the Jag engine had been a money drain since Day 1.(Brilliant!I'd have junked the engine anyway.)I haggled him down to the equivalent of £11,400 and the car is now on its way to Malta.I'll probably upgrade the brakes and differential and it may be some time before the car is completely ready but I'll definitely keep you posted.
Thanks for all your help,I must admit that I was quite sceptical about kits at first but I was impressed by the quality of the DAX.I'll be over in England in Summer and a visit to Harlow is on the cards.
Thanks for all your help,I must admit that I was quite sceptical about kits at first but I was impressed by the quality of the DAX.I'll be over in England in Summer and a visit to Harlow is on the cards.
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