Cobra build....Choice of two but how much??

[AE82GT]

Hi Kit-Car collective,

The garage has been cleared out, the coffers have been filled (just)and it's
new project time......

Cobra, but which one.

Wallet says Pilgrim Sumo
Engineer in me says GD MK3

Has anyone built a G.D? I'm curious as to the sequence of build
and the subsequent out-flow of cash. As I understand the body is one of the
last bits to go on, so how much £ to get to rolling chassis stage with say a
rover V8 or Ford 302 or is it 402

Any info appreciated.

Keep well,

[singlecoil]

The thing to consider is the value of your own labour, of which you will have to input a lot. Generally speaking the less expensive the kit the more labour you will need to provide. The other thing to consider is the value of the finished product, which will ususally be quite a bit less for the less expensive kit.

Taking these things into consideration, only choose the Pilgrim if you absolutely must keep costs pared to the bone.

[AE82GT]

Shortest topic in the world......

"Hello, Gardner Douglas?, I'd like to place an order please..."

Does anyone know how much to get the GD to Rolling stage?

[JONSCZ]

Hi Tom. Unless you have already done so, then re-direct your browser to
www.cobraclub.com and await the fireworks...
Seriously though, the guys (and girls ) on there will sort you out with any problems and advice.
Cheers, Jon
(oh and the answer to your question is as above......!!! - unless you want an AK - like I have - see I told you so about the fireworks )

[Brabus Jord]

factory five?

[CorseChris]

I faced a similar choice a few years back. I opted for the cheaper path and regretted it. Sold the car as soon as I could after I completed it. Whilst the basic kit may be somewhat (or even a fair bit) cheaper, if you intend doing a half-decent job, then all the other parts are going to cost the same, and they make up a large part of the total.

Just my opinion....

[singlecoil]

If I was in your position I would give careful consideration to the idea of simply buying a completed, registered example of the type of cobra you decide on, then take it to pieces and rebuild it, maybe one area at a time, maybe over the winter months (and drive it in the summers)

It will certainly be cheaper, and maybe a lot more fun, as you get to drive a lot sooner.

[AE82GT]

Thanks for input chaps!

Having spent time on the phone to G.D. and Pilgrim I'm set with the G.D.
I agree with Chris, I'll take the slightly slower more ££ route. In the long run it
will be worth it.

The G.D. also sounds like a very well sorted machine!

Right just need to pick some money from my money tree.......LOL

Thanks guys.

[CorseChris]

FWIW, IMO....a good call. Pilgrim may have changed since I built mine, but the product looks remarkably similar.

When I said I faced a similar choice, I should say it was pretty much the exact same choice - I too thought the GD looked like a well engineered product, but convinced myself I could build a good car on a cheap kit. I was wrong.

Very best of luck with the build - hope you enjoy it for years to come!

[p1doc]

i have a friend who built a G.D car but has been trying for over a year to get a roof off them-they dont seenm to care and keep fobbing him off !
martin

[Barry Ashcroft]

What about the DAX?

[Happy Jim]

AE82GT said:

Thanks for input chaps!

Having spent time on the phone to G.D. and Pilgrim I'm set with the G.D.
I agree with Chris, I'll take the slightly slower more ££ route. In the long run it
will be worth it.

The G.D. also sounds like a very well sorted machine!

Right just need to pick some money from my money tree.......LOL

Thanks guys.

I was going to offer you a spin/chat but it looks like your at the other end of the world :-)

You can either go the rolling chassis 1st or the body 1st route (as it drops onto the chassis) so your options for manageing cash flow are probably better going the GD route - and of course it is the better option anyway (who, me? biased...never :-) )

As for engine, don't even think about starting with a Rover and then swapping to a chevy/ford later...there is no cheap way of doing it. If you're going to get bitten by the power bug then start a basic config that can be relativly cheaply upgraded later.

Rgds

Jim

[AE82GT]

Hi jim,
thanks for the offer! I'm going to be moving back in the comming few weeks so I may just take you up on that!!

I'll pm you early march

keep well

[JONSCZ]

Hi again, Tom. Just a word of advice - If you go for a spin out with Jim, then it will cost you LOTS OF MONEY!!!!! I am speaking from experience here...... As he is local to me, he very kindly offered and I went out for a ride in Jim's amazing car in September - thinking I'd not really want a Cobra after all and just wanted to get it out of my system and keep my Lotus, however, less than a month later, the Lotus was sold, I had spent more money than I wanted to (and had!!) and I had a Cobra on my driveway and me wondering what had just happened........
They are superb cars and Jim is a really top bloke (but like I say, start saving up NOW - he is a menace to your bank account.....)
Cheers, Jon

[AE82GT]

Thanks Jon,
I joined the Cobra forum, a gold mine of info!
Having bee garage-less, Tool-less and generally devoid of
toys for the past 4 years I'm itching to get stuck into a project.
I spent a very cold few winters helping my brother in law build a 1954
rover 75 hotrod so it has to have a V8 or i'll be ejected from the family.

Speaking of the cold i'm outside in a sheesha cafe in Dubai killing time before a
flight in a few days home...




Best I start saving, I love the thought of building my own car, good on the
cash flow, good for the soul and totally unique (well almost)

Is your build finished yet? if not, whilst I'm in that neck of the woods and if you don't
mind I would love to have a goose.

tom

[JONSCZ]

Hi Tom. I bought a ready built one (not sure my skills were up to building one). In fact it was Anthony Hale's (Chimeara on Cobra Club forum) ex show car (he builds them for a living - see here - http://www.absolutehorsepower.co.uk/Home%20Page.ht... ). So, if you want to look at an AK that's ready built, then yes you're more than welcome.
Drop me a PM on the cobraclub forum rather than here.
(I'd carry this thread on via that forum - might get more responses on there rather than here - no offence to P'heads, BTW!!).
Cheers, Jon

Edited by JONSCZ on Wednesday 24th February 13:04

[CorseChris]

Happy Jim said:

AE82GT said:

Thanks for input chaps!

Having spent time on the phone to G.D. and Pilgrim I'm set with the G.D.
I agree with Chris, I'll take the slightly slower more ££ route. In the long run it
will be worth it.

The G.D. also sounds like a very well sorted machine!

Right just need to pick some money from my money tree.......LOL

Thanks guys.

I was going to offer you a spin/chat but it looks like your at the other end of the world :-)

You can either go the rolling chassis 1st or the body 1st route (as it drops onto the chassis) so your options for manageing cash flow are probably better going the GD route - and of course it is the better option anyway (who, me? biased...never :-) )

As for engine, don't even think about starting with a Rover and then swapping to a chevy/ford later...there is no cheap way of doing it. If you're going to get bitten by the power bug then start a basic config that can be relativly cheaply upgraded later.

Rgds

Jim

I'll second that thought about the engine. I've built two cars with Rover engines and in both, I wished I'd gone for Chevy or Ford motors. In my defence, the second one was a rebuild of a Marcos and I replaced a wheezy 3.5 with a warmed over 4.2. Still a bit dissapointed with the results and after a few years reached a point where I decided to either rebuild the car yet again, but with a 350 Chevy or SB Ford, or sell it. I sold it.

[ch427]

i budgeted for around £15k and ended up spending closer to £23k and that was with a second hand 302 engine that i reconditioned, i also still have the roof to do!

[Happy Jim]

AE82GT said:

Hi jim,
thanks for the offer! I'm going to be moving back in the comming few weeks so I may just take you up on that!!

I'll pm you early march

keep well

No probs, any time.

Cheers

Jim

[Happy Jim]

Having thought about it...how do PM's work on PH? I'm used to other Forums that have an inbox and an obvious button to push, I can't see similar here??? am I missing something?