Cobra replica/kit questions

[Alloy Dave]

1) Do the wheels come off with one large lug nut or 5 separate ones?

2) What is the difference between a Superformance car and other kits?

3) Why do the speedometers read backwards?

4) This may seem like a dumb question, but what's the diff between a convertible and a roadster? Neither has a top, right?

5) I know the "old" engines are popular in these cars, but does anyone put modern FI engines in them and why not? Ruin the "old style" feel of the car?

6) What size gas tank do they have typically?

7) If you get rock chips in fiberglass, is it easy to repair or touch up?

8) What manual trans options are common?

9) What type of clutches are typically used?

10) Keith, what are some of the pros and cons versus a "normal" hi perf car? Headers burn your legs?

[68fastback]

1) Do the wheels come off with one large lug nut or 5 separate ones?

I suspect they're available both ways

2) What is the difference between a Superformance car and other kits?

Different chassis designs among other things

3) Why do the speedometers read backwards?

They're from the middle east?

4) This may seem like a dumb question, but what's the diff between a convertible and a roadster? Neither has a top, right?

No, a vert has a top -- which may or may not be up. A roadster doesn't.

5) I know the "old" engines are popular in these cars, but does anyone put modern FI engines in them and why not? Ruin the "old style" feel of the car?

Yes, most will put whatever you want [that fits] in them.

6) What size gas tank do they have typically?

About the size of a bread box

7) If you get rock chips in fiberglass, is it easy to repair or touch up?

Nothing is easy to repair

8) What manual trans options are common?

Borg Warner T-10s used to be ...on the big blocks anyhow.

9) What type of clutches are typically used?

You name it ...pretty much whatever you want

10) Keith, what are some of the pros and cons versus a "normal" hi perf car? Headers burn your legs?

[ Ouch!!!]

Dave, depending on the car/kit vendor and who's doing the build you can have just about whatever your heart desires.

There are even 'original' Ford GT kits/builds that are virtually identical piece for piece ...and with or without knock-off hubs too.

[twobjshelbys]

I had a Shelby CSX. Many of these have no simple answer

1) Do the wheels come off with one large lug nut or 5 separate ones?
Most of the "more accurate" replicas will use a real knockoff spinner. Those that build on the front end of a donor car will use regular wheels/lugs.

2) What is the difference between a Superformance car and other kits?
This is unanswerable in this forum. Please refer to www.clubcobra.com for endless topics on this very subject. Superformance is one of the better becasue it's not really a kit - its a "finished roller", like Shelby CSX cars, ie, all you do is add engine and transmission. Other manufacturers (Factory Five, Backdraft) have rollers but also kits you literally assemble body parts. The merits go down the more work you do yourself. I've seen some good FF and BD cars, but typically poor. Kits and fiberglass are hard work.

3) Why do the speedometers read backwards?
Because if it didn't it wouldn't be original? Seriously, I think it is becasue of the way the original gauges were made since it eliminated a gear.

4) This may seem like a dumb question, but what's the diff between a convertible and a roadster? Neither has a top, right?
Convertible has a top, roadsters do not.

5) I know the "old" engines are popular in these cars, but does anyone put modern FI engines in them and why not? Ruin the "old style" feel of the car?
Again, the more authentic you want to be will drive your engine choice. Many still prefer a 60's style big block "side oiler". Some prefer a time correct Windsor bored/stroked. Few will put a small displacement in a 427 style car. Most will put a 302 in a small block car (CSX2000 clone) All of these can be fuel injected with a "faux 8-stack" system that looks like webers. I had a Roush427CI DFI. A word of caution: These open intake systems require some voodoo, black magic and magic floobie dust to get fuel injection working. I was on the verge of reverting to carbs but my issues were altitude related. At normal altitudes they do well.

Very few people put a new technology (ie, Coyote) engine in a Cobra. Proper operation of the ECU requires cats which do not fit with side exhaust. A few people put a Chevy engine in a Cobra. These are usually true kits and do not sell well.

6) What size gas tank do they have typically?
I think mine was 23 gallons. Expect 9MPG. Roughly 200 mile range. That's all you can stand sitting in it without a break anyway.

7) If you get rock chips in fiberglass, is it easy to repair or touch up?
Depends. Sometimes it's no worse than paint on a steel body. Big rocks can leave star checks that may require fiberglass work which would turn it into a major project. I've seen a lot of glass cars and never saw a check from rocks. Watch out for big hail though.

8) What manual trans options are common?
Most use a Tremec speed. Die hards want the period correct Ford. Some even use automatics.

9) What type of clutches are typically used?
Mine was Mcleod.

10) Keith, what are some of the pros and cons versus a "normal" hi perf car? Headers burn your legs?
You will probably burn your leg on the side pipes. Most people that easily learn from their mistakes will do it once. Many will do it more than once. That is where the term "snake bite" comes from.

But it's much more serious than that. Cobras are among the highest death rate vehicles. They are Monstrous, with way more horse power and torque than the originals and the new engines. Mine whispered in my ear "I'm going to kill you" in that snakey hiss every time I got in it. I had two incidents where my rear end broke loose - one on cold pavement, the other on wet, both during a shift. They are

It's a man's car. Braking is WORK. Steering is WORK.

You will no more take a Cobra out in a rain storm than you would a Harley.

The heat on the drivers feet is horrible. I wore sandals and got cooked. Started wearing closed shoes more often. Your passengers will be delighted the first time you take them on a ride becasue it's exciting. After an hour they will want to kill you as the passenger compartment gets even more heat on your feet than the driver. Most people I knew weren't interested in going again. They are a driver's car - drivers ignore the inconveniences, passengers think they are being tortured. Additionally, shoulder harnesses should NEVER be used by a passenger unless that side has a roll bar (which 99.9% do not). In the end my wife would not get in the Cobra which is why I sold it.

I would recommend you take a look at some cars at local car shows. Every Cars and Coffee I've ever been to has regulars. Sit in the drivers seat.

But really, go to club cobra. Sort out all of the basic crap.

I'll start off betting that if you buy one it will be for sale in 2 years or less. If you build a kit, the kit will not be completed and the kit will be sold in 5 years unfinished. That's just the averages.

P.S. After the GT is sold I will likely get another Cobra, probably a small block car. The 427 cars engine never felt it was being used properly on the street. The smaller displacement engine is much more streetable.

[Carnut]

1) Do the wheels come off with one large lug nut or 5 separate ones?
The one large lug nut is known as a knock off, most kits offer either, the knock offs requiring a special wheel and hub. They are also more expensive

2) What is the difference between a Superformance car and other kits?
A Superperformance comes a complete car, painted and upholstered less engine and transmission. Soon they will be able to sell you a complete car. Car kits like Factory Five are fairly complete put you have to put it all together, paint it, upholster it etc. It also comes less engine and transmission, as well as various options for the rear end and suspension.

3) Why do the speedometers read backwards?
The backward speedometers are made by Smith, the British supplier in the original Cobras. They come with Superperformance cars and other kits have options.

4) This may seem like a dumb question, but what's the diff between a convertible and a roadster? Neither has a top, right?
As far as Cobra kit cars are concerned, they are roadsters. Convertible it really an incorrect term for these cars.

5) I know the "old" engines are popular in these cars, but does anyone put modern FI engines in them and why not? Ruin the "old style" feel of the car?
Being a kit, people put all kinds of motors in them to include modern 5.0 Coyote engines. Most people put in older small blocks but some do modern FE's, 460's and newer 427 crate motors. There have been a few apostates that have put Chebbie motors in them.
6) What size gas tank do they have typically?
16 gallon donors from Mustangs are popular but again you can put in whatever you can fit including racing fuel cells
7) If you get rock chips in fiberglass, is it easy to repair or touch up?
It's paint, common techniques and materials mostly.
8) What manual trans options are common?
Most common are T*5 variants, most 6 speeds are too long to fit the short distance between the engine and rear end. Really short wheel base car these are. A few people have installed automatics but that is not very popular and makes them worth less usually.
9) What type of clutches are typically used?
Typical clutches for the engine transmission combination, some are cable and some are hydraulic operated.
10) Keith, what are some of the pros and cons versus a "normal" hi perf car? Headers burn your legs?

Exposure to the heat and cold are the biggest cons, rain and snow are also cons, but that is part of the macho experience. If you're a woozy, go buy a Corvette.

[68fastback]

Exposure to the heat and cold are the biggest cons, rain and snow are also cons, but that is part of the macho experience. If you're a woozy, go buy a Corvette.

...don't forget the Hawaiian golf shirt

[Carnut]

[Tommy Gun]

Tony tells us all that and basically says never ever buy one...then says he's buying another one.


Guess he likes to ride without the wife.

[twobjshelbys]

Tony tells us all that and basically says never ever buy one...then says he's buying another one.


Guess he likes to ride without the wife.

Yep. Read below. And Yep, she won't go but then she decided she didn't like going in the GT either - basically she just doesn't like car shows and listening to people talk about them. Oh well.

Here is the text from a current ebay Cobra ad. It pretty much is the nutshell description

This car has the worst ride quality, your feet burn from the massive engine the other side of the firewall, your face & hands get cold from the breeze, your legs are canted to the left, the seats do not support you, its loud, obnoxious and vibrates light a jack hammer, if you stop concentrating it wants to kill you at every opportunity but I promise the smile will never leave your face. It is by far the most fun you can have behind the wheel.

P.S. People who can really control a Cobra won't have any problems with any other car.

[Tommy Gun]

It's still cool

[Joe G]

Tony tells us all that and basically says never ever buy one...then says he's buying another one.


Guess he likes to ride without the wife.

Kinda like you and CP with the Shelby, Turd, Spyder... etc.