Here I am at 62 years old about to embark on a dream that I have harboured since I was 16..I want an AC Cobra.
In 1966 I wasn't aware of replicas as I'm sure there weren't any but as a 16 year old boy who was into the Rolling Stones big time (and still am) and keen on cars, looking at the cover of magazines at the time featuring Cobras would mezmerise me.
My dream has been growing stronger for many years and now I find myself in a position to do some thing about it. I have developed a quandry on what kit to buy, should I have it built for me, how much of the work can I do myself, you know, the usual hassles when embarking on a project like this. I have done a lot of research on the internet and read some posts from others who have or are building Cobras but the information is fairly sparce and after discounting the mountain of comments from those that don't seem to have any thing better to do than bag some another persons efforts I am starting to get a better idea of how to go about all this.
Through my research I found what to me is the ultimate Cobra based on the sheer good looks of the car and the quality of construction. This Cobra is produced by a South African company called Backdraft Racing. They supply the cars in what they call "turn key minus" which is complete with the exception of motor and trans which allows the customer to use their own combination to comply with regulations.
One big problem that is emerging is the ADR requirements. During email discussions with BDR I was told that they have appointed an agent in Western Australia who is currently working on ADR requirements. I believe the first shipment of cars has just arrived or are about to so I wait with baited breath to hear more on this. I have also found another South African Cobra being distributed in Australia called Superformance which also is a very good car but very expensive. I have heard of these being used in racing but not sure of their ADR compliance.
I am not looking to replicate an original Cobra but it must look right. I have seen some cars where the proportions are just wrong and they loose that unique look of agression that a Cobra must display, even when it's asleep in the garage and it MUST have working side pipes, here comes the ADR's again. The interior must be faithful as well so long as it is practicle like the right dash layout, steering wheel or close to it and the seats. The ADR specify appropriate head rests but that doesnt necessarily mean a set of Falcon bucket seats. There is a great choice of great engines available now so that is not a problem but I don't think rocking up to VicRoads with 427 FE Side Oiler jammed between the rails is a very smart idea.
Over time I will continue to post little snipets of information on the progress of my mental deliberations until such time as I have fired the first shot and spent some money, then I can say, along with many others "I am building an AC Cobra".
These posts are all about what I want to do and how I think things should be and how God really created Cobras
See ya next time
