I really can't believe that 12 months has passed since I last posted on my blog. During the past year, I have learned more about the Cobra as an icon and how to go about building a copy of this icon than I imagined. No longer do I see it as a most desirable sports car that I had a passion for but truely iconic.
At the start I had a strong desire to build a Cobra and a vision to what it should be. Although my veiws are as strong as ever as to what I want to achieve, I have had my knowledge expanded by reading the Cobra Forums and following other peoples ideas and learning what is available and have developed a very healthy respect in the manner in which I see other builders go about doing what they do and how they overcome problems.
I have spent virtually every night for the last 12 months searching the web, looking up manufactures, reading ADR's and I actually went through a stage where I said "this is all too hard". I have created a spread sheet of components and prices and have changed it a hundred times. I have learned all about what I can't do but not much of what I can do, I have a daily ritual where I light the candles and burn the incense (and pour the red wine) as I open up the Australian Cobra Forum to see what little gems are on display today and even though I have not contributed I have a sense of getting to understand the personalities of the contributors and the banter that goes with it.
Through all of this research I have come to the conclusion that if one is to enbark on a project such as a Cobra it has to be done right. I had predetermined ideas of design, components, budget (don't mention the bloody budget) and what all of this is going to mean in the end. To see how others have put into action there own veiws of what a Cobra should be has been an eye opener, I have learned that it is open to interprtation. Some see the car as a show piece, others want to rip around Winton shedding rubber. One thing in all of this that is conclusive is that the original budget that I had anticipated is now rolling around on the floor laughing its bits of, well so be it. This has been the most interesting year of learning and finding out what I didn't know and if you think this is the end, well, I am more fired up than ever as I can now see and feel what I am looking at, my vision has progressed at such a pace (now there is a hint) that the only thing capable of outstripping the vision is the budget but at the moment we are still friends..well sort of.
I am now in discussions with manufacturers and am mightly impressed with two of them but one is shining through with a product that will stand this industry on it's ear to the point that the folding is about to be laid on the table as I believe they have the goods, more on this later.
I will be making a move in the not too distant future and will add to this blog on a more regular basis and will become involved in the club and contribute to the forum, so to all of the owners, builders and enthusiasts, thanks for your contributions as I am one who has learned a lot from what you have to say.
Monday, 15 April 2013
Friday, 13 April 2012
In The Beginning........
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
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)