I share a FF Cobra with my dad. It's a Mark IV we built years ago together and have about 5200 miles on. Our car is an IRS unit using the upgraded 03-04 Cobra diff with custom pin drive axles. This allows for a 315 mm rear tire and a deep wheel. Car rides great and turns stupid quick. Ours runs about 475hp and a Tremec which is a good balance of power/weight for reference. I've never weighed it but it feels like 2500 or so lbs. Yeah it's a fair weather car, but it's one of the collection that gets warmed up on a nice night or a fall cruise. On the right day, I 100% guarantee you it's the perfect car. If people ask me if it's real I just tell them I don't know. I bought the FF car because of the value. I didn't want a show car or a car that's "accurate ". I'm no purist. My research showed me it was the best engineered frame and suspension out there. After seeing several competitive products apart at a local Cobra specialist, I'm glad I bought what I bought. Yes, the Superformance and the ERA are more "accurate" cars, but I'm in mine $42k done and unless you're building a car to admire from a lawn chair who cares. Build time should be 18 months or less including paint jail. If you need references or help let me know.
Good info! And spot on. The FF models were built to "race" or in other words -- have an up to date competitive suspension etc. Whereas the Superperformance brand is much more "replica". HUGE difference in costs --- but like everything --- there are reasons for that usually. One is a "kit car" designed for DYI -- one is built and sold as a car ready for motor and transmission of your choice.
Personally - I've never seen any of them - regardless of quality or fit and finish etc --- that I didn't swivel my head and think --- damn! I need one of those! LOL
I share a FF Cobra with my dad. It's a Mark IV we built years ago together and have about 5200 miles on. Our car is an IRS unit using the upgraded 03-04 Cobra diff with custom pin drive axles. This allows for a 315 mm rear tire and a deep wheel. Car rides great and turns stupid quick. Ours runs about 475hp and a Tremec which is a good balance of power/weight for reference. I've never weighed it but it feels like 2500 or so lbs. Yeah it's a fair weather car, but it's one of the collection that gets warmed up on a nice night or a fall cruise. On the right day, I 100% guarantee you it's the perfect car. If people ask me if it's real I just tell them I don't know. I bought the FF car because of the value. I didn't want a show car or a car that's "accurate ". I'm no purist. My research showed me it was the best engineered frame and suspension out there. After seeing several competitive products apart at a local Cobra specialist, I'm glad I bought what I bought. Yes, the Superformance and the ERA are more "accurate" cars, but I'm in mine $42k done and unless you're building a car to admire from a lawn chair who cares. Build time should be 18 months or less including paint jail. If you need references or help let me know.
Like Greg said great write-up.
My fav... "On the right day, I 100% guarantee you it's the perfect car."
Thanks for those insights; very helpful.
Nice vid flogging some of the very loud FF offerings.
Factory Five w/331 destroked SBF efi motor. Best lap 1:49.
And if a Cobra replica is good enough for Bob Bondurant...
Bob personally told me the Cobra was "the worst car he ever raced".....
Here is why - when you're on track - you ALWAYS wear protective helmet - clothing - REAL BELTS - and have a roll cage/bar!! WTF ...... and you never ASSume everything will be just fine. You can blow a tire - break suspension - hit oil/anti-freeze.... have someone spinning.... someone tags you (even a bump can push you off track!)
Thanks for posting that vid. Having watched a number of Cobras being tracked, I wouldn't race one either for all the reasons you mentioned.
We have a huge deer population out here crossing all these 55mph back roads we have to travel on constantly. A family friend was just killed when he hit a deer on his motorcycle...and it doesn't look like a Cobra offers all that much more protection than a bike. He was just buried last weekend, so something that wasn't forefront in my thinking now is...for now at least.
A t-top C3 might be the best way to get a mostly open air experience, plus still offer more protection then a Cobra replica/C2 roadster; for blasting along these back roads.
I'm open minded on all 3 choices right now. Gotta drive all of them and see what's what.
Thanks for posting that vid. Having watched a number of Cobras being tracked, I wouldn't race one either for all the reasons you mentioned.
We have a huge deer population out here crossing all these 55mph back roads we have to travel on constantly. A family friend was just killed when he hit a deer on his motorcycle...and it doesn't look like a Cobra offers all that much more protection than a bike. He was just buried last weekend, so something that wasn't forefront in my thinking now is...for now at least.
IIRC you like C3's about as much as a certain medical procedure, but a t-top C3 might be the best way to get a mostly open air experience, plus still offer more protection then a Cobra replica/C2 roadster; for blasting along these back roads.
I'm open minded on all 3 choices right now. Gotta drive all of them and see what's what.
If we're making a run to Boise (3 hours one way) and either need to start out early -- or be coming back at dusk --- I drive the pickup not the Porsche... for that very reason. We have Pronghorn Antelope - Elk - and Deer up the wazee around here. I don't need one thru the windshield. Now -- I'm not a "fatalist" or anything -- but I do try to minimize the challenges....
Obviously anything can happen at any time..... and there is a certain aspect of AVOIDANCE and a car with superior braking and handling might be able to avoid the problem.
My post of the Cobra wreck was more because I saw a passenger in the Bondurant video with ZERO protection - a lap belt - no helmet - no roll bar - on track..... even with experienced drivers -- stuff happens and it happens quickly.
I was at Oregon Raceway Park for a weekend event -- prior to the event Palatov had the track for testing their Pikes Peak car. Of course I had my nose in there talking to them etc. The driver asked if I'd like to go along on a track test. I asked -- "should I suit up etc?" --- He said --- You know what? I've never planned to have an accident -- but I've had plenty -- so since I never know when that's going to happen in advance.... I always suit up. DONE. Advice I don't forget.
Skip, from what I've been reading here, I'd say a Vette is the way to go....if you fit. My hotrod (I call it my medicine) has two wheels and is used in the same way you're looking to "get away". I don't go out when it's raining but I've been rained on plenty of times, the flip side is the heat. The NW isn't known for having extreme temperatures in the summer but I can tell you, it's no fun sitting on a hot bike with the sun beating down on you. It gets exhausting and "this isn't fun anymore" pretty quick.
The weekend get away I just returned from had some great roads and beautiful scenery. I thought quite a bit about what kind of car would give the same feel and experience as a bike but also be comfortable. It wouldn't be a Cobra or Vette for me but it would have AC and a ragtop for sure.
If we're making a run to Boise (3 hours one way) and either need to start out early -- or be coming back at dusk --- I drive the pickup not the Porsche... for that very reason. We have Pronghorn Antelope - Elk - and Deer up the wazee around here. I don't need one thru the windshield. Now -- I'm not a "fatalist" or anything -- but I do try to minimize the challenges....
Obviously anything can happen at any time..... and there is a certain aspect of AVOIDANCE and a car with superior braking and handling might be able to avoid the problem.
My post of the Cobra wreck was more because I saw a passenger in the Bondurant video with ZERO protection - a lap belt - no helmet - no roll bar - on track..... even with experienced drivers -- stuff happens and it happens quickly.
I was at Oregon Raceway Park for a weekend event -- prior to the event Palatov had the track for testing their Pikes Peak car. Of course I had my nose in there talking to them etc. The driver asked if I'd like to go along on a track test. I asked -- "should I suit up etc?" --- He said --- You know what? I've never planned to have an accident -- but I've had plenty -- so since I never know when that's going to happen in advance.... I always suit up. DONE. Advice I don't forget.
Good stuff Greg....thanks.
Yes, I didn't like seeing that guy with Bob Bondurant, aka 'Ferrari t-shirt guy', totally unprotected like that. Not cool.
Not a good feeling driving amidst all those big critters, is it...
Skip, from what I've been reading here, I'd say a Vette is the way to go....if you fit. My hotrod (I call it my medicine) has two wheels and is used in the same way you're looking to "get away". I don't go out when it's raining but I've been rained on plenty of times, the flip side is the heat. The NW isn't known for having extreme temperatures in the summer but I can tell you, it's no fun sitting on a hot bike with the sun beating down on you. It gets exhausting and "this isn't fun anymore" pretty quick.
The weekend get away I just returned from had some great roads and beautiful scenery. I thought quite a bit about what kind of car would give the same feel and experience as a bike but also be comfortable. It wouldn't be a Cobra or Vette for me but it would have AC and a ragtop for sure.
Thanks Bash.
I like bikes, and I know a soon to be 81 year old fellow that still rides, long distances too, which I think is very cool.
Good point about how well does one fit in a Vette, (or a Cobra for that matter), and how long would it be comfortable.
I've had an Arnst/Butler and a Superformance Cobra. Both great cars. Both had modified seats, but the Superformance was the only comfortable one to sit in at 6'5" tall. Also had more foot box room.
11.11 @ 128 on street tires was a lot of fun, but for some reason I didn't keep either car very long. My wife says I look embarrassed when I was driving it, like I didn't want all the attention they bring. That could be.
I sat in a friends 66 427 roadster Vette. That had less room than my Cobra lol. No head room at all, and the seat didn't go nearly far enough back for me. Not sure how big and tall you are but you need to get in one of these cars first and make sure you fit.
Brian Hobaugh SCCA National Tour June 2014
First Hemi 'Cuda Convertible Ever Built
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