Anyone built one? Any good? Looking at the kit prices and they seem cheap for a really good looking car.

Cheers, Jon

thats what Mark Evens built.
http://www.i2itelevision.com/a-car-is-born.php

I built a Mark II (which has different suspension to the Mk III).

TBH I found the build easier than the Robin Hood I'm currently working on . You can glean a lot of info from www.cobraclub.com and by attending local meets and shows (to look over the cars in person and ask silly questions of other builders).

The rolling chassis build is pretty straightforward using Ford Sierra/Granada 3 running gear. The GRP body is actualy pretty good quality but the doors need a bit of fettling to get perfect and there is a definite art to fitting the body (usually paying someone else to do it).

Strangely, leaving refurbing the running gear to one side, the cost of the different Cobra kits is not that different although the end value will be! Major expenses are engine/gearbox, brightwork, wheels, screen, paint job and interior - these costs are pretty much the same whichever kit you are building.

For what its worth AK in Peterborough seem to have the most satisfied customer base

I was going to build one but money ( and wife) dictated otherwise. For the money they are good but they don't look right to me. The Crendon and Hawk are the only two that look authentic. Dax and GD are ok.

I would still have a Sumo if i could afford it and they look simple enough to build.

Mmmm, hawk 427

Ditto on the Hawk - is a lovely piece of machinery....

Chap around the road built one, he has absolutely no engineering skill at all but can polish like a demon and follow an instruction book.

7 years later and around £9000 he has a really nice example of a pilgrim sumo.

The body is pretty good, doors were an art to fit and he spent a lot of time fiddling about.

IMHO the chassis and a lot of the bits are agricultural but each to his own.

For me it would have to be a jag based frame with a yank v8 up front.

Regards Mark

GD actually use body moulds from the last GRP Cobra, so must be the most accurate replica

Following a lengthy thread on the Cobra Club site, I think you'll find that all the GRP bodies in UK derived from two cars - originals were handmade and repaired - hence you can't find a GRP kity in this country that has a perfect body.

Ultimate would be an aluminium body from Kirkham but they fetch £18,000 on their own.

My grandfather used to work for AC back in the late 50's. I wish he nicked stuff and left them to me....would be worth a good few quid!!

Met (well have worked with) a bloke who races a kirkham .......... rich pretty much sums him up

I wonder if you could do a lightweight special, no screen, GRP seats, no trim and make it very Locost, just keep the nice body and use a bigger engine than in a seven. Haven't seen such a car on photos though... an idea maybe...

Gergely