911 vs. Cobra

scoll911 · 10-20-2004, 03:51 PM

After two rebuilds, double digit engine drops, multiple upgrades not to mention the dollars (I'm scared to add up it all up), the engine is rebuilt (1,100 miles) and the car is finally running like champ, The problem is . . . . . I'm bored It is always about the chase, amazing how quickly we forget about the headaches of the work

So, I need your help . . . . I'm debating on selling the 911 and buying a cobra kit. There is a company where I can find a complete kit for about 13,000 (minus drivetrain).

Thoughts??????

I saw a Speed Channel show on Cobra's and I think they must have used some evil subliminal mind control.

K. Roman · K. Roman's Garage

Bye.

aigel · aigel's Garage

Now it is time to go to the track with the 911. That way you will be busy with track events! Then many upgrades and mechanical problems willl keep you busy the rest of the time! Also, your will not have to worry about leftover money!

The cobras are okay, but they are too common and don't do well for what they are on the track ...

G

klaucke · 10-20-2004, 04:03 PM

I thought the Cobra's were great on the track? How would a stock Cobra of the 60's fare against, say, a 69 S or the like?

creaturecat · 10-20-2004, 04:05 PM

Have you driven one? these cars are totally crude and obnoxious. Some people prefer this; My friend scared the living be-jesus out of me, i couldn't get out of it quick enough, upon jumping out I got the obligatory leg burn off the idiotic side pipe as well!

scoll911 · 10-20-2004, 04:05 PM

According to the show, Cobras dominated everything here in the states and with some minor mods everything abroad.

cantdrv55 · 10-20-2004, 04:09 PM

Wow, I didn't think Cobras are all that common. I say keep the 911 because you can't drive the Cobra in the rain.

klaucke · 10-20-2004, 04:13 PM

The Cobras are sweet (I've seen the show and want a Cobra now, too) but realize, once you make the Cobra, you'll be right back where you are now, wanting another project. In fact I'm in the same boat now that I fixed my car, I'm wanting another project Porsche. If you really can't get by just driving it, make a 911R or RS or ST etc. project out of it.

aigel · aigel's Garage

If you want to drive the cobra on the track, you need serious rollover protection. It will definitely hurt in the looks department. The cool little bar or bars you get with the kit won't cut it.

The cobra replicas are a dime a dozen in the local CA toy stores. Horrible builds, some with automatic transmissions! In my eyes you really have to do an outstanding job to stand out from the crowd.

I'd rather tackle a repro GT350 or something else with a roof. And if it's gotta be a kit and roofless, why not a flat six powered speedster or spyder???

George

Rob Channell · 10-20-2004, 04:15 PM

Some Cobra kits are good on the track and some are just for show.
Factory Five Racing makes a nice Cobra kit with one of the more rigid frame designs. It will be a fine car by the time you spend $13k on the kit and another $12-16k on the other parts and paint, etc. It may take more than that to make a really nice one with good reliable power and a good handling suspension.

I plan to build one one day as the Cobra was my first dream car from age 12 or so. I don't plan on getting rid of the Porsche to do it, though. Something tells me the handling will dissappoint me in the understeering pig fashion.

Good Luck.....and PM me a picture if you decide to build one.

Bill Verburg · Bill Verburg's Garage

One of my neighbors has a kit Cobra, very nice, looks and sounds great, but its not something you drive much, a 911 even in semi race trim is something you willl want to drive all the time.

I think C&D recently did a comparo which included a Cobra which finished last(also had a ~$32k price tag)

Go w/ your gut though

rrpjr · 10-20-2004, 04:27 PM

I understand. Cobra has exerted a pull on my imagintion for just about as long as Porsche.

One day in 1967 I tagged along with my father to Bud Grossman's facility in Nyack, NY. Grossman, a retired race car driver of some note, had become a gentleman importer and dealer. My father, rather bored with whatever car he had then (I think it was an Alpha), was looking at various cars on Grossman's lot, including a burnished silver Masserati Ghibli (my choice). He opted for a 911Ss, a Polo Red coupe. I was relatively unexcited by this. "Porsche" meant little to this 8-year-old, and didn't look nearly as cool as the Ghibli nor as likely to impress my friends. But the car was a "screamer," as they say, and through my father's excellent driving and narratives, I began to appreciate Porsche as something altogether unique. So began my affection. A few weeks later on a return service visit, my older brother and I were ambling about the area when we came upon a large shed. Inside we saw two beastly looking shapes under tarps. Grossman took off the tarps to reveal a pair of original, Carroll Shelby-built AC Bristol Cobras. My brother and I were in awe. Grossman let us climb over the door (no handles) and sit in the cockpits. We begged my father to buy one. But he stayed with the Porsche. I suppose those cars are worth at least a $ half-million a piece today.

Along with Porsche, this is the only car that turns my head.

DavidI · 10-20-2004, 04:34 PM

Cobras are awesome cars. Especially if you do it right and set it up with a 427 Big Block. I have a friend with one and it is a hell of a car to drive. One day I am going to build one too.

David

Adam · Adam's Garage

Sure, they look awesome, but if you're as tall as me (6'2"), then you're going to have serious problems driving one.

Try one out for size before you talk yourself out of the SC.

efhughes3 · efhughes3's Garage

I was seriously looking at the Factory Five kits before I got my 911. They are awesome, and would be fun to build. But, as mentioned above, not as "streetable" as one of our cars.

scoll911 · 10-20-2004, 05:35 PM

I'm looking at the factory five kit everything I read states it is a solid kit. I think I need to take a test ride or test fit. I'm 6'2" and no where near as svelte as I used to be.

Before looking a Cobras, I was princing parts for a RS or RSR -- I'm lovin the look of this

[img]

scoll911 · 10-20-2004, 05:35 PM

I'm looking at the factory five kit everything I read states it is a solid kit. I think I need to take a test ride or test fit. I'm 6'2" and no where near as svelte as I used to be.

Before looking a Cobras, I was pricing parts for a RS or RSR -- I'm lovin the look of this

project935 · 10-20-2004, 06:09 PM

If you go Factory5, go Daytona Coupe - much more unique.

Rob Channell · 10-20-2004, 06:13 PM

Sweet. If you build something like that you better plan on getting some SERIOUS power to push it through the air. Go for a 3.6 and do a turbo or supercharger. If you don't have the budget then just use a factory 3.6 and when rebuild time comes, upgrade to a 3.8 turbo.......Oh, yeah I almost forgot. Once the car is looking like that picture you can sell it to me for a substantial discount so you can start on your Cobra.

That's much like my long term plan for my car, except for the selling part. Right now all I have is a stock 3.2 liter. I plan to keep my narrow SC flares, possibly doing a 73 RS backdate and then eventually go the 3.6 route. The flares do look cool, but they add quite a bit of drag, and I'm already running 275's in the rear. How much tire do I really NEED for a daily driver?........Wait a minute, maybe I shouldn't ask that here.

AFC-911 · 10-20-2004, 06:22 PM

Wow, just wow!!! There's no way I'd take a Cobra over that 911...ok, maybe if it was free.

Your choice, really, but given that you already have a Porsche, why not just make an RS or RSR project out of it? Like the one in the picture (only without the vents on the hood, IMO).