Best Budget Cobra Replica?

Hello all!

Kinda new to the topic, but I have been looking at Shelby Cobra replicas and would love to get one within the next year or so. Doing my best to research and plan, but have a few unanswered questions.

What I am looking for: a PRE-BUILT or turnkey replica. Although I have experience working on classic cars, I have no interest in building one from a kit. Looking to hop in and drive - the authenticity of the replica to the real Cobras does not matter to me.  Although a 427 would be great, it is surely not a dealbreaker for me. 

Modifications I would be willing to do: Don't want to be messing with anything huge. I would love a hardtop one if possible (I may have to do this custom as they are kinda hard to find). Also considering adding heat/A/C system and likely a nice sound system. Lastly - I would likely soundproof it as much as possible for better driving experience. Read online that airbag systems wouldn't be an option. 

What I care about: Driveability, safety, and reliability. I am looking to drive it as much as possible (not looking to bring it to the track or 1/4 mile). I don't want to be driving a deathtrap or a show car. Been stuck on the side of the road many times in project cars - no thanks - been there, done that. 

Budget: No more than 50K all in

Different manufacturers have been discussed by many, but I have not found a thread where the OP was looking for similar qualities in the car. Currently considering a prebuilt Factory Five cobra or a Backdraft cobra. From what I have read, the FF cobra offers superior frame quality and construction. However, I have read the suspension on the Backdraft cobras are good due to BMW components. 

I have seen finished FF and BD cobras list for 30-50k online, but not sure which would be a better fit for me. Once I get a better idea, I will be doing some test driving.  

What do you all recommend?

Look at superformance as well.  I helped a friend put a motor and transmission in and it was very well done. 

I have no direct experience for you, but if it was me, I would go FF.  They have been around a very long time and have a top reputation in the kit car business.  Sure, there may be "better" replicars out there, but FF is the one to beat.  "Just as good as a..." FF or whatever, means to me to get the FF or whatever.

I'm sure that with 50 large to blow on it, you could get it pretty much any way you wanted.

$45k buys you a lot of finished factory five cobra. I've been lurking here forever:

https://www.ffcars.com/forums/factory-five-cars-for-sale-by-intercity-lines.18/

I'd get a MK4 built with a 5.0 Coyote. 

Is it the actual nostalgia of the Cobra that does it for you or just the idea of a lot of engine in a little car?  

The reason I ask is because you wrote this:

• What I care about: Driveability, safety, and reliability. I am looking to drive it as much as possible (not looking to bring it to the track or 1/4 mile). I don't want to be driving a deathtrap or a show car. Been stuck on the side of the road many times in project cars - no thanks - been there, done that. 

With that paragraph in mind, I would point you to a V8 Miata from Flyin Miata.  They can sell you turnkey cars or DIY parts

Oh buddy, I'd get a Daytona coupe for myself. This one's a bit over your budget, but hoo boy lookit that sweet thang...

In reply to John Welsh :

Add in concerns about air-conditioning, sound deadening, and airbags, and yeah...Sounds like V8 Miata could be The Answer.

John Welsh said:

• What I care about: Driveability, safety, and reliability. 

I think you can get there with a Mk4 built with a modern FI engine.

HVAC and NVH concerns, maybe not so much. 

Driven5 said:

In reply to John Welsh :

Add in concerns about air-conditioning, sound deadening, and airbags, and yeah...Sounds like V8 Miata could be The Answer.

That was my thought as well.  

I have seen a few Superformance  Cobras and GT 40 and they are very well done. Considering they are factory built less engine and transmission I'm sure they are hard to beat when it comes to construction detail and quality. 

I know a guy that has autocrossed and track day'd the bejezus out of a cam in block five liter Factory Five car, and he seems to have buckets of fun.

An aside:  It pisses me off the have to differentiate between an old 5.0 and a new 5.0.  I guess I'll have to call the new one a Coyote, or whatever silly name Ford gave it...  But that doesn't clear it up properly.  Windsor 5.0 for the antique,  I guess. Or, I could follow Car & Driver, and call it a 4.9, which is more accurate.

Streetwiseguy said:

I know a guy that has autocrossed and track day'd the bejezus out of a cam in block five liter Factory Five car, and he seems to have buckets of fun.

An aside:  It pisses me off the have to differentiate between an old 5.0 and a new 5.0.  I guess I'll have to call the new one a Coyote, or whatever silly name Ford gave it...  But that doesn't clear it up properly.  Windsor 5.0 for the antique,  I guess. Or, I could follow Car & Driver, and call it a 4.9, which is more accurate.

We used to call that  SMB (small block ford) 5.0 liter a 302.   That was before everyone went metric.  

The SMB came in various displacements like 260, 289, and 302.  

  I think the Windsor engine was the 351 and the block was taller for the greater stroke length.  This was not to be confused with the 351 Cleveland, which was a different engine.

Factory Five is kind of a golden standard for performance out of cobra replicas, at least somewhat affordable ones. 

Superformance has nice fit and finish, but is pricier. 

I don't think you will find any cobra replicas with a top and side curtains ( none had roll up windows) sealed well enough that it will make having aircon make sense. Heat, may be a bit easier. The top and side curtains will only keep you kind of dry in the rain.

None of them will be close to modern safety. Airbags are not happening (without big money and engineering support) even side impact door bars...   Ffr has theirs pretty good for what it is, the chassis is more like a modern tube chassis racecar. Works decently for the track, but road can be a different beast.

Consider your wants out of it, take a look at v8 miata swaps (the ND ones look sweet, especially with the hard top convertible) and can check a lot more of the boxes you are looking for comfort and safety wise. Airbags, HVAC, modern crash structure, modern comfortable seats...

At the end of the day, you are talking a replica of a bare bones 1960s sportscar from England (body) 

jharry3 said:

Streetwiseguy said:

I know a guy that has autocrossed and track day'd the bejezus out of a cam in block five liter Factory Five car, and he seems to have buckets of fun.

An aside:  It pisses me off the have to differentiate between an old 5.0 and a new 5.0.  I guess I'll have to call the new one a Coyote, or whatever silly name Ford gave it...  But that doesn't clear it up properly.  Windsor 5.0 for the antique,  I guess. Or, I could follow Car & Driver, and call it a 4.9, which is more accurate.

We used to call that  SMB (small block ford) 5.0 liter a 302.   That was before everyone went metric.  

The SMB came in various displacements like 260, 289, and 302.  

  I think the Windsor engine was the 351 and the block was taller for the greater stroke length.  This was not to be confused with the 351 Cleveland, which was a different engine.

I'm 59.  I know its not properly a Windsor, but its exactly the same, other than the tall deck height.  Also Ford went full in with calling it a 5.0 when they put fuel injection on it, and there were some notable improvements, so a 302 has a carb on top and a rear main seal leak.

The new one should be a 5.1.  Or, maybe a 5.0v2

It's still a Windsor from everything I've ever read, from the 221 up to the 351. They share the same architecture. Ford changed the name to 5.0HO in 1982 but was still carbureted. It had a different firing order. EFI, 1 piece rear main and roller lifters came later in life.

Factory Five now has a  cobra kit that uses the IRS out of the newer mustangs.

Also considering adding heat/A/C system and likely a nice sound system. Lastly - I would likely soundproof it as much as possible for better driving experience. 

I am not sure that a Cobra is the right choice here.  Noise, vibration and harshness are design features.  A/C and a stereo?  Not so much.  But FF does have a car that has that and a removable hardtop, but it's not a Cobra.  

Hot Rod

And no, I don't work for Factory Five.  But I do want a car from them.  But with the 32 grill.

I'd go with a Factory Five, one is still on my bucket list. Very well engineered, amazing forum support, and a great community.

Streetwiseguy said:

I know a guy that has autocrossed and track day'd the bejezus out of a cam in block five liter Factory Five car, and he seems to have buckets of fun.

An aside:  It pisses me off the have to differentiate between an old 5.0 and a new 5.0.  I guess I'll have to call the new one a Coyote, or whatever silly name Ford gave it...  But that doesn't clear it up properly.  Windsor 5.0 for the antique,  I guess. Or, I could follow Car & Driver, and call it a 4.9, which is more accurate.

Excuse me sir, 4.9 is already taken by the best truck engine Ford ever made. 

From what I've seen, the most affordable Cobra may be the one that someone else didn't finish building. 

Streetwiseguy said:

I know a guy that has autocrossed and track day'd the bejezus out of a cam in block five liter Factory Five car, and he seems to have buckets of fun.

local guy autocrosses a former factory five challenge car.  427 and all. It tries to kill you at every possible moment, if you give it more than 1/4 throttle it over steers, if you let off the throttle it over steers.

Windsor isn't even officially the name of the 351W. It's just the common term to avoid confusion. But yes, the other engines in the family can be called Windsors and people will probably know what you mean. Or a 289, 302, etc. The new ones are just Coyotes usually.

local guy autocrosses a former factory five challenge car.  427 and all. It tries to kill you at every possible moment, if you give it more than 1/4 throttle it over steers, if you let off the throttle it over steers.

An old ohv 5.0 should fix that handily. If you leave it close to stock you'll have to do clutch kicks to oversteer on any kind of semi-wide tires. 

Sounds proofing? Corba? Not sure those could ever co-exist.

Just buy and old Viper. It is only a half step away from a kit car anyway.