Another day, another unfinished kit car pops up for sale. This time, it’s a replica of a 1967 Shelby Cobra (like so many others) with no clear identity in terms of the original manufacturer of the kit. This happens quite a bit, too, with sellers not doing much legwork to share with potential buyers the origins of the kit. Still, it’s amazing to watch the experts dive into a vehicle like this and pick off small details that make a big difference in terms of the original builder of the kit. This Cobra is said to come with tons of parts to finish it, along with a 427 and automatic transmission. Find it here on Facebook Marketplace for $18,000.
What I always struggle with in terms of the kit cars is assigning value. I get that there’s a cost involved in purchasing the kit, and then assembling all the parts. But how do you arrive at a number, especially when it’s clear that the vehicle in question has been left outside in an unfinished state for eons? The engine is already installed in this example, so some of the work is done, but it’s been sitting outside with no weather protection – how do you justify the asking price at that point? Of course, it’s possible it was just rolled out for photos, but speaking of rolling, you at least get a set of decent-looking alloy wheels and potentially fresh tires – which hopefully aren’t flat-spotted.
The interior remains largely incomplete, with no seats, gauges, carpeting, door panels, or anything else besides a steering wheel and the basis for a dash. The Cobra may come with a transmission, but it’s plainly obvious it’s not currently installed. The seller doesn’t highlight which specific parts are included in the sale, but one would hope the large stash includes bucket seats, console trim, gauges, carpeting, and anything else that might help the Cobra appear more finished. Based on the photos of the cockpit and the interior, do you recognize the original builder of this example?
Now, other photos do show what looks like a gauge kit and some intake runners, along with bags of wiring like this. While it’s helpful to see, it doesn’t really tell a clear story about what you’re going to have to work with once you get this Cobra home – and that’s the other challenge with inheriting a dead kit car effort. While picking up any project mid-way through completion is risky, a kit car like this Cobra is going to have some extra challenges associated with hoping all the necessary hardware is included for affixing badges, interior components, body panels, and more, not to mention ensuring the engine and transmission are suitably secured in the engine bay and transmission tunnel. These are great fun when they’re done, but this Cobra kit has a long way to go. What do you think it’s worth?
When I hear the words “kit car”, a movie title immediately pops into my head-The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. The good and bad speaks for itself. The ugly can not only visual, buying a second hand kit car is bound to get ugly while trying to assemble it.
Hate to say it but I really don’t see more than 5k for this. A lot of work and money before this sees the road
Motor in pictures and parts is not a 427,
Looks to maybe be a 429 or 460?
Here in Illinois you will have a hard time getting a title for it if it’s not already titled. I wouldn’t touch it if it doesn’t have a title
Not at $18,000
Lot of money for a puzzle in a box!
Intake is even for a 429/460 . Owner knows and is misleading. Not worth a second look
Cobra kit cars are like belly buttons all most everyone has one in some stage of completion. Purchasing one incomplete can be costly, so bid low!
ERA is one of the better ones on the market.
I have seen some mint beautiful ones on the Mecum auctions with no reserve, they go pretty cheap, about $30k for some.
If there ever was a can of worms, this is it. Unfortunately for the seller the proverb – There is an ass for every seat – doesn´t apply here, because there are are no seats!
Given the way that the rear of the car sticks upwards more than it should, it is probably a Factory Five. The straight rocker panel area, as opposed to having the correct curvature of the original design, is another give-away, as well as a non-correct gauge pattern. Precious few replicas of Shelby AC Cobras have accurate dimensions. ERA, mentioned by Frank D. above, is not only a well-engineered kit, it is very accurate-looking…as long as the builder doesn’t spoil it by putting in, for example, Stewart-Warner gauges instead of the correct Smiths instruments that all real big block Cobras received back in the ’60s (only some of the 289 Cobras got Stewart-Warner).
I’m thinking Shell valley it a 460 engine and Trans out of a torino must be a smog engine NOT 427 only 2 original big block cobras came with automatic transmission Shells Super Snake twin Paxton supercharged and Bill Cosby who did the the the skit 200mph about the cobra,18 k in her dreams🤔😂🤣 !!!
always wanted a cobra kit, but that is no where near 18k’s worth …..sigh
they are either too much $$$$ for me or not enough kit…..