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Author:
Gerald Everett
While waiting at the Blue Lagoon for the rest of
the club members to arrive before heading to the 4x4 Challenge, I was
approached by a young guy and his girlfriend who had given our cars a good
looking over and who asked some of the most popular questions relating to
our cars. Namely: "How
much do they cost?" "How long does it take to build?" and
finally - "Gee, is it really worth as much as that?"
These questions prompted me to sit down and try to
compile a very basic price of a dead standard - no frills car on the road for the benefit of any wannabe Cobra owner or Snakebite victim.
Without phoning for up-to-date prices, the final result and cost depends
on a multitude of factors; the most obvious ones being ready cash,
knowledge, various skills (fiberglass, welding, etc.) and time.
Body and Chassis from K.C.C.
R 30000
Suspension / diff / brake system / Instruments R 4500 (XJ6 series I)
Motor and Auto Box - Second hand and recon
R 20000
Windscreen and Frame
R
3000
8" Rims and Tyres 225/245 x 15 R 8000
New S/Steel under Car Exhaust and Headers
R 3000
Paint / Wiring / Trim
R 14000
Steering Rack / Column & Wheel
R 2500
TOTAL:
R 88500
Don't forget to include new shocks and to overhaul
the brake pistons and seals (It has to stop!), lights, new bearings for
rear suspension, tie rod ends, ball joints etc. Another R20000 may cover
the lot giving a total of R108500. One could save a considerable amount of
cash if you can do painting, wiring etc.
yourself as well as certain other elements of the assembly.
Should you decide to go a few steps further by
fitting wide Halibrand wheels and tyres, a soft top, hot-up the motor and a decent pair of
side winders, it should not be too difficult to approach the R200 000 plus
mark. Another option to consider would be to purchase an incomplete
project. There can be significant cash saving here and they do appear in
our newsletter from time to time.
Time to build seems to average around two to four
years - obviously depending what is
required, cash available and how thorough and particular you really want
to be.
Is a Cobra worth all that much cash? Well, the
answer to that by a Cobra owner should be a definitive 'yes' - you
either love them or hate them! You could spend the same on a Toyota MR2 or
similar car, but then you will never have the thrill of hearing that V8
doing what it does best, or experience the sensation of being propelled
from 0-100 kph in 6.5 seconds! So . . . As I said to the onlookers,
"If you really want one, join the club and go for it!" The
cost of your car will pay you back handsomely in total fun and enjoyment
for many years to come."
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