What on Earth have I bought?

[PaulT]

Hi,

I hope that someone will be able to assist me in identifying a "nearly completed" Cobra replica which I have recently bought. I realise that I may well be walking into the lion's den here, but I would really appreciate some constructive help rather than comments like "what an idiot" "you shouldn't have bought it" & "its an outdated kit and nothing but problems to complete". I have already said all of these to myself and accept that they are true!

The vendor told me that it was produced by "Auto Replicas" which was something to do with Brightwheel and/or Classic Replicas and a split between the owners who fell out and went their separate ways.

I was told that it has Mk1 Granada running gear and was purchased as a new kit some 6 years ago. I am very doubtful about this, as my research on the web indicates that with Granada donor parts, it is probably much older. It has the following numbers stamped on the right hand chassis rail next to the driver's seat "03/1 9/90/1/002" (and the name) "MARK PHILLIPS".

The square section chassis is very sturdy, and has steel floors, transmission tunnel, firewall and bulkheads. It extends to the full length of the car both front and rear. the GRP body is very heavy and appears to be well made.

It would seem that the most important thing for me to do is to identify what I have, and attempt to obtain a copy of the original purchase documentation for registration/SVA.

Thanks in anticipation!

Paul.

[robert]

Paul

Picture would help no end. You can upload pics here and then we might be able to help.

[kdavies3]

Hi Paul and welcome to the forum.
As Robert says give us as many pictures of the chassis engine bay etc, etc.
It can only help to identify what you have.
It's not the one all the debate 's been about on the forum this week is it, as seen on Ebay?

http://animatedgif.net/flags/-flags-uncat/Wales.gif

Kev Davies
Dax, 383ci Chevy Stroker, Tremec TKO
South Wales

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[PaulT]

Hi Kev & Robert,

Thanks for your rapid responses. I took advantage of the "weather window" yesterday to get some pictures as advised. I will now attempt to attach them to this email, and hope that some of the CRC members may be able to assist!

(system only allowed me to upload three images, but I have more if required)

Regards,

Paul

[TINKA]

Hi Paul, you have bought one of 3 kit's there, either Cobretti, Classic Replica Viper, or a Viper ( I think). If you need more information it might be worth contacting Iain Jones hysteria_8@ntlworld.com

Hope this helps Martin :tu :tu :tu :tu

[kitcarman]

Hi Paul, and very welcome.

I disagree with Martin (sorry mate).

It looks like a “Mark Phillips” and its got “Mark Phillips” stamped on it, so…..

…..my analysis is that it’s a “Mark Phillips”.

If my memory serves me correctly, he made about 15 – 20 examples in around 1989 or 1990, following the highly controversial collapse of Brightwheel.

Provided you got it at the right price and are content to build it to the specification that Mark Phillips intended, then you’ll be alright.

You’ll get oodles of help here, from me and everybody else.

[PaulT]

Hi Martin,

Thanks for the reply. I shall contact Iain Jones and see what he thinks. I seem to recall that the guy I bought it off said something about a Viper, but I don't remember if he said it was one, or was LIKE one!

I wonder if this could tie in with Den's response? Does anybody know where I can find out more about Brightwheel please?

Best regards,

Paul.

[PaulT]

Hi Den,

Thanks for the info. This of course raises a crop of new questions for me (I had never contemplated buying a kitcar before, and this one was very much a spur of the moment decision! Thus I have no idea whatsoever of what must be common knowledge amongst those who are immersed in the kitcar culture!).

Perhaps you (or one of the forum readers) could indicate whether Mark Phillips is contactable (so that I may attempt to obtain some sort of copy purchase documentation for registration purposes)? What was the spec. which Mark Phillips intended? Are there any others in the CRC with one of these cars?

And lastly (I know I'm sticking my neck out here!) is the model which I have, regarded as a "good" one, a mediocre one, or .... (I can't bring myself to say it!)

Kind regards,

Paul.

[mark]

hi paul and wellcome ,if you get in touch ann the northern meet boss woman her close pall owns a mark philips and a very nice one to


anns email is in snake torque
as for the quality ,well its down to you,take your time and do it right and it will be as good and reliable as anyone elses


ps dont be afrayed to ask we will help if we can



mark (fat boy northern)

[kitcarman]

Paul,
You’re not going to like my response, so let me say from the start that I’ve got your best interests at heart. It will end up OK at the end of the day IF you heed my advice.

The late 1980’s was a manic time in kit car production terms. Cobras were selling like hot cakes. A new breed of cheaper Ford based versions appeared. I’ll not try to detail all of them, but I’ll start with Sheldonhurst. A good kit who used a company called Brightwheel as build agents.

Brightwheel was a particularly shameful episode in that phase of kit car history. They initially repainted their Sheldonhurst demonstrator and called it the Brightwheel Viper and then started producing their own kits. In 1988 they produced a new even cheaper Cortina version of the Brightwheel Viper kit which was publicized at a price of only £995 (for body and chassis). Dozens of people were encouraged to place a £500 deposit to secure a place in the very long waiting list. Many did because it was an absolute bargain.

What happened next was that after about 18 months of advertising and collecting deposits, the factory doors suddenly closed and around a 100 customers were left either completely high and dry or with just a chassis and no prospect of completing it. Ken Cook, Brightwheel’s director went abroad and set up similar scams in northern Europe. First in Switzerland (where the original moulds went), then Germany (where Ken Cook started afresh on at least 2 occasions).

The closure of Brightwheel spawned a number of alternative British suppliers to fill the gap. Dorset Motor Services (DMS) produced new moulds and jigs, as did Mark Phillips whilst Cobretti (formally Brightwheel build agents for London) sort of continued the sales of Viper and were seen to be the firm to whom most folk went for help/assistance. To make matters just a trifle more complex, Ken Cook returned from his European exploits in around 1993 to stake a claim on the viper trade mark (following Dodge launching a car of that name). He traded under the name Classic Replicas (as he had done abroad) in this country form around 1994 until about two years ago. He recently sold out to Cadini and we await his next reincarnation.

So starting with Sheldonhurst and finishing with Classic Replicas, there have been around 6 British and 3 continental suppliers (that I know of) of what are, in effect, one and the same Viper kit. Most people can’t tell them apart.

All can be built into decent (by the standards of their day) Cobras, but the main problem you will face is lack of development and lack of the special parts required to build it “out of the box”. Yours IMHO looks quite ‘honest’ in that it’s in the very early stages of build and could be assembled correctly. Provided, of course, that you’re willing to put in the effort AND make OR track-down the missing bits (some of which you think you’ve got already).

I’ve said enough for now. Fire any questions and I’ll do my best to answer. This will be a long thread and I hope that others will chip in to help you too. Also to correct me if I get emotional OR plain wrong.

To answer your two questions. No Mark Phillips isn’t contactable (by me at least – I last spoke to him about 10 years ago when he gave me some of his stock to help those of his customers who came my way). The car is a ‘turd’ IMHO, but it can be made into an acceptable car if you’re prepared to put in the work. If you are, keep a diary please.

Be encouraged by Mark. I've seen the most awful pigs ears turned into beautiful silk purses. It's down to you at the end of the day.