Manufacturer of our Cobra

[kevchard]

Hello, we are 2 new members to your forum, and we in need of some help. My wife and i bought a part built 3rd hand cobra last year. Up until emailing Bob Busbridge yesterday, we thought it was a cobretti viper. He says it is made by Dorset Motor Services. Has anyone got any details on this company please.
Regards Kevin & Helen

[Nirmal]

Hi Kev and Helen,
Welcome to the forum. If your cobra is of the viper variety, and it was made by the Dorset Motor Company, it is probably a Classic replicas Viper. If it is advice you need regarding completing the build, Osgood is your man. He is the authority on the viper breed. Good luck with the car.

Cheers,
Nirmal.

[kevchard]

Thank you Nirmal, i have seen a few pics of CR vipers, but none seem like ours. Ours is very similar to Cobrettis', but our has the floorpan made of fibreglass and a round fibreglass transmission tunnel. Any help would be gladly appreciated.Are there any Cobretti owners on this site? I have attached pic of chassis.
Cheers Kevin & Helen

[kdavies3]

Hi and welcome, as already said if it's a Viper then Osgood's (Eric) is your man.
Does the body have big wide front arches? if so it's almost certainly a Viper of some description.

http://www.woodoouk.eclipse.co.uk/Wales.gif

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

[kevchard]

Thank you for your warm welcome everybody. The arches on the front are very "Cobrettiesque" eg wide and sloping. Ours has a narrow air scoop in bonnet, cortina front & rear running gear, 4" box section frame. I am sure it is not a CR tho (front end seems wrong).Would it be usefull if i sent pics of bodywork?
Kevin & Helen

[kdavies3]

It certainly would.
I'm sure Osgood will come to your aid.

http://www.woodoouk.eclipse.co.uk/Wales.gif

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

[TINKA]

Hi Kevin, it would be nice to see pictures of the Body, but by farr it would be more helpful to see pictures of the chassis, In the engine bay for one and try to incorporate shots of the chassis rather than the engine it's self.

Oh and welcome to the Club :7

Martin :tu :tu :tu :tu

[osgood]

Hi Kevin & Helen, Captain Viper too the rescue!! Just spotted this post, your chassis looks like an early Viper type, Cortina front sub frame I think, and possible Granada steering rack. The early models of the Brightwheel and Classic Replica Viper did have fibre-glass floors. I have attached some history & will post some more when I dig it out. Dennis Tanner of Kit Car Mag will also be able to help as he is quite well up on the Viper although the ex director of Pilgrim Eric.

[osgood]

Hello again Kevin and Helen, some more info for you relating to DMS (Dorset Motor Services)which I reckon your vehicle could be. The order of pecking went something like this:

Shelden-hurst
Brightwheel
Mark Philip's (spring off)
DMS (spring off)
Cobretti (spring off)
Classic Replica Viper (Owned by Ken Cook previous director of Brightwheel)
Cadini Sports ( no models built!)
Adrian Percival (New owner of Classic Replicas)

Your chassis however bears no relationship to mine, but all part of the same family over the years, as Tin-ka says a picture of the body shell may be of some assistance. I think the hoops at the rear are prop-shaft safety things, not the actual shape of the transmission tunnel which is normally square in most cases, but perhaps some one will pick me up on that point,; (Come in Dennis!!)Hope this helps Eric.

[osgood]

A picture of my car to give you an idea, but most Vipers are the same body shape anyway. Mine has larger arches at the rear too balance it out a little: Well thats my story anyway! Any help you need don't hesitate to ask Eric.