Csx R 4017

[peter_river]

Dear all,

I live in France and I recently found a RAM replica to buy.

The owner explained me that this car had been produced under Chelby licence, by RAM in the early '90 in order to participate to the Badhall Trophy.

This car is superb and looks like a real one (I've already seen Superformance replicas and this one looks better !! )

I don 't know anything about this trophy and I would like know if some of yours have already heard something about it.

There is "looks like official" Chelby identification card numbered : CSX - R 4017.

Could someone tell me more about this replicas, please.

Thank you in advance, and sorry for my poor english...

[russell_ram]

Peter,

All that you say sounds correct. RAM ( or LR, same thing) was, and still is, the only Cobra replica to be endorsed by Carroll Shelby. They were issued with CSX chassis numbers, although they are not recognised by the Shelby register. As you say, factory produced cars were very authentic looking - dash layout etc etc. The chassis is very good (strength and dynamics) and was the only real choice for racing before the GD was produced. Body has lots of bonded in steel work, door bars etc and is also very strong.I don't know anything specifically about the car you mention but you could try contacting Adrian Cocking at Realm engineering http://www.realm-eng.freeserve.co.uk/ who might be able to tell you more.

Russ

[kdavies3]

You are correct. I believe that the RAM replica is the only replica which bears the CSX as part of the chassis number, this was authorised by Carroll Shelby himself.

[FatBoy]

Peter,
Got to tread carefully here.....
The RAM is/was a pretty good quality and well engineered Cobra Kit, but I don't think anyone would argue that it was a "replica" as there are very few similarities between a RAM and an original Cobra apart from the basic shape and concept.
I also suspect that the "Built under Licence from Shelby" had less to do with the authenticity of the RAM and more to do with getting funds into the Shelby Heart Fund (albeit a worthy cause).
I'm not sure what the Badhall Trophy was, but I suspect it was a single make race series for RAM Cobra Kits.
If you like the car, it's in sound condition and you're happy with the price, buy it and you'll thoroughly enjoy it. On the other hand, if you want a more authentic representation of an original Cobra, there are more accurate products around. I'm a little out of touch with the British kits recently, but I'm sure others here will advise in that area. I believe that the Crendon or Hawk kits are about the most accurate. Alternatively, there are a number of American kits that are very good.
I hope I haven't offended anyone with a RAM.
Cheers
Paul

No they're not authentic, but a well finished RAM is hard to beat in the looks department - IMO more attractive than the Crendon which I've always felt looks too 'harsh' if you get what I mean (hope you haven't got large feet though - the centre tunnel is humongous!)

Bearing in mind an absolutely stunning black RAM went on here recently for low £20Ks, how much are they asking for it?

[peter_river]

Hi,

I just wanted to bring to your attention that this car has been prepared in order to run races (Bardhall Trophy). As a consequence, the car is equiped with extinctor, racing indicators, racing seats & belts, brakes repartitor (front/rear),... a bit like the FFR Challenge series model. It only have 1 ventilator because the car is not supposed to be stopped at a red light...)

[FatBoy]

Hi Smash,
I do know what you mean. I think the "softer" outline goes for alot of the UK Cobra kits, which I suspect that somewhere in the forgotten mists of time, they all started from the same initial body mold.
They also tend to look flatter across the front wings and bonnet area, whereas the originals and the more original replicas are more rounded.

Paul

[RamSC427]

The series was the French Bardahl series which RAM did build the cars for. RAM is still respected to be one of the best handling cars around.

[ROBD]

Hi

If it is a RAM from the Bardahl Trophy you will find it's a long way from the stantard road going Ram we all know!! mainly the chassis it has Macphearson strut and Cossie hubs rather than the Jag ones, fabricated rear suspension and custom built Spax shockers all round, a slightly stiffer chassis made all of box section & also very light I think the cars weighed in at about 865Kg opposed to the standard which will come in at about 1000Kg - 1150Kg (My RAM jag based race car was 1070Kg Chengs is 1130Kg & Mark Jordans 980Kg all un-ballasted figures) Now Marks car is a standard Jag based RAM which competed in the Bardahl Trophy but it was seriously worked on to get the weight down, so there were some standard chassis cars in the series, Hope this is of interest.

Rob.

[nikbj68]

The RAM wasn`t produced 'under licence' from Shelby, it was (not is) endorsed by Shelby. His endorsement of it and all kit/replica cars ended several years ago when Shelby American began legal action against replicators use of the name 'Cobra' and tried to stop the use of the shape too!
All of which was part & parcel of the CSX4*** & CSX7*** series cars coming into production, and now of course, the strategic alliance with AC again!