Newbie considering RV Python or Pilgrim Sumo

[archaeology98]

Hi All,

I'm new to Cobras & Kitcars but intend to find myself something for this summer. Since I'm no mechanical genius (understatement !) I need to opt for a car that is mechanically sound although I'm not afraid to do a bit of work on it & learn over time.
A couple of possible options have come to my attention: firstly, the RV Python Demonstrator is up for sale with a BMW 3.5L in it (apparently it does need work doing on the cockpit area, priced at ~ £11K) or a recently factory refurbed Pilgrim Sumo with a Rover 4L engine in it (about ~ £15K) but I'd want to refurb the cockpit area in this also.
Would be interested in some technical/practical opinions from owners who have experience with any of these cars, what would be the best option to go for, particularly considering I've no experience in engines/gearboxes/mechanics. I'm also a bit concerned about the Rover 4.0L, had a Range Rover with a 4.6HSE engine in it that decided to go porous & cost me £5K+ to replace after only 40000 miles: are the 4.0L engines also susceptible ? Also I'd be interested in any recommendations for refitting a cockpit area (dash/doors/carpets/tunnel etc.) and how much I'd expect to pay for a decent job on this.

I've not seen these cars yet BTW, intend to do so in the next week or two but interested in feedback beforehand.
Thanks

[stevee8]

Welcome to the forum.
If you haven't already done so I suggest you do a search on here for previous posts - that will give you some background on both makes. Attending a local Cobra meeting & chatting to owners might also help your decision whather it is about these or other makes.
The Python has not been in production very long & I think the car you refer to is not only their demonstrator but also their prototype so you would need to take a view on whether an early build of a new car is your best option. There are (or were) some in the process of being kit built, with posts on this site. You might also want to consider backup for RVD specific parts as they were (are?) being made abroad.
The Sumo is made in the UK, has been in production for some years & there are many more owners around who would be able to help if you needed it. I assume Pilgrim have done the factory refurb ? If so I imagine they would be able to tell you exactly what they have done which might be useful to know.
You may find an existing owner locally who would be prepared to look at the cars with you & offer advice. Good luck with your search.
Don't forget you can join the Cobra Replica Club online too !!!

[sheppie]

Hi.
I may be able to help with your dilemma.
Having driven the Python in question. I drove it when it was thier demonstrator, it was a long time ago before they had it painted, it was on some rural roads in Cornwall and it was the first Cobra replica that I had driven so I had no benchmark with which to compare it. As far as I can remember I was impressed.
More recently I have obtained a Pilgrim Sumo Mk2 which I am driving and slowly upgrading. We are enjoying the Sumo very much it is a good car for the budget end of the market. Looking regularly at this Forum it is clear that there are issues with Sumos, in particular with steering/axle geometry, my experience would bear this out although these problems are not insurmountable. Also the chassis is not exactly the stiffest around.
The Rover V8 engine is basically fairly bomb proof (mines a 3.5), although I have heard that the larger capacity ones (particularly the 4.6) do suffer from cooling system and porous block faults.
Everyone has an opinion on makes of kits and engines, these are just mine based on personal experience and i hope that they help.
Regards. Jerry.

[Miket]

Welcome to the madhouse

Go for the Pilgrim, but at 15k it should be immaculate.

Vince you never cease to amaze me with your posts, first two pictures in your post look like you've extracted the photo's from the TV programme "Chop Shop"

[Miket]

Originally Posted by vince RVD

If i knew what the F#@k chop shop was then your post may make sence ! as i dont live in england and dont watch english tv, how should i know what the hell you are on about , and it amaze's me that people are alowed to post total untruths about people and there companies and im the bad guy ?

Have a look here Chop Shop: London Garage - Discovery Channel

Where did I post total untruth's

Oh and by the way, you might want to revert to a UK spell checker, as the Indian one doesn't work to well.

[Deck]

Don't let that boy wind you up Vince!

That looks like a pretty massive lump, which one is it?
Are you supplying that roof as well? Looks like a nice job from that pic.
Do you know if it fits other makes?
Cheers
Dec

[dave]

Vince.
Chill a bit will you. Mike's only playing around.
I did think the same thing but didn't post as I know how touchy you can be.

Might be worth reading the following:-

>>>
paranoia Show phonetics
noun
1 [C or U] an extreme and unreasonable feeling that other people do not like you or are going to harm or criticize you:
<<<

[archaeology98]

Vince,

Thanks for the update.
Unfortunately I did go for the Pilgrim in the end, but nothing to do with any of the arguments and/or tech reasons or politics or bad press that I've subsequently learnt from the forum since my first post.

(Sorry to the members of the forum have stirred it up, by the way, as a newbie I had no idea of the minefield in this area & in fact it does neither party nor company any good when it comes to marketing their products. I think business for both parties would be best served by concentrating on customers & the market first & looking forward to improving their offers for the future, which I'm sure is happening).

Although I really like the idea (& prefer) the concept of a BMW lump in a Cobra, and actually I think looking to the future some of the BMW/Mini technology would be pretty neat in a kitcar which I'm sure Vince is looking at from his post (I've also got a Mini Cooper S JCW & they are a gem of a car, also my last but one car was a 325iM Sport, also fantastic) & not to mention the emissions requirements for the future, the sad fact is that the chap from Python never did call me back, I did get one quick call from a lady who said she owned the company & she would get somebody to call me but no further response thereafter: in contrast the chap at Pilgrim was pretty helpful & responsive and took time to talk me through the car, the refurb/build process & the car & even arranged a visit for me at pretty short notice.
So I'm afraid it was good old sales technique 101 that got my money in the end !

[dbsmith]

Originally Posted by Miket

Have a look here Chop Shop: London Garage - Discovery Channel

Where did I post total untruth's

Oh and by the way, you might want to revert to a UK spell checker, as the Indian one doesn't work to well.

.....seems like the English grammar checker isn't much better, to be honest

[Purple AK]

Originally Posted by dbsmith

It would seem that, the English grammar checker isn't much better, to be honest.

Just goes to show that knowone is perfect I guess