Newbie from Berkshire

[Sanjay]

Hi guys,

Great site with what seems to be a very sociable community. Sorry for the long post ... it's my chance to ask the experts.

I am interested in purchasing a Cobra but don't have a huge budget (same old story!). Intent is to have a car that looks and drives the business but only on the summer weekends. I live in Reading.

I have been watching this car on Ebay: Dax Tojeiro AC Cobra Replica on eBay, also, Kit Cars, Cars, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 20-Jul-08 14:43:14 BST)

Does anyone have any thoughts on whether this looks like something worth pursuing? Reading through the forum, it would appear that a Dax may be a good option to go with. There is one on pistonheads at the moment (far beyond my budget of course) which I am drooling over in my sleep! (sovereign car sales : AC 427 COBRA RECREATION). I would ideally like to end up with something that looks like this although perhaps do it in stages to ultimately get there. I don't want to build one (as I have a 3 month old baby and my wife would probably murder me) and, although I am by no means a mechanic, I am not completely inept with a screwdriver.

Your help would be greatly appreciated. I haven't actually been in one yet so if there is any kind soul in Reading willing to take me for a spin and perhaps talk me through what ownership is like, then that would be fantastic!!

Thanks and regards,
Sanjay.

[chiffer]

Hello Sanjay,

Have a look on the classifieds on here. Unfortunately my cobra is on there as I have no choice but to sell due to business commitments. If your interested get in touch with me.

[Blade427]

Hi Sanjay, depending on how much budget you have I would try to avoid purchasing a 'Q' plate one. Obviously there is nothing wrong with any Cobra that has a 'Q' plate; it is all down to the build quailty and components used. However there are less Cobra fans out there wishing to purchase a vehicle with a Q plate on it (smaller amount of purchasers and always important to think about the resale of the vehicle even if you are planning to keep for a few years).
Hope the above helps.

[Sanjay]

Originally Posted by Blade427

Hi Sanjay, depending on how much budget you have I would try to avoid purchasing a 'Q' plate one. Obviously there is nothing wrong with any Cobra that has a 'Q' plate; it is all down to the build quailty and components used. However there are less Cobra fans out there wishing to purchase a vehicle with a Q plate on it (smaller amount of purchasers and always important to think about the resale of the vehicle even if you are planning to keep for a few years).
Hope the above helps.

Blade, I am sorry ... What does a Q plate mean in the Cobra business? Sorry for my ignorance!

Thanks,
Sanjay.

[Blade427]

Hi, a registration number that starts with a 'Q'. It is given to kit cars that can't prove that the vehicle was built from a donor vehicle i.e. a Jaguar etc. It's all a bit snobish really because if you have a 'Q' registration number then it is obvious that it is a kit car. See below for more info: see .

My vehicle has a "Q" prefix registration number. Can it participate in the transfer and retention schemes?
Sorry, no. Vehicles are assigned "Q" prefix registration numbers to draw attention to the fact that their origins or age are uncertain. "Q" numbers are therefore non-transferable and must remain with the vehicle unless documentary evidence which confirms its origins / age comes to light. In this case, the evidence should be sent to your nearest VRO who may then assign a replacement age-related number to the vehicle

[Bigblock]

Also just to clear it up, there was no such thing as an age related plate or and SVA many years ago, circa 1988-89 ish. We had no choice but to have a Q plate. Even argued with the DVLA with the log book at the time.

Most of ours with Q plates have the same doner for the bits but, like I said at the time till the SVA came in you either had the only legal option of a Q or you drove it as a rebodied Jag, Rover SDI, Cortina etc and waited till the boys in blue got a strop on when checking the reg plate number.

[stu e]

Originally Posted by Bigblock

Also just to clear it up, there was no such thing as an age related plate or and SVA many years ago, circa 1988-89 ish. We had no choice but to have a Q plate. Even argued with the DVLA with the log book at the time.

Most of ours with Q plates have the same doner for the bits but, like I said at the time till the SVA came in you either had the only legal option of a Q or you drove it as a rebodied Jag, Rover SDI, Cortina etc and waited till the boys in blue got a strop on when checking the reg plate number.

I had an inspector from Reading come out to me in High Wycombe and check my car (mid 90's) and was able to keep the donor registration as i had enough points from the donor. I have the original VIN and registration numbers not a Q plate and am able to change the reg plate if I wanted to.
I was told a Q plate was if the age of the vehicle was undetermined, and by having enough donor parts( engine, gearbox,axles, steering, suspension) it was judged to be the same as the donor.
Stu.

[Bigblock]

That's right, they did change about then. The Cobra kits were very few and far between in 1988/9. It also depended on who you saw and who ticked your boxes to see if you got the age related plate.

Mid 90's was 5 to 6 years on from when I first built mine and the market really took off then.

At the end of the day they are all copies and I didnt really mind either way.

Saw 5-6 real ones (64 - 65) at Le Mans this weekend and a couple of Autokraft ones.

Rather have the kits, I thought they looked better.

[Happy Jim]

Originally Posted by Sanjay

Hi guys, I haven't actually been in one yet so if there is any kind soul in Reading willing to take me for a spin and perhaps talk me through what ownership is like, then that would be fantastic!!

Thanks and regards,
Sanjay.

Sanjay,

We have the Thames Valley meet just south of Reading once a month, pop along, say hello and I'm sure you'll get a spin out (like we need much of an excuse for a drive ).

Rgds

Jim

Third Sunday of the month at The Swan in Three Mile Cross (off M4 J11)