For most car enthusiasts, a Shelby Cobra replica is the sort of weekend toy that makes them look forward to every sunny day. One British car enthusiast, however, is now learning an expensive lesson after buying a handsome gray roadster with his heart rather than his head.
Rob had always wanted a Cobra-style sports car, and this example’s wide arches and aggressive stance proved difficult to resist. Even the guy who sold it to him described him as a brave man for taking it on.
As documented on The Logbook YouTube channel, Rob purchased the replica roughly a year ago, only to discover that its mechanical problems went far beyond a poorly adjusted carburetor. What initially seemed like a manageable project soon became a stationary headache.
After months away at a specialist workshop, the Cobra finally returned to Rob’s showroom. Unfortunately, it still didn’t run, and rather worryingly, the list of repairs was actually growing, not shrinking.
A Rover V8 With Serious Problems
Under the hood, there’s a carbureted 3.9-liter Rover V8 producing somewhere in the region of 180 horsepower. The engine initially misfired and hesitated, prompting a visit to Dan’s Performance for carburetor adjustment and rolling-road testing.
The real problem was with the engine’s timing gear, which had been jumping teeth and throwing the timing out before eventually losing a tooth altogether. To make matters worse, the ignition distributor had somehow gone missing while the Cobra was away at the specialist. The car also suffered from an oil leak requiring sump attention and a suspected exhaust manifold gasket leak.
A $7,600 Quote Changes Everything
The Cobra spent March through August awaiting a repair proposal from a specialist. Eventually, Rob received an estimate of approximately £5,700 (around $7,600) for engine repairs, excluding the separate cost of removing and reinstalling the engine.
That figure was hard to justify when Rob believed a used replacement engine could be picked up for around £1,000. Alternative plans included a larger Rover V8, an enormous eight-liter engine, or converting to electronic fuel injection with an offered ECU and wiring loom.
Even the Gearbox Is Wrong
The engine isn’t the only mechanical concern, either, because the gearbox appears to have been installed at an angle. Its gear lever sits awkwardly close to the driver, making shifts difficult inside the already cramped cockpit.
The replica uses Ford Sierra-based running gear, which also makes Rob cautious about installing a more powerful engine. Beyond that, uneven suspension height, damaged hood struts, missing trim, stone chips, and tired paint all need attention.
Can the Cobra Still Be Saved?
Rob says the car currently owes him £15,500, and he hopes to keep the total investment below £20,000. He estimates a properly sorted example could be worth somewhere in the region of £23,000–£25,000, leaving some financial incentive to persevere.
After consulting his regular mechanic and auto electrician, repairing the existing V8 appears to be the preferred approach. Whether Rob can get the Cobra running, fix its other problems, and stay within his budget remains to be seen.