The 27th annual American Handcrafted Automobile (AHA) Kit Car and Cobra Show took place April 22-23, 2006. Held at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, California, the show was well attended by enthusiasts, manufacturers, and clubs. Vintage replicas of every stripe were on hand, but the field was dominated by the 427 Cobra.
With the emergence of companies dedicated to these vintage Cobra replicas, the quality has improved dramatically, and it's now possible for a careful hobbyist to achieve a spectacular result. Shelby American is also producing continuation cars, further swelling the ranks of dedicated Cobra enthusiasts. Come and walk a few rows with us, and see what the show had to offer.
Factory Five Racing had a...
Factory Five Racing had a major presence at the gathering, and there was plenty to see and enjoy at their display. There were even Factory Five cars without bodies. This allowed for detailed inspection of their many design aspects, including suspension and powertrain.
One Factory Five replica that...
One Factory Five replica that got lots of attention was the Type '65 Coupe. Equipped with a healthy Windsor, these cars will go 0-60 in well under four seconds.
One beautiful example of the...
One beautiful example of the Factory Five Roadster was this just-completed Mark II version. The fit and finish on this car was awesome, and the double rollbars were definitely different.
There are no limitations on...
There are no limitations on imagination when it comes to induction. We thought this eight-barrel fuel injected arrangement looked about as cool as it gets. Computer control eliminates the multiple carb-tuning nightmares common in the days of yore.
This car was another beautiful...
This car was another beautiful example of doing things a little differently. The 385-series, 460 big-block is something we don't see too often, and the tilt front end and detail work were a sight to behold. This West Coast Performance version is a '65 replica completed in 2005.
The slab-sided 289 Cobra shown...
The slab-sided 289 Cobra shown here is an example of the Shelby American Series 8000 continuation cars. Built in 2003, it represents the '65 version of the 289 Street Roadster. This was one of the few examples of the smaller-bodied Cobras we saw.
Another popular make of vintage...
Another popular make of vintage replicas is Superformance. Here is a good-looking rendition of the company's '65 427-powered car in red.
As well as being a car show,...
As well as being a car show, the gathering was also kind of a swap meet. You could have found a smokin' deal on this 427 SC kit. Just bring cash and call the flatbed.
The hobby is on the rise,...
The hobby is on the rise, and support organizations like the National Kit Car Club as well as several local clubs were at the show.
There are other Fords being...
There are other Fords being replicated besides the Cobra. This GT-40 clone with its Gulf Oil war paint certainly recalls the glory days of Le Mans.
Le Mans rivalries were reawakened...
Le Mans rivalries were reawakened with the Ferrari 250 GTO seen here. This is just one example of the many replicas being done that are not Fords, but you could still put a Ford powertrain in one if you wanted.