WHAT DOES YOUR CAR WEIGH WHEN IT'S DONE?

Our car, equipped with a small-block, will come in at around 2200 lbs. With a big-block, you can expect about 2400-2500 lbs.

WHAT IS THE WHEELBASE OF YOUR SHELL VALLEY COBRA REPLICAR?

The Shell Valley Cobra Replica is based on the 427 body style, and continues with the 90" wheelbase as well as the original outside body dimensions.

HOW IS YOUR FRAME BUILT?

The frame on our Cobra replica is constructed of 2x4 rectangular tubing, 3/16" wall thickness. The outer floor braces are made of 1/8" wall 2x2 square tubing that is mandrel bent for a more professional appearance. The frame also has 6 crossmembers for added strength and stiffness. This all adds up to a frame that is very strong, yet lightweight.

WHAT ENGINE CAN I USE?

Our car can be set up at the factory to use most any big or small block Ford or Chevy V-8. We have the motor mount locations preset in our frame jigs, and have the headers in stock!

WHAT TRANSMISSION CAN I USE?

There is ample room to use any most any automatic or manual transmission on the market today, including newer 5 speeds, overdrive automatics, and of course, the good old Toploader 4-speed. We also have different pedal assemblies to use with automatics (brake pedal only), our hydraulic clutch assembly, or our cable clutch assembly for the T-5 Five Speed.

WHAT FRONT SUSPENSION DO YOU USE?

We use a tubular version of the Mustang II front end. We have retained the original geometry and spindles, but manufacture our own lightwieght upper and lower A-frames. We can also set up your car with our own "Strut Eliminator" lower A-arms. We have disc brake parts in stock, and can even help you change the Mustang II parts over to 11" rotors and GM brake calipers.

WHAT TYPE OF REAR SUSPENSION DO YOU HAVE?

Shell Valley has been using 9" Ford rearends almost exclusively for years. We have developed our own triangulated 4-link setup which eliminates the need for a cross-link or a panhard bar. The 4-link bars are polished billet aluminum with urethane bushings. We also manufacture our own line of polished aluminum-bodied coilovers...the "Quick-Set Silver Bullet". These coilovers are used on the front and rear of our cars to allow for easy ride height adjustments and fast spring changes if necessary.

WHAT ABOUT AN INDEPENDENT REAR SUSPENSION?

Our frame can be built to accept the Jaguar IRS, and we can assist you with purchasing a Jag rear for your car. We are also in the process of developing our own independent 9" Ford rear for that same reputation of durability but with the advantages that the IRS offers.

WHAT KIND OF ASSEMBLY TIME CAN I EXPECT FROM YOUR KIT?

For the "average" builder, in other words, someone with some mechanical experience and most common tools, you can expect to spend from 100 to 200 hours on the car. If you are more experienced, you can figure on the lower end of that range...for the novice, plan on the higher end of 200 hours.

DO I NEED A DONOR CAR TO COMPLETE YOUR KIT?

No. The Shell Valley Cobra replica is designed to be a NEW car from the start. We manufacture approximately 80% of the car ourselves, including the pedal assemblies, steering column, front & rear suspension parts, frame, body, seat shells, headers, etc. It is our firm belief that a car of this caliber should be NEW from top to bottom... not a re-skinned donor car.

WHAT IS KEVLAR AND WHAT WILL IT DO FOR MY COBRA REPLICA BODY?

Kevlar is a cloth-like material developed by DuPont. When used in fiberglass applications, it makes for a very durable yet lightwieght reinforcing material. Our Kevlar bodies are one of the strongest on the market, yet only weigh about 20 lbs. more than our standard fiberglass body. Whether for street use or in all-out racing, the Kevlar reinforced body will offer considerable strength gains over other fiberglass-only bodies. The use of Kevlar is very popular in our racing Cobras Replicas due to the fact that if the car is in an accident, it will be less susceptible to damage, and if damaged, the repairs are much easier.