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HDR Turnkey Cobra Replicars vs. Cobra Kit Cars
Comparison Shopping: Production Replicar? Kit Car? TKM?
Doing some comparison shopping between turnkey Cobra replica cars and Cobra kit cars? Confused by the specialty automobile terms Production Replica Car (or Replicar), Turnkey Minus (TKM) and Kit Car? These definitions, along with the comparison table below, should provide help in deciding between a turnkey Cobra replicar and Cobra kit car.
| Car Type |
Other names |
Definition |
Time to First Drive |
| Turnkey Cobra Replicar |
Production Replicar, Production Replica, Cobra Replica, Turnkey Kit Car |
Completely assembled |
Ready-to-drive car |
| Cobra Turnkey Minus |
Cobra TKM |
Assembled car except for engine and transmission, which are separate and need to be installed |
Weeks to months away from driving, depending on engine and transmission purchase / installation |
| Cobra Kit Car |
Cobra Kit, Cobra Replica Kit Car, Shelby Cobra Kit Car |
Nothing assembled, all parts in a kit to build the car, engine and transmission installed separately too |
Months to years away from driving |
The Chassis - HDR Cobra Turnkey Replicar vs. Cobra Kit Car
Most of today's Cobra kit car manufacturers use ERW (electric resistance weld) mild steel tubing in their complete main frame construction, most carrying that practice right along into the fabrication of suspension components. This is a very economical production practice, but highly inappropriate for a performance based sports car. The hidden cost may very well be a catastrophic major suspension failure, and you won't be driving in a straight line when it happens!
ERW is the technical description of how that tubing is manufactured. That steel starts out as a low grade flat sheet and is pressed into shape, with the remaining seam welded along its length. Steel tubing strength value is typically measured in pounds per square inch for deflection or compression of any kind, with mild ERW failing anywhere between 17,000 and 25,000 psi depending on wall thickness. This psi rating is the approximate pressure a particular piece can withstand before distorting; 17,000 to 25,000 psi is a relatively low pressure, and not even close to that of pressure which may be exerted against a chassis at even a moderate speed crash; this steel being categorized as (construction grade) not to be confused with passenger or race car construction. The welded seam found in this tubing presents another safety problem: it splits! This is why most race sanctioning bodies either extremely limit its use or outlaw it completely.
Highland Daytona Racing uses only 4130N Aircraft alloy chromoly round tube for triangulated chassis and suspension. No welded seam tubing components at all! HDR's 4130N round tube frame components are typically strength-rated between 125,000 to 185,000 psi after heat treatment. HDR uses nothing but this seamless aircraft alloy tube in every hand-made Cobra turnkey replicar we produce.
HDR Cobra Turnkey Replicar vs. Cobra Kit Car Comparison Tables
The following specialty automobile consumer comparison list is to provide information about the sometimes misunderstood differences between a production car company and its cars and a general kit car company and their products.
| HDR Company |
Kit Car Companies |
| Comprehensive 3 year, 36,000 mile written factory warranty |
None |
| 2 years - 24,000 mile factory warranty on engine/drive train |
Crates engines, no warranty |
| Warranty on chassis extended even if raced |
None |
| Growing nationwide warranty service stations |
None |
| Growing national dealer network |
Few |
| 100% MSRP insurance underwriting |
None |
| Can be approved for new car financing |
None |
| Approved chassis VIN numbers for titling |
None |
| Titled as any other production car |
Titled as kit |
| Manufacturers-cost parts purchase program for the life of your car |
None |
| Secure bank escrow account for client build deposits |
None |
| Short term production loans for build process |
None |
| Long term new car financing available for finished cars |
None |
| HDR Turnkey Cobra Replicars |
Cobra Kit Cars |
| Triangulated 4130N Aircraft alloy chromoly round tube chassis and suspension |
ERW Mild (welded) Square tube |
| All current GT-Race geometry and frame technology |
Mustang |
| All 100% new high performance parts, NO Remanufactured or OEM parts |
Many Remanufactured and OEM parts |
| No stock OEM production car geometry anywhere in our suspension |
Most use OEM designed parts |
| 100% truly adjustable suspension front and rear w/double adjustable shocks |
Few |
| Cockpits custom fitted and fabricated to the driver's personal dimensions |
None |
| The ability and willingness to custom build to an individual's desires |
No customization |
| Custom built engines as standard |
Most use crate motors |
| Custom built road-race ready gear box as standard |
None |
| All HDR cars are produced on the same Gen-3 GT-1 chassis |
None |
| Several custom interior styles, colors and patters available as standard |
Few |
| 100% Aircraft A.N. fluid and brake line fittings throughout |
None |
| American-made aircraft dash gauge set |
None |
| In-house, custom color mxing at no additional charge |
None |
| All manufacturing processes done 100% in-house for entire turnkey build |
None |
The above information comparing turnkey Cobra replicars against Cobra kit cars represents the general state of Cobra kit cars. It should not to be perceived as the case with every Cobra kit car manufacturer and specification. It does reflect the overall general reality in the Cobra kit car industry.
Highland Daytona Racing - Your Cobra Turnkey Replicar Experts
Click Here to Contact Highland Daytona Racing to inquire about owning your own Cobra turnkey replica car.
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