While outrageously powerful AC/Shelby Cobra kit cars are actually pretty common in their respective DIY niche, not all focus on quality and some are downright ridiculous.
You usually still end up spending more than you thought at first if you want a top notch example with a suitable V8 engine, big brakes, proper springs, dampers and suspension bits. An impressively fast example of one is the XCS Fusion 427 pitted by Autocar against a Jaguar XKR-S convertible.
With a 639hp V8 under the hood and just 1,080 kg (2,380 lbs) to lug around, the replica has no trouble in showing the Jag the dark side of its exhausts; it does however, show just how good these modern automatic gearboxes – the hot XK surges forward seamlessly, whereas the cog swapping in the Cobra is visibly slower.
However, if you want to pay around half of its price tag of €105,000 o $147,000 and have an even better looking albeit much slower replica to play with – a perfect-looking Lancia Stratos, built by a new company called Lister-Bell that has so far sold twelve examples since it was brought out.
In fact, you can get one in kit form for as low as €35,900 or $49,000, on condition that you build it yourself and also source the necessary parts (and 3.2-liter V6 engine) from an Alfa Romeo 166 – they’re dirt cheap, don’t worry. It rides on a custom chassis but still needs to cannibalize on the Italian sedan’s mechanicals to truly be called complete, plus it also gets a proper driving position and to my mind is definitely one of the most desirable replicas there are.
Videos of both lie after the jump.
By Andrei Nedelea
VIDEO