Affordable Dream Car: The 400hp Chevy Powered AC Cobra (Dax 427) Review - The Ultimate Summer Car?

[@stewartw.9151]

I drove my self-built Cobra replica as a daily driver for 10 years! I never saw the point of cossetting the thing and only bringing it out on weekends. After all the effort of building it I wanted to enjoy it day by day - and I did! With a "little" 302 Windsor V8, slightly warmed up, it cranked out about 300 hp at the wheels and for road use that was adequate! I did several 400 mile trips in it, quite comfortable but mine had a quality double-duck soft-top which cost an arm and a leg, and pipes out the rear so I was not windburned and deaf at the end! Cruising at 180 kph (110 mph) was a breeze with a Borg-Warner T5 transmission and fuel consumption about 12 mpg at those speeds. Driving with a lighter foot could yield 20 mpg. Top speed that I ever got it to was 147 mph @ 4700 rpm in 5th gear and it may have eased up to a bit more with a longer straight run. Completed the car in 1992, sold it in 2002. For anyone thinking about a Cobra, go for it, you will not be disappointed!

[@keirbourne5323]

These are brilliant. The kitcar manufacturers like Dax must clearly be doing something right because unlike other "rare classic cars" you do actually see these out and about on the roads. It's awesome that a 60 year old car is still being produced today! I have loved the Cobra since I played Gran Turismo as a kid, and I hope if in 20 years time I have done well for myself and got some money saved, this will be my early midlife crisis car. Great vid btw as usual.

[@dazeaston]

This is now my favourite car channel! Thank you for the excellent content, you deserve a heck of a lot more subscribers.

[@GetUpFalcon]

Yep he's bloody good at this.

[@harald.370]

Spread the word! That’s the best way to help him out 👍

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Thanks guys :)

[@richboy900]

I like the way he usually has a video out everyday. Respect 🙏

[@jimmyhallatt]

I dont think these will ever go out of date or get boring! Love them!

[@user-qq2mo1ek2r]

I bought a cobra from Mark at Total head turner's. In fact it's the one in my avatar. Pro built and great fun. Sold it after around 3 years ownership due to needing to fund a house purchase.... Would have another in a heartbeat but would go with one built by DB replicas

[@accobra383]

Cannot recommend Dave Brookes high enough :-)

[@colinmclean2523]

I wasn’t really a classic cars fan till, many years ago, I went to a museums conference at the Motor Museum at Beaulieu. I skipped a few sessions and was to be found drooling over an AC Cobra. This brings it all back. Fab review. Still love my MX5 though......

[@seanconnelly54]

I've got one with the V12 engine with 6 shiny sets of 44 IDF Twin webbers - everyone loves it, and the engine sound is incredible, will set an alarm off at a 100 yards - not for the fainthearted and about 8 mpg, but good for a Sunday Blast !!!!

[@RichardCowdrey]

I'm always so impressed with the quality of the narration and the organization of thought. I mean, he riffs for 13 minutes and its always brilliant

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Thanks Richard

[@robertkerr8518]

Been drooling over the Total Headturners stand at the Members Meeting for years now, even got as far as discussing finance last year. Stunning cars and friendly guys, still think one day - need to clear some space in the garage first!

[@stevepiccinnin1157]

Oh James,.. u are getting good at this!

[@colinellison762]

These Cars are amazing, Ive owned my AK for over 20 years and still puts a smile on my (and everyone elses) face, buy/build one while you can!

[@venom5809]

The 427 Cobra is one of my favorite cars ever, my neighbor down the road actually has a real Cobra, he doesn't really drive it though as you might expect, he does however daily drive his 2005 Ford GT to work in the summer. Both are in the proper spec, blue with the white stripes.

[@GazzaView123]

Awesome cars, great review, James! A few years ago, 25 or so, the workshop foreman where I worked at the time, built himself a Dax Cobra. It took him the best part of two years on & off to finish. It was painted in a deep metallic red, with cream leather seats with red piping & a deep red carpet, replica Halibrand wheels...and the best bit... a 5.3 fuel injected Jag V12, with an auto 'box. He said that I could pop round to his house one day & he'd give me the keys & I could take it out as long as I fuelled it. Unfortunately due to various circumstances it never materialised. He had the car for a good few years then , as far as I know, he sold it. I hope that it's still out there.

[@sportzntouring]

I used to dream of having one of these cars as a kid... One of the coolest cars ever made, even the replicas. But a V12 in one?!?! 😮

[@sportzntouring]

@Uncle Joe 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@julianneale6128]

I've seen a Dax with a Jag V12 in it. It wasn't heavily tuned but it did have 6 twin choke downdraft Webbers on it! The AC Cobra is a very famous English sports car and with a Jag engine would make it entirely British. With the incredible and fantastic race winning Jag V12 fitted must be amazing and something to drive. If I were to have one though, I'd just likely have a nicely tuned small block Chevy.

[@cologne2792]

An incredible thing! I love the amazing ability it has to make your hair disappear in the tracking shots only for it to reappear moments later. Great review.

[@rodneybrand7512]

I had the Dax Tojeiro with 5.7ltr Chevy engine . It was built by Dave Brookes up at Stoke on Trent

[@richardcarter1000]

Love it. Went in a chums V12 Dax years ago. Taken out to 6.0l. Absolutely nuts...

[@skeetersaurus6249]

The company Factory Five makes an EXCELLENT kit Cobra, and with you supplying the powertrain, you can be painted and rolling for around $30k. Most of the kits rely on the Tremec 5-speed, IFS/IRS and around 500-man/hours to assemble (with a modicum of tools, skill and location).

[@Ozgrade3]

Am I the only one who thinks this - close your eyes, listen to Jayem speak and there's more than a touch of the great Murray Walker to his voice. He should be on the F1 commentary team.

[@johnbradshaw5900]

One of the most iconic cars in automotive history, glorious!

[@petyrkowalski9887]

Great review and I agree with every word, every sentiment. I owned a Cobra almost identical to this, same engine and spec but with under-body exhausts which I prefer. It was plenty fast enough, amazing fun and very easy to maintain. They dont depreciate either.

[@Mr_Lemon_Law]

A cuppa and a Cobra. Perfect start to my Saturday. Thanks again!

[@X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X]

I have to say the idea of a replica as a weekend car rather appeals to me

[@X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X]

@Uncle Joe Congratulations on your car! I've always rather fancied the Daihatsu Copen myself, such a unique car is this automotive world of SUV and Crossover blandness. Have a blast in it, Sir!

[@ElTurfStuff]

Always wanted to own one. But lack of roof always put me off, ‘cause no garage to store it. Sounds amazing. Looks superb.

[@robbiehutchin679]

427 hardtops is the answer. Look them up.

[@Buck3366]

I kinda got the vibe that J really liked this one 😂

[@davekennedy6315]

I used to work in Witham, Essex where in the early 90s they used to build some very high spec., high price Cobra replicas (if anyone out there can remember the companies name please remind me) I used to hear Cobras and Jaguar D Types daily, including best of all full bore tests down the nearby A12. It was like mechanical thunder! Certainly made for an exciting time for a teenaged me haha!

[@byronmills5952]

Probably L R Roadsters who built both D type and Cobra replicas over an Adrian Reynard designed spaceframe chassis.

[@davekennedy6315]

@@byronmills5952 possibly, but I thought it had a single word name. It's drivin me mental haha! These were proper high end motors going for (I think?) around the £100,000 mark back in 91-93.

[@protestagain]

Oh, I would like to have one. One of my dream cars from my childhood.

[@MalcolmXpat]

i watch these uploads from Afghanistan. can't wait to return back to the UK and spank all my money on a new motor.

[@MalcolmXpat]

@@h.j.70 For now im in Kandahar as a contractor.

[@r0464]

What did you get in the end?

[@adamhenderson4318]

Had a AK with a Rover V8, drive from Manchester to Dundee in the rain - not huge fun on that day but had some good trips with it.

[@tkx86]

Superformance are going to be my guys I go to for my Cobra oneday.

[@akr01364]

A friend here in the US has one of the Factory Five versions he swaps powertrains in given how easy it is to do. The best one? Even for a 'Murican like me, the Alfa Busso v6. It's a cobra with that for a sound.

[@RickOAA]

I would see a Cobra replica occasionally cruising around the neighborhood as a kid. Certainly one of the most visually stunning cars one can see, as well as one that is still plenty capable by modern standards.

[@barrythurston356]

Hi Jay, The first review of yours I saw was the one on the Kougar. Next thing I knew, I was at THT buying a Seabring Healey and a Rover 3.5l powered Pilgrim Cobra which I recently upgraded to a Dax Di-Dion 5.7 Chevy powered Cobra replica. Something Mark at THT refers to as a grown up big boys Cobra! I totally get what you meant in this vid by “delayed gratification” I don’t take it out often because of the Covids lockdown but when I do, I grin like a Cheshire Cat! Many thanks for connecting me with the Guys in Epping and for the great reviews!

[@JayEmmOnCars]

My pleasure. Hope you told them you had seen the video!

[@barrythurston356]

Of course I did James! 😊. Big time!!

[@sp00ky1969]

I had a Dax Tojeiro about 20 years ago with a mildly tuned 5.3L Jaguar V12 in it and a Getrag 5-speed box. Great fun and a lovely noise. There wasn't much spare room in the engine bay...

[@timorgano]

Cobra with a Jag V12. Now THAT would sound SWEET!

[@stu0508]

The one i saw at Stoneleigh Kit Car show didn't sound great to my ears, just seemed wrong in the Cobra shape. Not only that but they tend to be auto only (As per most v12 jaguars), extremely heavy (and have poor weight distribution due to long and tall v design). Worst of all an LS will run rings round it in every respect, even fuel economy. The jag v12 is not a good engine for any car imo...

[@dazasc3994]

Jag v12’s sound awful

[@Tomislav_B.]

Anyone remembers Cobra build on Discovery "A Car is born" with Mark Evans? What a show! If I remember correctly it was a kit from manufacturer called Sumo or something like that. Edelbrock V8, LSD diff... And my favourite was "A Car is reborn" where Evans restaurated straight six E-type Jag. Man, I still have that recorded on VHS, on the last episode he brought Jag test driver from the 60's, tears were rolling from my eyes. 😢

[@ReplicantBattyman]

Pilgrim?

[@Tomislav_B.]

@@ReplicantBattyman Probably!

[@richarddarsa6353]

Brilliant, I ask for a Cobra review and there it is, nice one, thanks. I'm going to have to get one, it's bucket list stuff. The choice and options are fantastic, and it's as close to having a big bike as I will ever go in attempt to avoid a premature bucket!

[@charlietwotimes]

I've owned a Chevy LS1 & a Ford Boss modular. I love them both in their respective set-ups. A Chev in a Cobra just rubs me the wrong way. So does a Coyote. 427 is the only "correct" engine.. I'm getting old + inflexible but I know what I like. Anything except a 427 is straying too far from the magic.

[@paulhodgkinson9500]

Thanks for the review James. I have one of these in Sydney, it’s former owner having imported it from the UK. Almost same spec as the one you drove but mine has I believe the first LS7 in it from DAX and the build was covered by UK kit car magazine . I love it and I glad you saw past the replica kit car stigma. Keep up with the channel

[@stu0508]

More stuff from total head turners please!!!

[@Joey4420]

I have owned a West Coast Cobra, with a SVO460 in it for almost 5 years. What a fun car, of course I am selling mine due to headaches, hard to drive a car like this if loud noises give you a headache.

[@DashDrones]

Cannot believe you're only 30. Superb knowledge and experience!

[@francobanzini665]

Good review James I had a Gardner Douglas Cobra a few years ago Ford 302 V8 in Ferrari Grigio and dark red interior The GD has a lotus style back bone chassis and handles and rides brilliantly The weather equipment is terrible though - not a car to drive in the wet! Had numerous kit cars over the years - all hugely underrated and highly individual

[@Punisher9419]

You see if I owned a car like this I would daily it everywhere.

[@P-I-D-D-Y]

I would too but would only work somewhere in LA as there is no roof.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Check out 427 hard tops

[@P-I-D-D-Y]

@@JayEmmOnCars ooooh. That makes it a much more realistic investment 😩

[@P-I-D-D-Y]

I've got some saving to do

[@nate_d376]

Certainly a great entry for a cobra. Here in the states we have factory 5, very similar in price and it's a kit as well. One of my dream cars...👍 Oh, and my driving shoes...converse originals, hi tops.

[@user-qq2mo1ek2r]

And then you have the very well respected South African brand... Superformance.

[@nate_d376]

@@user-qq2mo1ek2r haven't heard of them. I'll have to look them up. Thnx.

[@backseatcovers]

Looking at those dials, it reminds me of old propeller airplanes I used to "fly" in Microsoft Flight Simulator.

[@rustynail6363]

Probably one of my all time faves, just wish I was forty years younger and took the plunge to bankrupt myself to own one :)

[@johnnyboy1586]

I love the dssh layout in this car

[@lyndseycooke2485]

Beautiful car

[@Zyworski]

Everything you say about the Cobra recreations is true, they are a very flexible little sports car, and better than the original. There are many companies that put these kits together, and some are better than others, some are built on square channel frames and others are tubular. Some of the models of cobra recreation are authorized and others are not. No matter who build one of these cars it will always be momma's nightmare.

[@jesserhodes7430]

great vid as always. with all of the attention on super cars i never though of getting a replica. the ownership experience sounds great and what a beautiful car. it looked really fun to drive and sounded amazing.

[@user-qq2mo1ek2r]

Having owned one for a few years I can tell you they require the minimum of maintenance... I chose mine over a TVR for that very reason. Annual routine engine service, brakes etc I had done by a mobile mechanic and insurance was £250 a year full comp limited to 6k miles a year and at the time I was in my early 40's

[@duncanbleak3819]

Magnificent. Simply magnificent.

[@stu0508]

The fact that most people looking for a weekend toy don't own a kit car just goes to show how people truly have more money than sense. Throw in the fact that they just don't seem to depreciate and it's a winner! Sssssshhh!

[@richarddarsa6353]

Bet they take an awful long time to sell though.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Same with most specialist vehicles

[@stu0508]

@@richarddarsa6353 Bought my Westfield Seight for 7500 and sold for 8999 2 years later (having made a few improvements admittedly). I sold it on ebay in an auction. Took me less than 10 days to sell. Virtually the same with my best buddies TVR Chim (not a kit car but kinder is too lol).

[@grahamnutt8958]

I really like the idea of an old school classic with custom options. With a hardtop this could, in theory, be used as a daily drive...... albeit with a hefty fuel bill...... but offset with sensible affordable servicing etc. I know that many purists will hate on this but it can't be helped....... and that comes from someone with a 1972 Rover! Don't worry James..... we will hook up at some point ok. 👍👍.

[@robbiehutchin679]

Check out 427 hardtops

[@lorddoobsworth144]

I saw a video of a guy getting 48 mpg with a 5.7 litre LS1

[@grahamnutt8958]

@@lorddoobsworth144 I can't even get close to 20mpg lol 😁

[@harveywhite3001]

My dream car

[@stu1944]

Been dreaming of one for many years.... oneday

[@ferociousmullet9287]

As a fellow man of exaggerated proportions seeing Jay squeeze into a Cobra gives me hope.

[@grahamwest1079]

My uncle built a Dax cobra in the early 80s it started with a rover V8 which I was fortunate to have a drive of. He later dropped a Jaguar V12 into it but I never got to get a go in that version.

[@markchip1]

A truly magnificent car! I'd absolutely love to have one - as long as I could get an auto-box and a boot-rack for my wheelchair! Perhaps a 5 litre Coyote engine might sound a bit better but I'm not going to fuss overly about details!!

[@richardharrold9736]

Coyote definitely won't fit, those big twin-cam heads and tall 90-degree block make for a very bulky package. The LS being OHV is remarkably compact for what it is.

[@jamesengland7461]

Loads of fun!

[@Traktion1]

Lovely! I need one of these in my life!

[@grahamsmith2022]

Fantastic,just need a garage or at least a car port for when it's tipping it down with rain.

[@BobMorcom]

A quick correction, Unique Autocraft ( who were just up the road from Dax when Dax were making fibreglass replacement panels for Escorts etc) the first Cobra replica builder.. ( I built one 30 years ago.. Still have it😀).

[@chriselse515]

Such a cool variety of cars on this channel cobra is such a cool looking car.

[@winstonmace4865]

The Cobra is on my list of cars to own. Luckily, in South Africa we have quite a few good companies to choose from - Backdraft, Superfornance, Hayden etc. My dream Cobra would be replica of the earlier 289 cars with slightly more subdued bodywork rather than the muscular look of the 427s. Great video by the way James. Keep it up.

[@steeltrap3800]

That would be fun for over here in Aus. Ironically, however, you'd be worried about driving it during the day for 6 months of the year as you'd likely end up with dreadful sunburn. Be great for evenings, however, and from about April through September ought to be fine.

[@V8Adam]

Another great video, love these cars and you bought up some interesting points. That one looked fantastic!

[@minatormyth]

I think the replica cobra as well as the GT40 replica might be one of the few cars that being a kit car does not matter. There just known as a Cobra or GT40.🤘 Were as even though I have had a f355 spider for 15 years. If had a £1 for everyone that asks if its a replica, I would be in an F50 😂

[@malcolmhardwick4258]

I guess you've not lived until you've experiened the wind through your hair in such a car !

[@Maurice_Moss]

I'm guessing the whole Cobra thing, is basically the same as the Lotus seven design. Lots of people are making it in different forms.

[@Ofthe7thSon]

Hello, have you tried turning it off and on again... You’d best put seatbelts on your ears Roy, I’m about to take them for a ride....😋

[@originalforgery]

Glorious..... The classic car equivalent of a Lancaster Bomber.....

[@danielmarshall4587]

THANK YOU.... Great vid. I suspect in many ways this option is the best way to go, for sure a "real cobra" would be lovely, but.....

[@Vinttro]

Simon keeps looking at Cobra’s 🙄 … great video and review as always James ✌🏼

[@takz0743]

The most wonderfully absurd car I can think of. That's why I want one more than anything else.

[@heikkiremes5661]

One of those cars that belongs to any top 10 dream garages. Needs a new 5.0 or a classic 427 SOHC imho.

[@gilesward7700]

It will be mine..... one day. Great vid.

[@lanmastersassistant659]

love the car. just i would option more orignal wheels and maybe change the stance just a touch to look a little more original.

[@robertoriv5574]

This has always been my dream car :')

[@adamsweet3587]

As mentioned by others here, this is not an LS motor, It would be good if Jay amended the title or description to say that this is a SBC Gen 1 motor, not Gen 3, the only thing that this engine has the same as the LS series, is the bore spacing of 4.4". I only clicked on this vid because I have a LS1 in my Pilgrim Sumo.

[@Jabber-ig3iw]

Shelby originally went to Chevy for an engine for the cobra but they wouldn’t sell one to him because they didn’t want to aid a competitor to their Corvette, so he had to go to a Ford.

[@bravofoxable]

You should check out "Spitting Image" in South Africa, also LS powered, also rhd

[@thedrivebygg]

Just looks right, great video

[@Sumpula]

Now your S2000 + LS1 + T56. That's what im doing one day if i ever have the money for it.

[@christopherparkes4894]

I love the way he sold cars! Stick a $.. bill on the windshield, if you can grab it you can keep it! Bang! The right foot goes down.. now say that in a Birmingham accent! Who am I???

[@lukeshardlow768]

Love it, maybe spec an Aston v12. Or just go for the 4.0 or 4.2 supercharged from Jag it would be epic with the whine!

[@CharlieboySLONDON]

My driving shoes are also Lonsdale's 🤣 Cheap, replaceable and very slim, cant beat them for £16 , They get most use on Forza unfortunately 🙈

[@stefanospasaro7668]

Awesome video love the Dax Cobra 🤙🤙

[@iamhole]

i bought a robinhood S7 Part assembley kit for the XJS V12 in 1993 (still got it)

[@eliotmansfield]

@4.11 that’s an iron sbc, not an LS. In fact none of the cars they have for sale are LS engined.

[@ranekeisenkralle8265]

When talking about the engine options and Jay said "If you want something a little more British.." I had three words stuck in my mind - instead of the Jaguar options he listed: Rolls Royce Merlin. Granted, i doubt that beast of an engine would even fit in there, but it doesn't get a whole lot more British than the engine that won the air war over Britain, now does it?

[@Punisher9419]

More like a Napier Saber.

[@bhante1345]

Replica, big whoop, it's a work of art. This elitism of people saying, "yeah but it's a kit car," so, it's much cooler than a new Mustang.

[@trentweston8306]

I knew people were wrong saying the answer to everything is Miata (MX-5 to you and I). The answer should be Cobra!

[@fbboringstuff]

i 'drove' the AC 427 S/C in GT6... crazy!!! it teleported not accelerated it moved so fast, anything short of a very recent and extremely fast supercars was just blown into the weeds. alas that was the only good aspect of it. the bastard handled like a demonic shopping trolley menacingly determined to kill you. I even did a hot lap at the "ring" crazy fast (50 years ahead of its time fast) but was such a pig to drive i was relived to even gotten a official lap (not struck down for cutting, going off road mostly).

[@thomasrichards3167]

Great review great car really enjoyed this video subscribed!!

[@stuarthunter7559]

Wibble Wibble want one want one now

[@beachboy0505]

Ticks all the boxes. Amazing

[@davidphillips7255]

If it was mine I would have the 427 LS with the stock fuel injection and a Tremec six speed for power, better fuel economy ( relatively speaking ) and more fun. And leave the Ford badges off the side.

[@groupb5420]

“ Le Mans coupes “ do the best sounding cobra that I’ve ever heard ( 5 litre coyote) along with their GT 40 ( this British company actually owns the rights to the Ford GT40 name , check them out ) I certainly wouldn’t turn one of these down as the price isn’t extortionate 👍😎

[@richardscott5529]

Used to be a place in Hertford Heath that did these Ram I think.. back in the 90s no idea if still there..

[@JohnJackson-hy7dn]

Might be a Chevy small block, but definitely not an LS. LS engines don't have distributors.

[@rogerwennstrom6677]

Yeah, this looks more like an old school cast iron small block 350 crate engine rather than a modern aluminium LS engine. (I'm far from an expert though)

[@brandonherrera2891]

Correct, not an LS. Also, he says "cams" in the vid. Only one cam in an OHV engine.

[@accobra383]

100% a SBC in the video

[@velvetjones1856]

The original Cobra was a kit car of sorts. But I think a proper clone should use a Ford V8, not a Chevy or Jag. A small block 427 Roush with fuel injection looking like a set of Webbers is always cool.