dream realising a

The AC Cobra is a car that needs absolutely no introduction. Since the first Cobra was born back in 1962 this iconic car has featured in movies and had songs written about itelevating it to movie star status. It is a motoring legend. I was lucky enough to discover an owner-built Cobra Replica in Geraldine recently, owned by Paul Robins, who also happens to be the owner and curator at Route 79 Museum. I had to know more.

Yes, Paul owns and runs his own, immaculately presented museum full of cars of all makes and models, old motorbikes, horse buggies, WWII era vehicles, cannons and various artillery. But, ask him if he has a favourite, the answer is immediate, “The Cobra is pretty special,” he smiles.

Paul’s fascination with the Cobra goes back many years, from when he first saw one in a book. An aircraft engineer, he remembers being totally captured by the sleek, curvy, lightweight body that had been coupled with the grunt of the V8 engine. He knew that one day he would own one.

An original Cobra can be priced right out of the market for your average punter. A kit car is so much more affordable, and, as Paul points out, possibly more enjoyable knowing that you have built it. “There’s absolutely nothing like sitting in a car and knowing that you poured your heart and soul into it. You know every nut and bolt that’s gone into it, and you can feel them all working. Every part of the car, is there because you put it there.”

Now if you’re not interested in technical details, I suggest you scroll down past the next few paragraphs, but I know that many motoring-savvy readers will want to know these details; when it comes to kit cars there are, after all, as many different options in a home-build as there are home-builders.

Paul ordered the bare body kit from a Wellington fabrication company back in the early 80’s and built all the systems himself. At the time he was working away from home a great deal, so the entire build took him six years.

The Cobra is built on an e-type Jag back end and a Torana front end making it pretty unique. The engine is a 289 Ford V8 engine paired with a C4 automatic transmission. Weighing in at just 950 kilos, and with 270 brake horsepower. Paul tells me he’s a very responsible driver and never exceeds the speed limit, but there’s a bit of a grin, which tells me not to take that as gospel. I’d advise you pack clean underwear – if you’re lucky enough to be invited along for the ride, I think you’re going to need it!

“It goes like a cut cat – not that I’d ever do that.” Another grin. Beautifully finished in metallic blue very close to the original cobra, with a single hoop chrome-plated roll bar, it’s a car with classic appeal. “I do have it on display in the Museum, but it’s not a show car. I take it out when I can, although not as much as I did back in the 80’s and 90’s.”

Paul’s 1985 Cobra Replica draws attention wherever it goes. He says it still feels pretty special to drive. “It’s easy to spend two hours or more out on the road, enjoying every minute of it.”

Last week Paul had three other Cobra Replicas unexpectedly drop in. “They were built completely differently, but that’s the beauty of building your own car. We all had amazing cars, that were built just the way we wanted them because we’d built them!”

“Owning, building a Cobra is a dream for a lot of people, and I’m lucky enough to have done that. It’s an exciting car to own, and exciting to drive. It doesn’t get much better.”

No matter what sort of wheels you’re into, classic and vintage cars, mountain bikes, 4x4’s, motorbikes, stockcars, aircraft, you will not be disappointed!

This iconic schedule of wheel events has them all - and many more besides - celebrating everything that trundles, cycles and rolls on and off the road!

First up on the programme is the Ashburton Vintage Car Club Swap Meeting - now a muchawaited event, drawing lovers, lurkers and lookers from throughout Mid Canterbury, Timaru, North Canterbury, Christchurch and beyond, all searching for that elusive part, piece of memorabilia or must-have treasure.

There are street sprints, American rod and custom car show, motorcycle show, mountain bike relay racing, Rotary Club classic car run, Plains Railway will be open, wheelchair basketball, Ashburton Aviation Museum will be open, classic boats on Lake Hood and plenty more.

For details of events and registration, check out the website www.wheelsweek.co.nz