A&C is an excellent company. The fiberglass work is excellent on their Cobra kits. You have an option of ordering a color gelcoat finish, which would eliminate the need for spending a ton of time getting the body ready for paint (remember, whatever kit you built, that to everyone else it's just paint & wheels, so that's where you should spend alot of time!). Plus, gelcoat can look good, and it very durable for YEARS.

Street Beasts was formerly Classic Motor Carriages; a company that was a blight on the kit car industry for years. All of the magazines still accepted their advertising dollars though (which means that the magazine guys - Steve Temple and the rest - should not ever be trusted to give you the whole story on the kits; they're obviously only out for money, not to make the industry better). I have information from CMC, and got the requisite ten follow-up calls. I ordered information from Street Beasts, and the informational packages look pretty much the same (some word changes), and I got the requisite ten follow up calls. This was a few years ago, and I have not revisited the company since then. I really should, though.

Which brings me to another point. Kit cars - especially the kits that SB is selling - are timeless. Kit car companies do not have "year end sales," they are never going to be getting rid of kits, and there is never going to be a hook or a time constraint on your purchase. Don't ever fall for that. There are occasionally discounts, but these are rare and usually only offered when there's an overstock of kits. Because of the low volume, most companies will never have an overstock of kits; FFR being an exception, rather than a rule. Any discount you get today will probably be available tomorrow as well. Don't be pressured by a salesman. Salesmen are the bane of the kit car world. Salesmen are evil. SB employs salesmen, and these salesmen always seem to want to use high-pressure tactics to get you to buy the kit right now. Don't fall for it! They will offer you financing. Don't fall for it! The will offer you discounts on "the last one I've got." Don't fall for it!

Meat no likey salesmen.

On the other hand, there are a number of places to source out a 34 Ford replica. Pick up an issue of Street Rodder, and read through all of the information. There are companies (reputable companies!) that will help you get a package together to build up your car. If you don't want to do that, you can source a body from one place, a chassis from another buy a wiring harness, a drivetrain and put together a nice car just from ONE issue!

Additionally, street rods are a great place to spend all of your money and not get any return on investment, so watch the testosterone purchases! Usually (and this also applies to the kit car industry) the only person who ever loses money on a street rod is the guy who builds it. If you ask him (1) how much did you think it was going to cost to build? (2) how much did it cost to build? and (3) how much are you selling it for? you're going to get three different answers, with the middle question being the highest number. If you don't pay attention, you can lose your ass on a street rod. Make up a budget BEFORE you start buying parts, and stick to that budget. Get parts at auto swap meets, rather than buy new, and don't chrome everything.

And, speaking as a person who is obviously in the minority, for God's sake, put a FORD motor in your FORD replica! It's not a damned Chevy!

One of the cars I still haven't built yet, but that I think would be a great little ride, is a 1932 Ford Highboy. I've done a bit of research on it, and I can get it with an automatic, Chevy, A/C, a terrific stereo, tilt column and a seat with built-in cup holders.

None of which I want. Harwood says they can 'make me up' a chassis that will fit a Ford...but that I don't want a five speed. I beg to differ. Hot rods should have five speeds. A great hot rod should have a five speed, IRS, adjustable FS, Wilwood stoppers and should be able to hang with any other car on the road - Cobra included. I'm too young for cupholders!

Okay, I'm done babbling. A&C is a great company with a good product. Street Beasts is not a company I would recommend. Buy Street Rodder.

Wow, I could have just written that?

Your pal,
Meat.
A Food Group Of Many Words.