Paul Ambrose's blog

     Ho Ho Ho! Christmas is right around the corner and a secret project in Santa’s workshop might just become a dream come true for those 8-12 year old kids who always wished they could be a “real racecar driver.” This is one cool little car and I wouldn’t call it a “toy”.  This is actually a serious luxury electric car for kids who are ready to be seen as an adult and ride along with Mom or Dad until they retire the car to its collector’s status.  It qualifies as a collector’s item because it’s absolutely hand made but just sized down to be 2/3 the size of the real thing. It has extremely detailed components and is put together with superb quality and safety.

If that Cobra replica of yours is in need of a little exterior attention, a great place to start is to check out Miller Customs in Temecula, CA. Your car needs the kind of special attention it deserves and these folks have been in the business for over 25 years.  They specialize in custom, race and unique classic show vehicles and specifically the Roadster Replica.  You can get the car painted in any color you wish and, according to the owners, “chicks really dig a guy who drives a car painted by Miller Custom’s.”  Who can argue with that?

Are you ready to put some more power under that hood?  Maybe you just want to replace that broken old hunk of iron you’ve been calling an engine and get something that will be dependable. Either way, the Engine Factory has your answer.  This company makes crate engines for a Shelby Cobra that will fit into each and every Cobra Replica.  Instead of wandering aimlessly through the infinity of the ancient salvage yard for some greasy old block that will ruin your clothes before it needs Gunking and then a trip to a rebuilder, here’s a better idea.  Just reach for your modern cell phone and order a brand-new mill crate engine specifically chosen for your modern day needs.

If you are going to rent a car on a vacation, why not go all out?  That’s what drivers who long to get behind the wheel of a Shelby Cobra have been doing. Even more than that, you might be considering a purchase of a certain “classic race car” and need to take it out for a weekend to make sure you are doing the right thing before you lay down the tens of thousands in cash. That will also be fine but let’s keep this vintage car within the borders of the good old USA.  When you finally get it on the road, you will have to force yourself to keep it off the race track! If you can handle those simple limitations, then you may be well on your way to actually renting a Shelby Cobra for a dream weekend.

Keeping a dream alive is often more serious than most people realize. It’s dreams that eventually lead to gold medals and historic monuments and this is the kind of dream that race car enthusiasts are well informed to take notice of.  In the world of replicas, these cars aren’t always given a fair shake but the 1963 Corvette Grand Sport Replicas certainly deserve a bit more attention tha people might give. These cars incorporate details taken directly from the originals and the history behind the Grand Sport should tell you that this is nothing to shake a stick at.  

The idea behind the GTM Supercar is pretty simple. American car makers wanted to make a car that could run with the big dogs and help the average Joe to keep some spare change in his pocket.  Leave it to the Americans to think of the most practical considerations. Now, if you want a car that can beat Porsche, Ferrari and Lamborghini at a price that an ordinary guy can afford, wheel out the tools and clear out your garage because Factory Five has been waiting for you in the good old USA. 

An extremely authentic recreation of the original GT40 that won at Le Mans four years in a row, the Superformance GT40 has got all the experts signing off on its integrity. The company has even received a registry and licensed mark of identification that shows this series to be a true continuation of the legendary 1966 racer.

Originally known as the first "dot-com car", the Ginetta G20 is a light little roadster that excels in handling and performance. Let’s put that right out front because, if you are interested in competitive road racing, this British built car has got what you need.  Comfort and practicality?  Hmmm……Well,….

Despite the name, this kit car isn’t going to require a knowledge of rocket science in order to complete.  It may look a bit complicated because of the exposed structure but this is actually a great newcomer's build.  In fact, it is probably going to take longer to strip the original donor than it will to build the new Rocket Sportscars.  You're going to like it.

When you’re 5EXi, your SEXY.  What else can you say?  Here’s a car that is hand-built for your individual taste and performs in amazing fashion.  You can’t get much sexier than that.  Or can you?  In fact, the UK-built Marlin 5EXi-R is an even “sexier”, super-lightweight sports car that is based around a fully triangulated chassis for even sexier qualities than the first. 

But let’s not get too carried away. With its motorsport qualities and self-build options, the Marlin’s 5EXi is enough of a great alternative to the traditional Lotus Seven replicas that might have attracted other drivers in the past. The beautiful finish and detail make it a great catch for the racing enthusiast who wants to rise above the mainstream production cars.