Every once in a while, a designer takes the concept of a Cobra and changes it a bit to take the replication of this popular marque to a different level. Such is the case with Group Five Limited's Cobrette, which places the Snake on a Corvette frame and propels it with Vette power.
Typically, Cobra replicas sit on either Mustang II donors or originally manufactured chassis, and generally, they employ Blue Oval power. However, when Chris Wilkins decided to make his foray into the Snake world in 1991 with Group Five, he did it his way, and the car we saw at last year's AHA Knott's Berry Farm Show certainly proved that he can create a stand-out car.
Wilkins starts his Cobrette (hybrid name of Cobra and Corvette) with a '68-82 Corvette chassis with a 98-inch wheelbase. He removes 4 inches from the rear framerail and utilizes a stock Corvette IRS with factory rear springs and brakes, to which he adds Penske shocks. The front suspension is stock Vette as are the spindles, antiroll bar, front brakes, springs, brake lines, steering box, and steering column. Penske shocks also are added up front. A Coleman racing master cylinder and pedal assembly are also added.
The engine is one that would get any Snake spitting venom. It is a 350ci Corvette eight-cylinder engine that spits out 350 hp. An Edelbrock 650-cfm carburetor, MSD ignition and coil, Mallory wires, and Edelbrock manifold accompany the blueprinted engine, and Hooker headers for '68-82 Vettes are bolted on. The transmission is a Turbo 400 automatic.
The body is all Group Five. The hand-laid fiberglass and Kevlar body shell sits over a stock Corvette radiator. The shell was painted a lustrous, ever-changing BASF Extreme Multicolor, and the body is accentuated by polished aluminum bumpers and Cobra headlights, taillights, and rearview mirrors.
And this car has air conditioning, courtesy of GM.
It looks like a Cobra, but it has lots of Vette in it--Cobrette, an interesting twist on the marque that gives this Snake a lot of swagger.
 In the California sunshine...  In the California sunshine at last year's AHA Knott's Berry Farm Show, the Cobrette's $600/quart BASF Extreme Multicolor paint job and unique hybrid style made it an impressive stand-out. |
 The '68-82 Corvette donor...  The '68-82 Corvette donor chassis had a 98-inch wheelbase. Wilkins removed 4 inches from the rear framerail and utilized a stock Corvette IRS. |
 The hand-laid fiberglass/Kevlar...  The hand-laid fiberglass/Kevlar body is accentuated by polished aluminum bumpers and Cobra taillights. Hooker sidepipes add to the Cobra look. |
 The interior is really a hybrid...  The interior is really a hybrid Cobra-Vette, as it may be the only Cobra in town with a Bow Tie emblem on the steering wheel. Auto Meter gauges and Honda Prelude seats finish off the interior package. |
 Corvette power in a Cobra...  Corvette power in a Cobra replica is an exciting variation. The blueprinted 350ci Corvette V-8 pumps out 350 hp. |