As Told by David Lyon

I have been working for one of the largest aerospace companies for 20 years and am currently working as a field service representative in the Fort Worth area. My Cobra build started many years ago while I was still overseas. When I first thought that one day I would be able to build a replica of the original AC Cobra, I took the time to do the research as to what I wanted in my finished build. I was looking for a quality frame and body that were the best in the industry, I also wanted to build one with several personal touches that were different from the standard Cobras that were available from the manufacturers.

To start, I looked at the various companies that provided kits. I needed a car that came in kit form, not a rolling chassis or one with the body already attached. Years ago I had determined that the company that provided the best fit for what I wanted was located here in Fort Worth, Texas. Not only did Ultimate Classic Cars (UCC) have just the kit that I needed, but they were willing to work with me to make all the custom changes that I wanted.

The GT-427 from UCC, in my opinion, offered the highest quality frame and body for the configuration that I wanted. The interesting thing about it was that once I started the build, I started to think that I wanted to change a few things, but when I was finished I went back to my original plans and couldn’t be happier with the finished product.

When I was ready to pull the trigger on ordering a kit, UCC had just started to come out with their new upgraded GT-427 kit. It incorporated many improvements from the company’s original 427 kit. One of the first changes that I noticed was that the dash was now a separate piece from the body, so I was able to make a custom dash out of curly maple. I used a mahogany dye and an external wet-look urethane to give it the final look that really makes it stand out.

The next thing that I noticed was that the wheel arches were much higher on the new body and the kit now includes two-inch dropped front spindles that really improve the stance of the vehicle. Also, with the four coil-over adjustable shocks I was able to achieve a ride height that really makes the car look good.

I was also looking to use a Ford 9-inch rearend for strength, since the engine that I planned on using has 585 lb/ft of torque. The new GT-427 came with the option of either the IRS or the 9-inch rear end with a four-link suspension. I went with the 9-inch rearend and was able to get a custom gear ratio for it and also a custom width so that I could use the vintage knock-off wheels to give it the look that I was after.

I assembled everything on the car myself, including the body prep work and paint. The double lined trunk, hood, and doors that UCC offers really added to the quality of the car. Also, having all new parts and not having to scrounge and make do with used parts was a definite plus to the enjoyment of the build. (No used/donor parts are required for a UCC build.)

The engine bay was roomy enough for the 475hp Pontiac 400 that I used. Things were a little tight around the steering column, but Ultimate Classic Cars supplied a custom-length, tilt steering column that solved the problem of getting it around the engine block. With the 2:1 ratio steering rack that UCC provided with the kit, and the 13-inch Motolita steering wheel that I found, the steering is effortless even at low speeds.

The interior was well laid out, the foot boxes are roomy and the narrower transmission tunnel is designed to provide plenty of leg room. The door panels and carpet that were supplied gives the interior a nice finished look. UCC has designed unique seats for their cars and they work very well.

The extra four inches in the wheelbase of the chassis makes getting in and out of the car very easy. The body was extremely straight and took very little work to prepare it for paint. The doors, hood, and trunk all fit well and needed only a little sanding to get them to fit. I was able to lay out the stripes so that the hood scoop was centered and the lines flowed well from front to back.

Overall, the build didn’t take that long. I was able to add some custom work and touches to the car that really improved my enjoyment of the vehicle. Some people say that these cars are not always what you would expect them to be when you’re finished building one. I own other high-horsepower cars so I knew what to expect to an extent but was not sure what the 94-inch wheelbase and light weight would be like.

The UCC GT-427 has exceeded my expectations in many ways. This car is a driving experience like none other. Now that I have the car on the road I can say that this car is solid, well-mannered and a pleasure to drive. There is nothing that I would change on this car, as it has met and exceeded my expectations. The support and help that the people at UCC provided was exceptional. The owner, builders, fabricators, sales, and parts staff truly know their product and provide the ultimate in support to their customers. I can’t thank UCC enough for providing me the opportunity to make my dream car vision a reality.