If you don't read Which Kit? then you will have missed the review on the Classic Replicas' Viper. I have uploaded it (un-altered) so you may see what other people think about what I am building. Two Vipers were reviewed, the first was a 2.0Litre Pinto and the second (the demonstrator) was, you guessed it, the Jag V12 5.3Litre injection.

A direct evolution from the Brightwheel Cobra breed of the late 1980s, the Classic Replicas' Viper is one of the oldest established Cobras on the market. It is also claimed by its manufacturer to have one of the strongest fake snake chassis of all. To check out just how good the Viper is, we tried two very different cars.

Take one look at Graham Bannister's glistening and spankingly neat Viper and your automatic reaction is "wow!". The beautiful paint job, the superb engine bay, the leather interior and the cleverly executed detailing all add up to an outstanding creation. It's a joy to behold.
OK, until recently Graham was a Classic Replicas' employee, but that shouldn't cloud the issue. Graham could have been responsible for the Dome but he'd still get great credit for building a kit car which does the industry proud. And he's still in his early twenties, there was even a hint of strict budget applied here and there, although you'd never know it.
Started in February 1998, the Bannister Viper was finished the following June and has still only done 450 miles. Despite it being Graham's first effort, there were no problems with the build and assembly progressed smoothly to final registration. Under all the glitz is the chassis for which the car is so respected...

It's basically a very tough looking backbone and perimeter rail assembly made from large tubes which extend fore and aft to carry the suspension and provide crash protection. The footwells, bulkheads and spaceframe style centre tunnel are boxed in with steel and there are full steel floors. All in all it looks unbreakable.
Standardised for all Viper production, the chassis readily accepts either Ford Sierra or Jaguar running gear, the choice depending entirely on which engine is to be used. In view of insurance limitations, Graham elected to fit 2 Litre Pinto power and so natuarally used a Ford based chassis. Front suspension, rear axle and associated parts are all of Dagenham origin. For better braking Capri 2.8 vented discs have been used at the front, leaving standard drums on the rear.

Pinto engines aren't the most attractive looking units around but this one looks exceptionally tidy within a generally immaculate engine bay. Graham executed his own stainless steel panelling over the footwell sections at the rear of the bay and used just enough braided hosing to complete the picture. The Pinto itself was fully rebuilt, mods including a ported polished and skimmed head and a Kent fast road cam. Fuel squirts via a standard twin-choke Webber while drive is through a Ford Type 9 5-speed box.

The interior has been beautifully trimmed. The magnolia leather used for the dashboard, seats and door panels contrasts stylishly with the dark red carpet on the centre tunnel, rear bulkhead and footwells. All gauges are Triumph Dolomite and each has a neat, stick-on Cobra emblem which Graham printed out on his computer. The wheel is a quick-release job and there's plenty of shiny metal on items like the door catches, handbrake, gear knob and screen vents (from a Triumph Spitfire).
So what is this brilliant looking machine like to drive? Not surprisingly, with big rubber over those 7 x 15 and 8½ x 15 Centerline wheels the four-cylinder Pinto needs plenty of revs to make a clean getaway. Furthermore, you need to keep the revs up to get the best out of what is effectively a high geared powertrain, meaning that the car is most in its element out on the open road where you can let it loose.
It doesn't take long to identify a properly built kit car and this is unquestionably a fine example of the breed. Clearly though, chassis design plays a major part in the car's final assessment and Graham's Viper certainly enjoys that integral feeling of quality engineering. Whatever the road surface, the structure feels extremely strong and confidence inspiring, the suspension always able to do its job fully. And the end result is of course lots of grip and terrific road holding.
Despite having no bumpers, this fine Viper compensates with those amazing American wheels, stone guards on the rear arches and that neat stainless steel strip that runs along the body's lower edge between the wheels. It's a dream machine to look at and it drives as well as any 4-cylinder car can. But what happens when you insert a mighty Jaguar V12 under the bonnet?...

As you'd expect, Classic Replicas factory demonstrator runs nothing less than the biggest motor available. Somewhere in the middle Viper builders have used lots of Rover, Chevy and Ford V8's but the offical demo had to go the whole hog with Jag's massive, fuel injected 5.3-Litre V12. Over 300bhp enough for you?
How about over 150mph? Er... allegedly.

In distinct contrast to Graham Bannister's red, show standard beauty, the factory car looks altogether more subtle with its metallic grey paint and original style appearance. Finally completed last September (1999) when it passed the SVA, its build had progressed over a six-year stretch of carefully executed part-time work, and the result clearly displays the value of such dedication.
During his days running Brightwheel, Classic Replicas' boss Ken Cook had been offered an ideal Jaguar V12 donor car with only 46,000 on the clock. Bought for a mere £150,it was promptly put into storage until construction of the latest demonstrator began in 1993. XRU 509S uses all the Jaguar suspension parts in standard form. No chopping of the driveshafts is needed and the Viper's typical wide front wheel arches are there to accommodate the full Jag track. The Jag is again the provider of the adjustable steering column whilst the rack is actually an Escort one.
Unusual for the Cobra is the Jag automatic gearbox which was naturally rebuilt before fitment. Not surprisingly, the injection system's original wiring loom was retained but coupled up with Classic Replicas' own loom around the rest of the car.

In action, the V12 Viper simply goes like thunder. Who knows what the 0-60mph time is, but when it's this quick who needs a stopwatch?
The power seems limitless and could get you into big trouble with the law if you don't keep a beady eye on the road all around your storming chariot. The automatic box copes smoothly and effortlessly with every surge of petrol gushing into the engine, although this writer's personal taste would preferably run to a manual box.
Predictably, the massive chassis is more than capable of playing its part to get the best from Jaguar's finest. Its thorough engineering remains unmoved and unstressed by such stonking power, the car's overall structure feeling like a battleship on steroids. You won't detect any groans, moans or flexing with this tough cookie.
Suspension-wise you can't do much better than use the Jaguar bits, and the results speak for themselves. The Viper rides superbly, soaks up the bumps and responds instantly to your wishes. 235 and 225 tyres cover the 15 x 9" and 15 x 7" Halibrand replica wheels respectively and offer masses of grip. From this ideal situation comes all the confidence you need to drive the hell out of the car and exploit its road holding whenever possible.

The V12's cockpit is again neatly trimmed, its dashboard having the busier appearance than that of the 4-cylinder car thanks again to an extra gauge, extra switches and extra warning lights. It was intended to incorporate fighter plane style and it does exactly that. All components are Jaguar, by the way, even the central rear-view mirror which is from an E-type.

When it comes to performance, the two Vipers featured here are chalk and cheese and it's not difficult to decide which is more exciting. But the point is that, either way, you can build a top quality Cobra replica with a hugely strong chassis and temper the project's costs according to your pocket, age, wicked urges or whatever. Likewise you can also doctor the cars final appearance to your own tastes and style.