It's arrived. . . .

. . . .Cobra Magazine. 

For the past two years, a new magazine has been storming the Kit Car world. It's devoted to all things Cobra and is called, unsurprisingly and unimaginatively, Cobra magazine. Here the publisher (and editor of the first couple of issues at least), Den Tanner , tells you about what it's about, why it's been published, what's in it, when and where you can buy it and what you can do to be part of it. He's all excited, like a little boy with a new train set. . . .

Cobra magazine

Kit Car magazine has given birth to a daughter magazine called Cobra magazine. It weighs-in at a massive 244 pages, including a Rally Design catalogue. It's specifically geared toward those who are enthralled by Shelby 's legendry 1960's muscular classic sports car and its numerous clones. The first volume has 11 full and detailed colour features, and is designed to set the standard for future volumes. We'll be going into detail concerning every aspect of this super-car covering facets from the Cobra's social scene, Cobra ownership blessings and tribulations, technical specifications, full feature reviews of past and present Cobra replicas, Cobra models to Cobra book reviews. The Cobra's history, it's clones, build reports, tuning, improvements, engines, accessories, racing, buying new and used, Cobra dealers, Cobra clubs, Cobra owners. In fact if it's of interest to, connected with or related to the Cobra, then it'll be appearing in a future volume of Cobra magazine.

The Only

The market for Kit Car magazine is relatively small, so it follows that the market for Cobra magazine is bound to be even smaller. So, we're being careful. As publisher, I'm saving as much expense as possible by drawing on material that has already appeared in Kit Car magazine and by editing the new magazine myself. If you're a regular Kit Car reader, this publication probably isn't going to be your cup of venom because you will have read much of it before. In fact Cobra magazine shall have more than a passing resemblance to her mother. However, if like me, you're Cobra crazy, and unlike me you're not regularly taking Kit Car magazine but you're looking for a dedicated publication, then Cobra magazine IS definitely for you. It represents a sensible, more model specific alternative to the present broader kit car titles to give you exactly what you're looking for. Pure Cobra. Unadulterated Cobra. Undiluted Cobra. In short, it's the ONLY commercial magazine exclusively dealing with Cobras and what's more it shall develop and acquire more of a unique identity all of its own, as it grows.

Dedicated Book

We haven't even tried to get this niche publication onto newsagents shelves. Being realistic, sales shall initially be handled by mail order, over the counter at shows, using the internet and the new magazine shall hopefully be made available for sale through a number of Cobra dealerships, manufacturers and enthusiast outlets. Unfortunately, that means you can't buy it at those places traditionally associated with the magazine and book trade. To increase awareness of this exciting new magazine, we're sending thousands of copies to known Cobra enthusiasts in the UK and all over the world. Our hope is to build a world-wide mail order circulation of at least 5,000 copies within a relatively short period. In the longer term , we anticipate Cobra magazine becoming the second most popular magazine in the kit car industry, second only to Kit Car. By that tim e we hope that it shall be available through normal magazine shops, but let's not run before we can walk. As I've said, if you want it now you'll have to order it direct. Full details on how to order here.

Replica

Whilst we shall be covering the original Cobra and its history and achievements, we see the primary goal of Cobra magazine as expounding and publicising the dozens of replica Cobras presently available. Each edition shall therefore carry at least 3 in depth reviews of such Cobra clones plus build reports, technical articles and details of the various Cobra experts and their services. We shall report on all who are involved at every level of the Cobra replica industry, from private builders up to Mr Carol Shelby himself. However, it's the Cobra replica that shall receive the lion's share of the content. Cobra magazine shall be mainly devoted to the replica industry which is presently flourishing all over the world, but mainly in the UK . We'll also, to a lesser extent, feature past historic clones. On top of this, to give the magazine completeness and balance, Cobra magazine will also include details of and articles about original cars, their replicas and other kit cars that have an affinity or relationship with the Cobra. For example, the first volume includes features on CAV's GT 40 replica and, also from South Africa , Factory Five's latest ‘Spyder' which is designed to rival their own Cobra replica.

Assembly

Since the vast majority of Cobra replicas are made for home assembly, we shall be giving plenty of technical advice concerning how they're built, specific assembly techniques and tips, plus maintenance and repair advice. We shall be calling on the combined 100 years or so of expertise and experience of all the Kit Car magazine editorial staff. Kit Car, which has built up its technical reputation over the past quarter century of publication, will underscore all the technical aspects of Cobra magazine. Articles on car building, servicing, engines, suspension, tuning and repairs will be regular and commonplace. On the buying and building front, we'll give good solid advice from a completely unbiased and untarnished perspective. In fact, we're hoping that Cobra magazine shall quickly establish its credentials as THE consumer's authoritative friend in what, due to certain less than honest publications, has at times been a somewhat confused, dodgy and shadowy m arket-place. We shall not pull our punches. We shall clearly spell out what's good and expose the dross. We'll give sound honest advice as THE authoritative magazine concerning all things Cobra. We also hope to report on builders own experiences, by following individual customer builds from beginning to end.

Sales

Cobra m agazine shall become the primary reference for anybody wanting to buy or sell a Cobra as a complete vehicle. The first volume contains at least 50 Cobras for sale and carries a full range of advertising from the replica manufacturing industry. Finally it also carries a massive selection of advertisements fr m nearly everyone involved in the trade of selling parts, accessories, insurance and everything else of interest to Cobra owners. It's our hope that we'll become THE one stop shop for all your Cobra needs. We'll point you in the right direction for everything your Cobra requires and show you things you never thought your Cobra needed. To put this differently, we aim to become the ‘Exchange and Mart' of the Cobra community. We're certain that we'll become indispensable for both buyers and sellers of all things related to Cobras.

Cobra, the Only Book dedicated to Replica Assembly. We reckon that we're offering something Special. COBRAS

So, as you can see, we're aiming high. If you're into Cobras we reckon that we're offering exactly what you've been looking for - something very special, highly informative, authoritative, respected, unbiased, complete and, above all, entertaining. Why not order a subscription by clicking here and or email kitcarman@ntlworld.com Our pricing structure means the more you buy, the cheaper each issue becomes.

Finally, if you're a Kit Car subscriber and you'd like to take Cobra magazine as well, then (bearing in mind the overlap in content) we're offering you the exclusive chance to buy Cobra magazine at lower than normal prices. Again, for details see the form by clicking here and or email kitcarman@ntlworld.com