Ghia Vs Cobra

[ange73]

Hiya.

Stumbled across these fine forums, and thought id try out a question on you guys.

Apart from the engine and maybe some suspension, what is the difference between a 74 ghia, and a cobra II ?

I know alot of you will have 2000 different things to mention, but what im looking for is this;

Would it be possible to take a ghia, and make it look like one of those nasty racing style cobra II's ? From what i can tell, the front looks the same, exactly, - only the rear is a bit different - and even then a ghia hatchback, looks to me like it could get those "fins" on the side of the windows, and match it pretty closely.

Am i missing something else in the basic outside structure of the car?


Reason for me asking is that i live in a country where the cobra's are very rare to come by, and when they do, they often sell for 10x the amount you would buy one for. But i recently stumbled across a ghia mkII from 1974, and im thinking id slap in a v8, and just style it like the cobra ? (Blasphemic, yes - sorry, cant afford the real deal).

So any inputs on this?

/ange

 

[Power Surge]

Well, there's no such thing as a Ghia fastback, Ghia was the upscale coupe. Also, if you want to build a Cobra II replica, you definitely don't want a 74. The 74s had a different nose, radiator support, and LOTs of other things different from 75-78 because there was no V8 option in 74.

You can get any 75-78 fastback and make it look like a Cobra II. Most Cobra IIs that you see nowadays are fakes anyway.

 

[ange73]

Hmm.

I see- i might have mixed up the terms, seeing as english is not my native. What im thinking of is the ghia's with either something that looks like a hardtop (at the very end) or the ones that just have a roof all the way to the back.

Cant explain it better, - if needed ill try to find some pictures.

But from the pictures i have found, of the one im looking at, and the cobra II's (or similar ones) it just looks to me like they have the general same shape.

Oh and it might be important to point out that i dont want a cobra II replica, - id just like the ghia to look cooler, as in borrow some of the ideas/styling from a cobra II - the hood with intake, the skirts in the front and back, etc.

Thanks for your answer so far though! =)

/ange

 

[Power Surge]

Ok, there are two body styles for this car, the coupe, and the fastback. The coupe, has a trunk and the back window goes straight down. The fastback, has a hatch, which tapers back from the top of the roof, to the tailpanel.

A cobra is a fastback. A Ghia is a coupe. I'm just telling you this so you don't start looking for Ghias when you really want a fastback (if that's the case).

In either body style, you can add the front spoiler and hood scoop. The rear spoiler only fits the fastback.

There were non-Cobra models that could have came with the spoilers as well, and they were an option in 78 on any fastback. Most people with fastbacks, regardless of what model it is, usually put the spoilers and hood scoop on. All those parts are available in fiberglass in the aftermarket still.

Hopefully this helps. And like I said, look for a 75-78 car.

 

[Eos]

If you do find a coupe they can be made to look great too! All you would need was the Cobra II chin spoiler and scoop or your choice. Here is my 74 coupe, and yes it has a v8 swapped in.

 

[ange73]

Lots of info, thanks a ton.

So far, the coupe = ghia, i got that. And by a coupe, its basically meaning a car with 4 "real" seats ? I mean, its hard to tell if the fastbacks have real seats in the back, or if theyre the sportscar cramped up thingies! =)

But, i see your point. I wish i could go for a 75 though, but the 74 is available to me at approx 1000$ (Dont scream, thats cheap in my country .................. Yes, i would like to move in with anyone at this forum and get the hell away from this overtaxed we-hate-cars land.)

If i was to go for a 75, or a real cobra.. uh oh.. you dont want to hear the price. But from what ive seen so far, we are almost always 7-9 times more expensive than what you get the cars for. =/

So - the ghia as a 74, is available to me - no rust (basically), perfect interior, and a 4 cylinder, 2.3 liters which he claims might have lost some teeth on the drivebelt (? if thats what you call it) - and after it lost that, then before he found out that was the problem, he started taking the engine apart, then reassembling it - and now it wont start at all. So worst case scenario - i have to get new parts, or a new engine.

So im screwed - but what i really want is a car that can look mean - like the cobras do. It doesnt have to be , or replica the cobra, but if any of you know of a ghia, from 74, - or a model very close to it, with big hood scoops on it, and cobra style/evilness, then please post links, as all ive seen so far from this car on the net, are very pretty restauration jobs, where people keep them original.

Like Eos - which is very nice btw (Loved the sound of it)

But im looking to make this a badboy - so, if you know of any links, let me know =D And once again, thanks for your help =)

/ange

 

[T0BASC032]

You can make a ghia as nice or as suped up as you want. All it takes is time and $money$
At first glance, the only difference in a 1974 is the header panel (nose) being a little bigger than the 75-78.


For some examples of coupes:
http://www.mustangii.org/gallery/coupe_ghia.shtml

This Ghia may give you something to shoot for:

Here is a Cobra II just for comparison:

 

[Blue Thunder]

Oh, it's another "post your car pics" thread! Sweet.

 

[ange73]

Exactly what i was looking for.

Thanks a ton, i think im going to buy the damn thing and start work on it!

Any good links to aftermarket parts for the 74 ghia ? Im thinking bumpers, hoods etc ? Or maybe any of you know of cobra stuff that will fit ?

I know, i know.. i ask alot. =D

In any case, thanks a ton.

/ange

 

[a351Must2]

oooh...before and after --- '74 Coupe

 

[Eos]

If you get a ghia, rip off that nasty vynal top! You can find a hardtop regular non ghia coupe as well.

 

[ange73]

I was just out having a good look at the Ghia, - and i took some pictures, - if anyone knows where i could upload a few lemme know. But so far, it seems like theres very little rust in it, and all original emblems, door panels, interior etc is in excellent condition.

The only problem with it is that the engine stopped working due to what might be a defect/broken belt/driveline (if thats what you call it) - and he hasnt been able to fix it himself, then he let it stay in the garage, and finally decided to sell it, as he couldnt afford to send it to a mechanic.

So wednesday im going out to check up on the engine, and try to fire it up and see it again for a closer inspection - hopefully it doesnt need a new engine! =/

/ange

 

[ange73]

Uh oh - and i forgot to mention, - NO vinyl top on it, and it has been painted like 7 years ago, after it was removed.. so that looks very nice..

Im going to dream about this car tonight.. *sigh*

/ange

 

[Dano78]

You can make a ghia as nice or as suped up as you want. All it takes is time and $money$
At first glance, the only difference in a 1974 is the header panel (nose) being a little bigger than the 75-78.


For some examples of coupes:
http://www.mustangii.org/gallery/coupe_ghia.shtml

This Ghia may give you something to shoot for:

Here is a Cobra II just for comparison:

Well LOOKITTHAT!!!! Looks like Tunnelrams are makin a COMEBACK! IMO- The II is PRIME Tunnelram material!

 

[roadsterII]

Even though nothing beats a v8, you could always build a turbo 4 cylinder backed by a 5 speed. Good mileage and performance.

 

[jydCOBRAII]

Bluethunder, that is cool hood. Probably allready been asked, is it one piece or did you mold it on.?

 

[Blue Thunder]

Bluethunder, that is cool hood. Probably allready been asked, is it one piece or did you mold it on.?

Thanks, I looked around for a long time for that particular scoop. A guy on ebay was selling those scoops, and I glassed it onto the stock steel hood. If you check out the link for my cardomain page, there's pics of the bonding process.

 

[Power Surge]

Yep, Ghias can be fun.

This was my 351 powered 77, from when I was a teenager. The car was aptly named "Blue Thunder" and later on I had that painted on the rear quarters.

(no motor in the car in this pic BTW)