The lineup

Two Cobras. One '36 Cabriolet.

Kits and turn-key cars in our 427 and 289 bodies, built on our own rectangular-tube frame, plus the '36 Cabriolet street rod. Every one is built here in Gadsden, Alabama.

UMC-427 · BIG-BLOCK ROADSTERRed 427 SC roadster with white competition stripes
Model

427 SC Roadster

The powerhouse race car, built to beat the big-block Corvettes.

Our 427 body is very authentic to the original design, and it uses authentic parts and hardware, so it takes a close look by an expert to tell it's a replica. In 1989 we retooled the body completely, reshaping it from hundreds of photos of original cars for even wheel openings, a corrected nose and matching sides.

You'll know it by the smooth trunk lid, the "Le Mans" filler cap in the right rear fender, twin wide stripes running end to end, four round taillights and a chrome roll bar. Side pipes are larger than the 289's and usually chrome or ceramic-coated. It takes any small- or big-block Ford.

BodyHand-laminated fiberglass
FrameRectangular tube, 2 × 4 in main rails, 0.120 in wall
Front suspensionCustom tubular A-arms, adjustable coil-overs, anti-sway bar
Rear suspensionJaguar independent (Salisbury, Dana 44 gears)
BrakesFour-wheel disc, Wilwood 4-piston calipers
SteeringOriginal-style rack and pinion
Weight2,450–2,600 lb (big block)
Fuel tank20 gal aluminum
EnginesAny small- or big-block Ford
TransmissionsC4 or C6 automatic, toploader 4-speed, Tremec 5-speed
Roll barChrome
InteriorLeather seats, Stewart Warner gauges (Smith-style optional)
UMC-289 · SMALL-BLOCK ROADSTERLight blue 289 FIA roadster with red fender stripes and race number 96
Model

289 FIA Roadster

The competition body, named for the small-block in the first cars.

We added the 289 in 1991, adapting our 427 body into a replica of the 289 Competition car. It debuted that May at the AHA Knott's Berry Farm Kit Car Show, where Petersen's Kit Car editor Steve Temple chose it as Best of Show from more than 30 Cobra replicas.

The 289 grille mouth is larger at the bottom than the top, the trunk lid has the "dimples" made to fit the luggage FIA cars had to carry, and the "Le Mans" filler cap sits on the turtle deck. It usually wears a single team stripe on one fender, a side light for the race numbers and a forward-braced roll bar in black.

BodyHand-laminated fiberglass
FrameRectangular tube, 2 × 4 in main rails, 0.120 in wall
Front suspensionCustom tubular A-arms, adjustable coil-overs, anti-sway bar
Rear suspensionJaguar independent (Salisbury, Dana 44 gears)
BrakesFour-wheel disc, Wilwood 4-piston calipers
SteeringOriginal-style rack and pinion
Weight2,200–2,450 lb (small block)
Fuel tank20 gal aluminum
EnginesMost small-block Fords
TransmissionsC4 or C6 automatic, toploader 4-speed, Tremec 5-speed
Roll barForward-braced, black powder coat
Options"Le Mans" hardtop, quick jacks, brake cooler ducts
UMC-36 · STREET RODSilver and black '36 Cabriolet with the top down in the Unique shop
New model

'36 Cabriolet

Our step into the street rod market, after two and a half years of development.

We started with a ground-up restoration of an original steel-bodied 1936 Cabriolet owned by Tom Robeson of Knoxville, Tennessee. Our molds were made from that body, then tooled and retooled until the fiberglass body was right.

The body is hand-laminated fiberglass. Where most cars of this kind use wood to reinforce the body, ours uses laser-cut steel plate and pre-formed square steel tubing, which is stronger, lasts longer and gives a cleaner finish. Like our Cobras, it's built for quality fit and finish and easy assembly.

BodyHand-laminated fiberglass
Molded fromA restored, original steel 1936 Cabriolet
Body reinforcementLaser-cut steel plate and square steel tubing, no wood
DevelopmentTwo and a half years
Side by side

Compare the models.

The 427 and 289 share our frame, suspension and brakes. The differences are in the body details and the engines each one takes.

Model427 SCRoadster289 FIARoadster
Grille mouthBigger at the top, symmetricalLarger at the bottom than the top
Trunk lidSmoothDimpled, as on FIA cars
Fuel filler"Le Mans" cap, right rear fender"Le Mans" cap, turtle deck
StripesTwo wide stripes, end to endSingle team stripe on one fender
TaillightsFour roundTwo rectangular
Roll barChromeBlack, forward-braced
EnginesAny small- or big-block FordMost small-block Fords
Weight2,450–2,600 lb2,200–2,450 lb
Engines

Power play.

Headers and side pipes are custom-made for the engine you choose. Transmission choices are a C4 or C6 automatic, a toploader 4-speed or a Tremec 5-speed. Call us to talk through an engine and transmission package.

Big-block FE

FEBIG BLOCK

The setup the 427 was built around, dressed with the correct header tank and a turkey-pan shroud around a single four-barrel Holley. Some original 427s ran two four-barrels.

FITS 427 SC

Small-block Ford

SBSMALL BLOCK

The engine the 289 is named for: the first cars had a 289 cubic-inch block. Some competition 289s used Weber carburetors. Also available in the 427 body.

FITS 289 FIA · 427 SC

Your own engine

BYOYOU SUPPLY

Bring your own engine and we'll install it, or we can recommend engine builders. The deluxe pallet kit includes "dummy blocks" so headers fit your exact engine.

FITS ALL COBRA MODELS

Not sure which one?

Call us, or visit the factory any weekday by appointment. Ask for Maurice or Glenn and they'll walk you through both bodies.