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Under the hood of the Aurora resides a 1983 small block 302 cubic inch Ford Mustang GT motor. Unfortunately the carburetor has been removed for the time being because of the flames that were exploding out the rear tailpipe. I suppose that could be a pro or a con, whichever way you look at it!I was lucky enough that my dad let me autocross this car when I was only 16 years old. In retrospect, it was probably pretty crazy to let your teenage daughter drive your Cobra replica, but I thank him time and time again for giving me the opportunity (Hint, hint to all the fathers and mothers out there!). I drove the car on and off for around two years until I was 18 when my autocross weekends came to a screeching halt. While on my way down to meet my dad for car night at a local burger joint, my leisurely drive through the canyons (at the posted speed limit of course) took an unexpected turn when the brake pedal lost all pressure and sunk to the floor. In order to avoid hitting the car in front of me , my last resort involved having to pull the emergency brake when the back wheel slid out and swiped the curb sending the car spinning in the opposite direction and hitting a tree straight on from the rear. The collision completely shattered the rear end of the fiberglass body and sent me to the hospital.
Back in 2007 the SCCA had a great event that was held every year in November for a ladies only autocross day. During this event the women would get coaching from other seasoned women drivers and the men would work the autocross course. I wish every autocross day was run in this fashion!
Here is the post accident damage that, for lack of a better term, “exploded” the rear end into a puzzle of fiberglass pieces. The irony of the whole thing was my auto cross helmet was in the trunk from the event that I had attended earlier that weekend. Needless to say that one of the first things that is on the agenda for this car is repairing and modernizing the braking system. The front rotors are currently Ford 11in vented discs with single piston floating calipers while the rears are 10in inboard mounted solid disc twin piston fixed calipers manufactured by Triumph/Jaguar. Just to make things difficult, the rear hubs are from a 1980 Corvette, which were later re-drilled to a Ford bolt pattern while the fronts are from a 1983 Mustang.
The front brakes of the Aurora are one of the things that need the most attention in the build. The combination of the dated single piston system, worn brakes lines and undersized rotor diameter is not suitable even for mild performance oriented driving. The front braking system was what initially caused the failure due to a worn brake line that burst under pressure.
8 comments
Ashley, whatever happened with the restoration of this beautiful Aurora Mark II…?
Did you complete it? Do you still own the car? Can you post an update?
Good Afternoon, Great story, would love to see the end result, I am lucky enough to have one of the unfinished Aurora’s, I was told that it was one of two left over when the company stopped making them and the previous owner was the gentleman who manufactured the “Rotus” the Lotus Super7. replica., bought it from the remains of the company… I cannot wait to get started on mine, but have a 1966 MGBGT to finish first…. best wishes.
David – do you still have the Aurora Cobra ?
thanks
-Gianni
Hi GIANNI, my apologies, I haven’t looked at this site for years!! Yes, I still have the Aurora, still waiting to be done, about to move it from one storage to another so I will try to answer the other question about how it is labelled, thanks
If you purchased an unfinished or parts Aurora car, did it have a solid rear axle or the Jaguar unit? Was it badged as an Aurora or ?
Thanks, Ian
Hi Ian, very late reply, it has no badges at all and it has the Jaguar rear end…
Hello from Hamburg,
we are busy to overhaul axles on Aurora Cobra #158. We do have massive problems to find correct bushes for the rear SLA suspension. Can anyone help and knows where they come from. Every information is welcome.
Best regards
Frank
frank.schauer@morganpark.de
Hey Frank I am building an unfinished from the factory Aurora. I also couldn’t find replacement control arm bushings. I found bushings from Energy suspension that are very close to original dimensions. I ordered them and am waiting for them to get delivered. They are special order and come in bulk. the details are…. bulk-2044 $4 each total of 32. bulk-15.10.13.39 $6.50 each total of 16. This is for the rear control arms only. Hope this helps Regards Randy