Which original Cobra was used to splash your replica?

[SunDude]

I've been trying to piece together a list of the original Cobras that were used to prepare the molds for the replicas we all enjoy so much.

I've combed through the posts on this site, and tried to verify the list using the SAAC registry (where possible), and this is what I've come up with:

• Arntz/Butler: splashed CSX3193
• Aurora: splashed CSX2013
• BRA Beribo Replica Automobiles: COB6058
• Contemporary Classic: splashed CSX3045 for its roadsters and CSX2299 for its coupes
• ERA Replicas: splashed CSX2345 and CSX3252
• Factory Five: front half of MkIV bodies based on CSX3045, rear half based on CSX3035
• Johnex: 289 replica splashed from Aurora GRX body
• Hi-Tech Motorsports: splashed CSX3190
• Hurricane: splashed CSX3235
• Kirkham: modeled their cars after CSX3104 (along with drawings from CSX3107)
• Shelby Autos: splashed CSX3057 for its fiberglass continuation series cars (CSX4000/6000s)
• Superformance: based the design of its MkIII roadster on the Contemporary Classics replica (CCX3-3080 tbc); hired Pete Brock to design their own Daytona Coupe

How accurate is my list so far? Can you guys fill in the blanks or correct any mistakes?

Does anyone know which cars were used by Unique Motorcars, or Midstates, or any of the other companies I've missed?

[WardL]

How do they splash Cobras? what does that mean?

[Tom Cimino]

To "splash" a fiberglass part is to use an actual part (in this case, a Cobra body) as the "plug" for the mold. The part is polished and release agent is applied to the part. Then tooling gelcoat is applied to the part, followed by fiberglass and a framework to support what becomes the mold. The mold is then pulled from the plug and you have a reverse copy of the body.

[Karl Bebout]

I've been told that NAF used an original. Don't know if that's true. Don't know which one it might have been. I'm on my second NAF body but don't care if its from an original or not. Its a "KIT CAR". I feel no need to make it identical to an original Its a whole lot of fun. Its a whole lot of work. Its never been a trailer queen. I drag race the car and I drive the crapola out of it. Makes me smile a whole lot, but that's just me.

[1985 CCX]

Sundude

Nice job on the reference...
Cool to know.

[bobcowan]

FFR was going to use #198, Dick Smith's car, for their new bodies. Not sure if they actually did or not.

[mdross1]

Getting info like that tells me your a dedicated Cobra enthusiast.I know I am but not to that level.Good info to know and add to a cars portfolio.

[Sawdust]

Sundude,
You never cease to amaze me!!

Sawdust

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by bobcowan

FFR was going to use #198, Dick Smith's car, for their new bodies. Not sure if they actually did or not.

FFR used dick's car as a target for the digital scan system they used to create the "Mk IV" car. They did not "splash" the car but installed a buttload of small dots that the digital scanner uses as reference pionts. It is assumed that they then tweaked the scan to create a symetrical design as well as modifing the scanned information to suit their needs.

[Zedn]

The story of CSX3193 is here

http://home.comcast.net/~chuckcobra/.../index_427.htm

[SunDude]

Originally Posted by Mark IV

FFR used dick's car as a target for the digital scan system they used to create the "Mk IV" car. They did not "splash" the car but installed a buttload of small dots that the digital scanner uses as reference pionts. It is assumed that they then tweaked the scan to create a symetrical design as well as modifing the scanned information to suit their needs.

Sounds like FFR used modern techniques/technology to achieve the same goal as a traditional splash. Perhaps I'll add FFR MkIV and CSX3035 to the list, then.

[Rawkkrawler]

SunDude,

Any idea where Elegant Motors got their mold?

Mike

[elmariachi]

Originally Posted by SunDude

Sounds like FFR used modern techniques/technology to achieve the same goal as a traditional splash. Perhaps I'll add FFR MkIV and CSX3035 to the list, then.

At the risk of ruffling FFR owner feathers, that would be an erroneous correlation in my opinion. I have spent several hours overlaying Mk4 pics over 3035 and its just not a derivative in the same way a "splash" is derived. The efforts to deviate from 3035, either intentional or otherwise, make it too different to be compared in the same way that CCX is derived from 3045.

Thanks for putting in this effort.

[CobraEd]

Originally Posted by elmariachi

At the risk of ruffling FFR owner feathers, that would be an erroneous correlation in my opinion. I have spent several hours overlaying Mk4 pics over 3035 and its just not a derivative in the same way a "splash" is derived. The efforts to deviate from 3035, either intentional or otherwise, make it too different to be compared in the same way that CCX is derived from 3045.

Thanks for putting in this effort.

gotta be a tough way to do it. Why not splash it ?????



.

[CobraEd]

Anyone know how the hel they made the Classic Roadsters. It has different dimensions ???


.

[CobraDan]

When I purchased my Elegant Motors back in 1987 they claimed the molds were taken off an original cobra but no CSX was given. I think every replica maker usually makes the same quote and you can ask the owners of Unique as they are still around.

[elmariachi]

Originally Posted by CobraEd

gotta be a tough way to do it. Why not splash it ?????.

The process of digitizing and scanning in the 3035 body would have been very straight-forward using today's technology. As to why FFR chose to not to reproduce the 3035 is anybody's guess. I could not get any of the body lines to match up between 3035 and the new car. The nose is different, as are the door lines/openings as well as the rear fenders. Maybe they are saving the scan it for a Dick Smith tribute car or something.

"Splashing" a body the old-fashioned way, especially off of a fragile aluminum car is tedious but not rocket science. The story I was told about when the Hurricane car was copied was that it took all of a day to take the molds from the body. But they did it while the CSX car was assembled, and they did it in pieces. So the hard part was then to get it all back together into a unified body mold.

[SP01715]

Originally Posted by Tom Cimino

To "splash" a fiberglass part is to use an actual part (in this case, a Cobra body) as the "plug" for the mold. The part is polished and release agent is applied to the part. Then tooling gelcoat is applied to the part, followed by fiberglass and a framework to support what becomes the mold. The mold is then pulled from the plug and you have a reverse copy of the body.

Yep. This is done in the high performance boating world alot (splashing hull bottoms), but is highly frowned upon. It is considered stealing, and there have actually been lawsuits because of it. I guess in the car world it does not matter as much?

[1985 CCX]

Don't take this wrong.....(I do like FFR and their products)

I have seen both FFR MKIV and 3035 in person. Clearly not a splash......

Too bad to as FFR has a great product just not a splash or even a digital represention in my book.

[elmariachi]

Originally Posted by SP01715

. It is considered stealing, and there have actually been lawsuits because of it. I guess in the car world it does not matter as much?

Its considered stealing anywhere you do it without the permission of the owner of the design being copied. That was Shelby's beef all those years pursuing replica makers via lawsuits. But I think the courts, through the Shelby v FFR lawsuits over the design, have decided there is no trademark on the body and so anyone who wants can make copies.

But let's not let this thread erode into that subject. I think its great that we are trying to identify the heritage of some of these cars. I know that in Hurricane's case, several of us put a buttload of time and research into finding "Momma."