Lucky day for Brian!!

G-Pete · #1 (**permalink**) 08-08-2014, 06:47 AM

Lucky day for Brian!!

Yesterday I took my Cobra to work despite the expecting 98F in the afternoon. On the way home after work I passed the last on ramp before my exit on HW75.

There comes a red 427 body style from the on ramp up right side by side, I moved over from the right to the middle lane and make him space. He waived I waived back.

Because soon my exit is coming up, I accelerated a little and got in front of him. I looked into the mirror if he takes the same exit (lane changes to a exit only), there I saw he is fighting with the car and the front left wheel comes off and passes me.

:scared:

At that time our speed was about 50ish. I slowed down and Brian managed to get the car, sparking and scraping, off the highway into the grass strip. We jump out of the car and shook hands. Are you OK? Brian said yes, just a little shaken.

I told him to wait while I chase his wheel, two exits up ---- no wheel, so I turn around. He called already his wife and a tow truck. There swings a 1t Dodge by and said, hey I have your wheel and opens his camper shell. Sure there it is.

That changed the situation. Me: "Brian call the tow truck off, I have a plan. I drive home get my knock off spinner off, come back with tools and you will be driving that baby home."

So I drove home parked the Cobra, cut my safety wire on the spinner, took it off loaded the tools an on my way with the Tahoe. By that time I returned Brian had company with two other guys willing to help.

We had to dig a little because the frame sat on the grass, no big deal. The car was up and ready for receiving the wheel in no time. Silly me I forgot the hammer at home, so Brian followed me home and I hit all of his spinners. They all needed a little. About an hour later after Brian left, he came back and brought the loaner back. He will order 4 new ones from Trigo.

What a day!!! No one got hurt, the car has just some scrapes on the oil cooler opening and a ground down bolt.The outer rim of the rotor a little scraped, that's all. May his underwear little soiled, but I did not asked:001_smile::001_tongue:.

Here some pictures ---- Brian we never met before, but you are a lucky SOB hahahaha.

Buzz · #2 (**permalink**) 08-08-2014, 08:12 AM

Wow! All's well that ends well - just another reminder that these cars can never be taken for granted. Do your checklist routine before you drive!

PS - looks like a pretty nice Cobra - did you ask what brand? Judging by the front wheel flares, it looks like a Hurricane.

G-Pete · #3 (**permalink**) 08-08-2014, 10:18 AM

This is actually one of the first Hurricanes - you nailed it ->

Kobura · #4 (**permalink**) 08-08-2014, 01:46 PM

I take this as a warning to make sure that my spinners are still tight. But, I wonder if anyone who uses wire on their spinners has gotten an indication of loosening thanks to their being wired up.

Snake2998 · #5 (**permalink**) 08-09-2014, 02:43 AM

He is lucky another way - that his safety belt didn't melt onto his pipes.

NOS-EDDIE · #6 (**permalink**) 08-09-2014, 08:18 AM

These things happen...!! I go by the house several times a week where my friends 427 lost it's wheel and broke the picture window. This was late sixties. Lockwire is essential,but will break if over tight.

ImageSurferPro · #7 (**permalink**) 08-12-2014, 04:43 PM

Having had the car for several years I know any time I stop I make new friends but I can't believe how fortunate it was Peter was there and willing to go so far out of his way to Shelby back home and not dragged onto a flatbed!

Also thankful to the guy that chased the wheel past two exits and finally knocked it over with his truck to bring it back!

Snake2998 · #8 (**permalink**) 08-13-2014, 10:56 AM

Just a passing thought - which side was the left hand threaded spindle on as if spindles were on the correct side, in theory, they shouldn't easily unwind even if not wired.

bwcobra15 · #9 (**permalink**) 08-13-2014, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buzz

PS - looks like a pretty nice Cobra - did you ask what brand? Judging by the front wheel flares, it looks like a Hurricane.

Just curious, what is it about the front wheels flares that makes it identifiable as a Hurricane?

G-Pete · #10 (**permalink**) 08-13-2014, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snake2998

Just a passing thought - which side was the left hand threaded spindle on as if spindles were on the correct side, in theory, they shouldn't easily unwind even if not wired.

Left hand thread on the Passenger Side, RH thread on the Driver Side. The spinner were correct. .....and yes they unwind pretty fast ones they loose

Check this out....

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QW0qKmnLJQ"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QW0qKmnLJQ[/ame]

Here is how it's done right....

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8kCWG3d1Cc"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8kCWG3d1Cc[/ame]