Polished alloy bodied Cobras...hmmmm

[AC Ventura]

Here in the UK we don't see many polished alloy bodied Cobras. Naturally that's because most are glass fibre replicas. But I saw a Kirkham at a speed festival the other day and wondered what message the car was sending out....
I mean most of us would probably prefer an original 1960s Cobra if we had the choice, but I bet we wouldn't strip the paint and polish that. Despite that, a good alloy bodied Cobra is by concensus more desirable/authentic than composite, but as for telling the world that yours is a few degrees closer to the real thing, but obviously not the real thing, what exactly is all that about?

[RodKnock]

Some people see the beauty of a polished aluminum Cobra and others do not. It's a matter of personal preference.

[AC Ventura]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Some people see the beauty of a polished aluminum Cobra and others do not. It's a matter of personal preference.

Hey, Rod I appreciate the beauty of exquisite panel craft as much as the next guy. I can see how owners might be offended, but I wasn't being judgmental, just wondering about the thinking behind the choice.

[E5USMC]

Not my cup of tea.... but no one can doubt they are beautiful machines!!!!

[DanEC]

Originally Posted by AC Ventura

Despite that, a good alloy bodied Cobra is by concensus more desirable/authentic than composite, but as for telling the world that yours is a few degrees closer to the real thing, but obviously not the real thing, what exactly is all that about?

I think this thought is your answer for the most part - to show that the car is akin to the real thing. There are others who just appreciate the raw appearance of fine metal work so much they want to accentuate it for personal satisfaction or to show off.

From what I've read over the years I think it would be difficult to achieve the same thing with an original Cobra body. My impression is they were not finessed to anywhere near the quality level of Kirkham and some of the independent builders. The aluminum is thinner and not up to current materials. Some were pretty much slathered with a skim coat of filler over most of the body before priming.

[Russ Dickey]

Raw or polished aluminum is not my thing. I would absolutely love to have a Kirkham, but I would absolutely paint it.

[Phx Mike]

For me it was something of a path of least resistance to get the car polished. Getting the car painted would have been much more cumbersome - would have required me to take the filed finish body to a painter (Kirkham does not do painting) then get it back to David for completion. David could have handled this to but it's not part of their normal process. Painting the car after completion would have been more difficult than painting the body, hood and trunk before installation. So in the end I decided against painting for now. The other consideration is repairs - fixing dents in the unfinished aluminum is very easy compared to fixing a painted body (remember that there are no break lines in the body - it is one contiguous piece of aluminum).

I would also say that people really do seem to be amazed by the polished aluminum body. Not something they see very often.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by Phx Mike

Not something they see very often.

Exactly. It's unique. A piece of artwork. That's why. It's a beautiful alloy body, why not show off the craftsmanship?

The other reason, for me, is that I wouldn't have been able to decide on a color. The only color I could easily rule out would have been beige. Beige on a Cobra?

[Snake2998]

Maybe people also do it just because they can, or because they like the look, to my mind its no different from colour choice, or even wrapping it in polished aluminium or any other colour wrap. They are all legitimate choices that might not meet the viewers approval but should be respected.

[patrickt]

Fully polished cars just look funny. You know, like they're an advertisement for a mirror company or somethin'....

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Fully polished cars just look funny. You know, like they're an advertisement for a mirror company or somethin'....

I forgot about that reason. Yes, I do enjoy the reflection.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

I forgot about that reason. Yes, I do enjoy the reflection.

Ahhhh, but do you know why your aluminum car reflects some photons, but not all, and why it does not reflect some frequencies of light? Now, if Chas was still around, this post would have been 100% guaranteed to bring him out swinging.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Ahhhh, but do you know why your aluminum car reflects some photons, but not all, and why it does not reflect some frequencies of light? Now, if Chas was still around, this post would have been 100% guaranteed to bring him out swinging.

Photons? Aren't those fired from The Enterprise at Klingons?

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Photons? Aren't those fired from The Enterprise at Klingons?

Well, kind of... but what would catch your fancy even more than your polished aluminum car is a coating that would make it a blackbody. You'll have to Google that, 'cause i ain't gonna tell you what it means.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Well, kind of... but what would catch your fancy even more than your polished aluminum car is a coating that would make it a blackbody. You'll have to Google that, 'cause i ain't gonna tell you what it means.

I think you're mistaking me for another Kirkham with a "black body," owner named rodneym. Geez, you're senile.

[rodneym]

Now THAT'S purdy.

[rodneym]

And DEM are photons.

[xb-60]

Yes....but her car is painted

Cheers!

[Jaydee]

Would the sun reflecting of it, ever blind other drivers, or yourself?
JD

[Dimis]

Originally Posted by Jaydee

Would the sun reflecting of it, ever blind other drivers, or yourself?
JD

Funny story.... after about 400hrs of polishing, and me stubbornly insisting On it being polished, it took only one drive before I figured brushed was a really good idea if I wanted to see past the windscreen.