Newbie with New Question

Dimis · #1 (**permalink**) 11-23-2009, 05:55 PM

Long time user, first time poster...

Done some research, including on this site, and have investigated various kits, and am still in the process of narrowing my options.

I can't find much info in regard to "by design motorsports"
I was wondering if any of you knowledgeable gents would be kind enough to volunteer any information beyond what's listed on the website.

website - http://bydesignmotorsports.com/

I believe the operator or possibly the designer is Dennis Bedford?

Frame is Aluminum Monocoque - which I believe is different and has caught my attention.

Many thanks in advance,
Anth

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Insight + Hindsight = Foresight

boxhead · #2 (**permalink**) 11-23-2009, 09:49 PM

I think there have been a couple of threads pop up in here regarding this kit.
Can not remember what they where about and if anyone had any actual first hand knowledge.

But good luck in your search.

Zedn · #3 (**permalink**) 11-24-2009, 12:59 AM

try digging back through treads around May/june. I think someone posted back then that they had ordered a kit.

Dimi · #4 (**permalink**) 11-24-2009, 01:12 AM

Hi Dimis

The kit you could be referring to could be the DRB 540 Cobra.

It has an aluminium monocoque chassis and uses a late model Falcon as the donor for all parts.

Dimi

Zedn · #5 (**permalink**) 11-24-2009, 02:04 AM

BYDESIGN Motorsports Cobra
Aluminium AC Cobra Chassis
hello everyone im new to the cobra forum

Mando · #6 (**permalink**) 11-24-2009, 02:50 AM

Cant wait to see how this new Cobra goes together and which shape Dennis has adopted.

Regards.

Dimis · #7 (**permalink**) 11-24-2009, 03:27 PM

Boxhead - Thanks for the heads up.

Zedn - Thanks following up with links, very helpful - On a side note: Wow! Your memory must be like a vise May/June - spot on!

Dimi - Thanks, am aware of the DRB 540, but i believe this is a '65 shape Cobra.

Mando - that's where I'm at... Love to know how she'd handle and what shape kit it looks most similar to: DRB, Harrison, Robnell, G-Force, CR, RCM. RMC etc...?

I might try posting to "Malcom" (from one of Zedn's recommended threads) hopefully he has pics by now.
Anyone know how I could nudge him to get his attention via this site?

Many Thx again,
Anth

-----------------------------
Insight + Hindsight = Foresight

Wazza · #8 (**permalink**) 11-24-2009, 05:25 PM

Hey Anth...

The guy that you should be talking to is Garry Hall of By Design Homes, and By Design Motorsports.

His e-mail contact is ...

garry@bydesignhomes.com.au

His Mobile is :0437 544 600

He currently owns a very nice DRB SC540

( It's the black/dark grey one that you always see on the DRB adverts in Unique Cars etc.),

and also a new DRB Cobra.

He told me at our track day last Sunday, that they're very close to having one of the "New" Cobras on the road.

The shape of the "New" Cobras will be closest to a DRB with some extra flares etc.

Hope that helps,

Cheers,

Warren Boylan,
Club Pres,
Cobra Car Club Qld.

BMK · #9 (**permalink**) 11-24-2009, 11:14 PM

Photos of the new Cobra with extra flares....

Dimis · #10 (**permalink**) 11-25-2009, 09:38 PM

Genius Warren!

Your lead has paid off...

Gary was forth coming with the following photos.

I thought I'd post for others who may be interested.

Hard to compare shape while incomplete and standing alone.

Next step I guess is to try to see one up close. Better still love to see a completed car next to another kit marque to highlight shape and flare differences etc...

Hopefully its not too similar to the DRB in shape, while a nice car is possibly my least favorite shape.

Interested also to know what you gents think regarding the chassis.
Anyone willing to share their thoughts?

Thanks again,
Anth

-----------------------------
Insight + Hindsight = Foresight

sambo · #11 (**permalink**) 11-25-2009, 10:11 PM

It looks like the front guards are flared a bit, perhaps to accomodate a wider track? I know with the Harrisons the front wheel offsets are very restrictive in this respect. Eg, not much front space to play with.

I notice the trans tunnel steps out near the floor... is that a box section for strength or a channel for underbody exhaust/cats? Any photos of the rear end?

hogster · #12 (**permalink**) 11-25-2009, 10:41 PM

Out of interest,

there is one on e-bay at the moment

http://shop.ebay.com.au/?_from=R40&_...All-Categories

boxhead · #13 (**permalink**) 11-25-2009, 11:56 PM

Different car Hogster.

The one on ebay is the new 540 shape (same as Ford/Shelby concept car called Daisy)

The one that Dimis is looking at is the same body shape as yours and mine but with new aluminium chassis.

LoBelly · #14 (**permalink**) 11-26-2009, 04:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dimis

....Interested also to know what you gents think regarding the chassis.
Anyone willing to share their thoughts?

A while back I helped my brother put together a plate alloy boat.

it is a very rigid item.

the boat is over 7m long and about 2.5m high & wide - during construction he would often just have a couple (2) of tabs welded to the side with D bolts through, or a single chain under the hull, and hoist the whole thing from those points to move it around

after witnessing this i formed the view that a plate alloy cobra chassis would be a great idea

LB

Dimis · #15 (**permalink**) 11-26-2009, 09:30 PM

Sambo - see attached for rear end as sent to me by Warren's mate Garry of BDM (the best I have). Not sure about the box section next to the tunnel, I'm curious also.

LoBelly - Thanks for the thought - Nice toy by the way.

Anyone else willing to share a thought?

Thanks,
Anth

sambo · #16 (**permalink**) 11-26-2009, 10:51 PM

I haven't seen a rear axle like that before. It looks live but with some kind of panhard rod but no springs/shocks. It's probably not complete though.

T.L. · #17 (**permalink**) 12-02-2009, 03:20 AM

It looks like a Ford 8.8 live axle diff from that one photo. There's a lot of info about them at places like Fortes and others. Used quite a bit in the US.

http://www.fortesparts.com/Modules.cfm

1/2 way down the page looks similar.

Aussie Mike · #18 (**permalink**) 12-02-2009, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T.L.

It looks like a Ford 8.8 live axle diff from that one photo. There's a lot of info about them at places like Fortes and others. Used quite a bit in the US.

http://www.fortesparts.com/Modules.cfm

1/2 way down the page looks similar.

Nothing that exotic I'm afraid. That's a Holden Commodore live axle mad. Installed in thousands of Commodores till about the VT model when they all went IRS.

Looks like steel sub-frames bolt into the front and rear end for your suspension mounts and engine mounts etc. Gives a little flexibility for changing suspension designs without having to re engineer the whole chassis.

The rear looks to be set up with either a 3 link or 4 link with a panhard rod. Simple but can be made to work well with the right settings.

Cheers