A miracle....Slowy's cobra update

[Aussie Mike]

Nice work Slowy,

I did something similar with mine but used the FFR adjustable arms. Also had to make adapters for the Mustang ball joints into the Jaguar uprights.



Cheers

[stephen low]

Yes without your skills and equipment, I've had Marty on the case. He has previously done the same work for the FFR kits, very similar mods I believe.

Interestingly once I stood the car back on its boots I found I needed to wind the driver's side out 15mm to get a similar slight negative camber angle to the driver's side.

This was with the driver's side gear fully screwed in.

So am going to get Marty to shave off another 4 - 6 mm total off the driver side parts to give it a tad move adjustability inwards if ever needed.

Clearly the frame has some variance in it, the same as I found between sides with the bodywork and what I needed to open up to fit this gear.

By Friday I'd like to think the whole issue is sorted and that I'll have a car that tracks well for the moment.

[dave295]

That setup looks heaps better, stronger and less likely to break than other designs I've seen on this site.
Not a single HEIM JOINT in sight.

Good work

Dave

[Aussie Mike]

Marty does really good work.

I'm often hearng how Cobra chassis are not the same left to right. Surprising when they are usually built on a jig. I wonder if there are some errors in the jig. Could it have been a result of the front end hit?

Cheers

[stephen low]

Mike

Mike

I actually had that discussion with Marty this morning.

I dropped off the drivers side arms to shorten then a fraction more for better adjustment.

Marty said he and Greg straightened the chassis pretty spot on, so whether this is another one of those manufacturer's foibles, might not be too far from the truth.

This is certainly true of the diff mounting location in RMC and G-Force I believe, that then sets the whole alignment just slightly off.

Will be interested to see what Rob says after my visit to him next Friday.

[deano59]

Originally Posted by Aussie Mike

Marty does really good work.

I'm often hearng how Cobra chassis are not the same left to right. Surprising when they are usually built on a jig. I wonder if there are some errors in the jig. Could it have been a result of the front end hit?

Cheers

my paul woolley chassis was different left to right suspension was true but trying to get the body to line up and sit at the same hieght each side took some playing around with to get right .

as for the heim joint comment ive used hundreds of them in over 30 yrs of speedway racing and never had one fail on it's own ive broken some in crashes where a wheel as taken a direct hit or in a roll over but never had one fail during the course of racing . i have full confidence using them as supplied in the pace kit . i prefer them to nolathane bushes my self.

cheers deano

[stephen low]

Bringing this thread back from the dead as Blackmans have finally kicked off on the soft top build.

They only started this week but have set up the side window frames and stud locations to be able to build the rear window section for now.

So the rear window panel set up and now awaiting the roof section.

We chose the dark blue Mercedes cloth and the colouring has done justice matching the interior and stripe colours.



The covered drivers side window frame insitu



And looking back on the assembly so far.



We ended up choosing the beige / tan interior colour over the black on the Mercedes cloth. This was advice originally from Duncan as a way of helping to lighten up the interior with the top on. Seems to be spot on even now as can be seen.

Peter Blackman has indicated the top and tonneau should all be completed by the end of next week.

We will see, as the tonneau has yet to be started, but it will be an easier component to build.

Anyway am just thankful for this progress.

Cheers

[stephen low]

Well it seems going is slower than expected at Blackmans but there is progress.

Rang Peter as I was going to drop in and snap what had been done to-date but this fell through due to lack of time.

However Peter sent me the photo below which was a nice surprise.



I always wanted good rear view vision and in trying to maintain visibility for the third brake light, the result is thus.

Hoping I can drop in tomorrow and have a closer look.

Tonneau next!

Enjoy

[stiffy]

Slowly,

Looks great. Fantastic rear view which is a must.

Stiffy

[stephen low]

Thanks Rohan

Yes that was an outcome I was very much wanting to achieve.

How are your sparks and arcs mate??

I couldn't offer help as that is the area I really know bugga all about.

Perhaps soon to be corrected as my youngest bloke has just taken on a sparky apprenticeship.

He'll steer me straighter on dealing with smoke laden wires!! lol

Anyway I also notice you've regressed.

Cheers

Fasty!!

[stiffy]

Flash,


So I have,


Stiffy

[Jaydee]

Are there any tops that would keep the inside of the car perfectly dry in the rain?
JD

[kyleb]

Originally Posted by Jaydee

Are there any tops that would keep the inside of the car perfectly dry in the rain?
JD

Garage !!
Sorry Jaydee..Couldn't help myself !!

[Jaydee]

So what is the main purpose for a top? To keep the sun of your head, keeping warm in the winter, light showers? I guess as long as the rain stays away from the gauges, then no harm should come to the car. Is it possible to make like a raincoat that fits loosely over the cabin and clips to the top of the windscreen and rests on your hat as an emergency type roof?
JD

[stephen low]

JD

A well made top should do a pretty fair job keeping rain out but I'm guessing it will not be fully impervious to residual seepage over time on a long drive.

Similarly it is important to work on all the usual known leakage points on these cars. Water running in through the windscreen post body openings, drainage through the door gaps and so forth.

Then there is the cabin humidity and misting effect on the windscreen so they are a bit of work in the wetter months.

However the hood will improve heating, can offer shade and for me is that emergency cover if caught out in inclement weather.

Getting a hood really depends on when you want to drive the car and whether you can put up with a bit of misting if wet weather driving without a hood up.

[stephen low]

So I appear at Blackmans to get some more progress photos but.......

I discover they have finished the top and tonneau instead - woo hoo

So a few pics once I got her home.

Interesting how the late sun and angle was giving me that Guy Cadbury colour look off the stripe.



The full width rear window.



Sliding windows





With neat sealing and finish



But looking through this last pic to the right of the windscreen you can see that the windscreen has suffered the quirk these cars have and has cracked over-night in the workshop.

Will need to get a Shannon's replacement fix it seems.

I'll post some photos tomorrow when I get a chance to test fit up the tonneau, to see how it has come out.

Enjoy

[jcraigau]

Looks like a top notch job! Well done.

[schipps]

Hey Slowy,

can you give us some details on the window frames?(Because I am after something similar)
Materials? Who makes them?
How stable is it when you open the door?

regards

Mick

[gjkrv8]

Very nice Slowy. The door frames look particularly top notch - are they covered in fabric too? Nice touch.

I have "top cover" envy - but then being bald that happens a lot to me :-)


cheers Gregg

[boxhead]

Looks good,
When the screen is replaced, make sure they assemble the frame without glass first, you may find the new bolts that secure the over centre latch for roof may be too long, and contacting the glass.