A few pics after painting

[Merv and Sharon]

Thanks Les. What is RMC? "Root Mean Squared" = ?

And your help was invaluable too! As was Geof's and of course, Warwick's. It may even start when I fit the exhaust and driveshaft! It has had several visitors as well today from the area north of Brisbane.

Best bits: fitting the seats and being able to finally sit in the thing and fitting the clutch cable finally;

Worst bits: working out the damned (unknown brand) wiper wiring and integrating the Painless wiring, the Ford wiring and my wiring (still some surprises here I suspect)!

Merv

[Rebel1]

RMC = Replica Motor Company ..... Arguably the best cobra shape.

Shhhhh, don't tell anyone but was what the Harrison was copied from.

[07cob]

Merv

So, looks like you will be driving to the next club breakfast then!!??

Isn't it amazing how quickly it all comes together in the end? Your whole package looks fantastic and is a credit to you. Well done. I look forward to seeing (and hearing) it in the flesh.

Geof

[Merv and Sharon]

Not that quick Geof. There is still the exhaust to fit and the sensors for O2 and the immobilizer and the wiring for the alternator and the starter motor. Also there may be a slight leak in the gearbox (??!!) but perhaps just some spillage after filling hopefully.

Merv

[gjkrv8]

H Merv,

I am looking to do my interior soon.

You've done a great job.

Did you do your own carpets? It looks like you got a great result. How did you go about moulding and attaching etc, any tips for a first-timer.

Also for the Dash did you put any padding behind the leather (for look I mean).

Rgds

Gregg

[Merv and Sharon]

Thanks Gregg. The seat frames are the ones from Warwick Harrison. They are tested to meet all registration requirements. I liked them because they were thin backed and strong and had a relatively (without the headrests!) original look about them. They also gave more legroom. I had them trimmed in good quality dark green leather.

Carpets: Well I made a big fibreglass panel to fit behind the seats to cover the messy rear area. I covered it with auto carpet, as with the side panels and in the upper parts of the footwells. I wanted the transmission tunnel covered in that "over the tunnel style" rather than having flat strips along the tunnel (see an earlier post) and used a more flexible unbacked carpet with a thin water tolerant underlay. No moulding needed. It is just sprayed and glued on. The floor carpets are in backed auto carpet and edged in black vinyl (had to pay for that!). On the side panels I also used fibreglass panels (got heaps of great stuff from a factory that makes the council busses!) cut to the shapes I wanted and drilled and tapped holes to the frame so I could remove them later to get at wires and fuses easily. You really can't see the edges.

Cutting carpets is not hard if you start with some large sheets of paper or cardboard and buy some white chalk (the kind that tailors use if possible) and mark out the carpet after testing with the cardboard. The cut over size and spray the middle areas and work outwards, then trim off the excess. Buy the best trimming knife and straight edge that you can get and have a large sheet of old plywood on the garage floor for cutting. Adhesives also vary but avoid the cheapies as they don't like getting wet.

I could have used a much more expensive route with vinyl sides and tricky mouldings, but I wanted the "less is more" approach to most of the Cobra build anyway to get a more subdued appearance. The boot is also fully trimmed over marine ply removable panels.

The dash is made in thick aluminium and has no padding at all. I wanted to use black leather but found a great and very tough leather-look vinyl that the seat trimmer suggested. It was easy to fit. The Cobra magazine - the UK one that is now defunct I think - had a great issue on trimming that I read about 6 times! Could send it to you if that helps. I think I have the full set.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Merv

[gjkrv8]

Thanks Merv for the tips.

I think I have most of it covered now (no pun intended).

Quick question - Where did you get your Auto carpet?
i.e. would they have a distr / outlet in Melb?

Thanks

Rgds

Gregg

[Merv and Sharon]

Local carpet places usually have it. Also there are places that are 'auto warehouses' that have all sorts of stuff - carpets, retainers and so on. There are motor trimmers who will come to ur house as well. I did that with the carpet edging and asked him to get the un backed flexible stuff for me - for the tunnel. Was very cheap.

Merv

[sambo]

This has been a great thread Merv, thanks for sharing all the pics and info.

Have you had any clearance issues with those Vintage Wheel Works wheels and the Skyline diff? I've still got the measurements somewhere and may be looking to buy if/when the dollar goes back up over 70c (wishful thinking perhaps).

[gjkrv8]

Originally Posted by Merv and Sharon

Local carpet places usually have it. Also there are places that are 'auto warehouses' that have all sorts of stuff - carpets, retainers and so on. There are motor trimmers who will come to ur house as well. I did that with the carpet edging and asked him to get the un backed flexible stuff for me - for the tunnel. Was very cheap.

Merv

Thanks Merv

Rgds

Gregg

[Merv and Sharon]

Sambo,

I was concerned but Warwick and others were not and another car was registered in 2008 with the same set up. Now that the motor is in and the suspension setup and wheels aligned it looks about right! Hopefully.

Good luck with that dollar!

merv

[strida]

Beautiful car Merv, colour is excellent, and so is the interior, they're right when they say "sometimes less IS more" and I mean that in the most complimentary way.
I like the reversing lights is that Harrison standard or a Merv innovation?
I've just recieved my Classic Revival kit Chassis #3508, so for me the hard work is just beginning.

Dennis

[Merv and Sharon]

Yes Dennis and thank you. I am pleased with the outcome. The reversing lights are a copy of the ones that Geof used - from early Falcon lenses (EF?). U can buy them at wreckers and use the overlay that they had as a cutout template for the fibreglass. I have than still but u wold need the lenses still. I got them at a garage sale for $2!

Merv

[07cob]

Welcome Dennis

Here are my lights ... from the XF Falcon rear tail light assembly



... but I can't take credit. A number of similar examples around before I did mine.

Geof

[strida]

Merv and Geof,

Thanks for the info on the reversing lights.

Geof, just had a browse thru your gallery, great pics, that Skyline rear end looks a solid unit.

Dennis