Phoenix from the Ashes

[JEwalt]

Kit purchased 1996; completed 2000;

, '

Damaged 2003; stolen July 2009; recovered 1 week later totalled.

On May 27, 2010, I saw a March 3, 2010, post by Ed "DV" Combs about a Classic Cobra kit being available; I call to inquire about availability, and on May 31, 2010, I'LL TAKE IT !!

June 11, 2010, fly/drive to Pentwater, MI. to take possession of body/kit; June 17, 2010, drive/arrive in Houston, TX. to start the ressurrection.

More on the rebuild and photos to come (if I learn how to navigate this site).

In the meantime, my thanks and kindest regards to a kindred spirit Ed Combs and his lovely wife, Diane, for making this possible.

[Double Venom]

My gosh Jeff,
It is a duplicate of the one in the shop. It will be exciting to watch the Resurrection! Good Luck..... and don't forget to call if you need anything at all!
DV

[JEwalt]

Two weekends and I finally got the body off, and the front and rear suspension disassembled.

I forgot how much I missed the feel of fiberglass-itch; or how good the feel of cold steel is against your knuckles when that bolt breaks free / wrench slips.
I would post pictures, but for some reason the site has quit accepting uploads to my photo gallery - HELP! Verbals will have to do until I figure out the picture thing.
The body was actually cut off in three sections as help was a bit limited to remove it in one piece. The frame was more distorted than I thought. The left front end was pushed horizontally 3/8" into the shock tower and up vertically 1/2". The left rear was pushed horizontally toward the passenger compartment 1 1/2" and up vertically 1/2". Closer inspection revealed the left side motor mount was distorted (bent toward the rear of the car) 3/8".

New Griffin radiator has been delivered (old stock radiator never quite cooled very well in Houston heat); looking for new 8.8 axle housing with 3.55 gears (up from the 3.27 I had previously); good time to re-condition the calipers and turn the rotors; chrome/re-chrome hinges and miscellaneous parts; and just ordered/commited to Left and Right 3-point roll bars from Ed "DV" Combs.

By the way, the new frame was modified by previous owner - front strut mounts removed and mounting tubes inserted into lower control arm (front) positions - DV advised this is an upgrade to the Heidt's tubular control arms. No problem, parts ordered.

However, the upper control arm mounting points have also been modified:

1. The upper shock mounts(approximately 2"-3" above the top of the tower) have been removed completely;

2. The holes through which the upper shock stems pass through have been expanded from 2 1/4" to 4 1/2" in diameter. Also the circular mount for the top of the spring has been removed.

Sorry - not very savvy about this setup and would appreciate thoughts.

By the way, in addition to the above forgottens, I also forgot about how much I loved working on this car the first time with my son - and the frequent visitors "just passing by and had to stop."

Jeff

[JEwalt]

Fast forward three years: The Resurrection.

DV- Its not Opal yellow, but it is YELLOW (Honda yellow pearl).

BTW - The guy in the green shirt is the owner of the Classic Roadster Cobra given the Penthouse Pet of the Year in 1992.

[JEwalt]

[JEwalt]

[OnyxRider]

Guys you are killing me with the resurrection cobra name, please use Phoenix Cobra. You know someone did a resurrection cobra but it was a Cobra helicopter. Won't get into any details but it's a concept that may not happen and pulling at my heart too much. If you want to read about it just scroll down where it talks about Cobras. The beginning is about my family and US Steel and collecting. This was a post for a private club of owners that's called 100+ In fact I mentioned Resurrection Cobra the other week on a Monster Cobra Thread.


Resurrection Cobra: Resurrection Cobra....a Long Forgotten Cobra by most.

[Double Venom]

Jeff,
A hand shake from me and Diane is allowed to give your cheek a peck
Absolutely a long, long journey but it is beautiful.
So far as what it is described by either, the by line absolutely works.

Beautiful story by OnxyRider.

Not my decision to make.

DV