In the paint shop

rockman539 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-30-2010, 09:09 AM

Hi, I brought a unfinished CRII last year. Went over all the work that had been completed, and corrected major issue with brakes and suspension. I have 351 in it, .030 over, 10 to 1's, roller cam, edelblock carb. Backed with a T56, and a 9" with 3.73's and a detroit locker. I found that the manual was just a souvenir and of no real use in my build. The wiring was a maze of confusion. I had to scrap most of the wiring and opted to make my own harness with the correct gauge wire and weather pack connections. I really didn't pull out my hair until I started to hang the doors, hood and trunk. It took several tries and some fabrication, but I was pleased with the alignment of the trunk and hood. However the doors were another issue. The driver’s door lined up with no real problems. The passenger door just wouldn't lineup. Rewelded the hinge plate on dash hoop like suggested in threads, a little closer but door still stuck out.
I started getting estimates for paint and bodywork and discovered it would have been cheaper to buy a completed cobra. Most estimates average from 5-8k. One painter gave a 8k maxs from detailed pictures, came to see the car a couple of weeks before going in shop and changed the price to 12k. Had the same problem with upholstery quote. People wanted to charge me more because it was a Cobra and not for the amount of work it would take to complete it. Just another hurdle I had to get over . Don’t be afraid to ask for help and think outside the box.

Went in another direction for the finish, the car is now in the hands of a boat builder, who better to finish a fiberglass car than someone who works with fiberglass for a living. He had no trouble fixing the gaps and alignment, and cockpit combing. The door had to be relief cut because the factory fender and body joint wasn't right. The trunk lid had a low spot in the middle because it was pulled from the mold too soon. Right now everything is looking good and it should hit the paint shop soon. I also found an interior person who is reasonable, she does boat interiors, and cars. Her prices are based on her labor, not on WHAT she is doing. We decided to go with a square weave carpet, and painted dash. The seats and door panels will be leather. The trans tunnel is being boxed for a finished look. Will post pictures as soon as possible.

When everything is done, I will be happy to share the names of those who did the body , paint and interior.

MotorcityCobra · #2 (**permalink**) 10-30-2010, 11:12 AM

Totally agree.

My son is into offshore racing and as such has many friends who do fibreglass work either as a day job or as a hobby. Some of the paint jobs are amazing as well. I'm not as far along on my build as you, but planning on following your lead for sourcing the painting.

Good luck.

onetrackrider · #3 (**permalink**) 11-01-2010, 10:24 AM

I know what you mean about the doors, but my hinges are a little different.
They are a set that Hray made & with a little masaging & modifacitions got them to work good. I'm aslo doing the body work & painting myself, it has
definatly been a learning process..

rockman539 · #4 (**permalink**) 11-02-2010, 07:27 AM

The fractory hinges in the kit had a lot of play in them. I purchased bushings from McMaster Carr and turned them down to fit. This took out all the slop in the hinges. I had to modifiy the hinges before I attempted to align the doors because of the up and down play at the striker. The new bushings took care of this.