FIA "Suitcase" Panel

[FatBoy]

I've just fitted the "suitcase" panel into the rear bulkhead on my Kirkham and covered it in black leather grain vinyl.
I know the river heads would have originally been covered by the vinyl, but it was a whole lot easier to put the rivets in afterwards and I'm pleased with the end result.



The next job is to install the Lift the Dot posts so that I can fit a tonneau cover. I've been putting it off for fear of drilling holes in the bodywork, but I need to bite the bullet and get stuck in. As long as I measure at least 6 times before I start drilling, I should be OK.

Paul

[*13*]

Nice looking interior! Is it just a hole in the bulkhead for access? Or is there more work in there?

[FatBoy]

Thank you.
It is a rectangular hole in the bulkhead panel with a new panel riveted into the hole. The new panel is to allow the FIA regulation sized suitcase to be fitted into the trunk. The 289 race cars had protrusions in the trunk lid for the same reason. This was part of the FIA GT homologation requirements in force at the time.
The new panel protrudes into the cockpit by about 1½" at the top edge, but tapers down to nothing at the lower edge.
It doesn't provide an benefit or functionality, but I just liked the extra originality feature of it.

Paul

[LMH]

Looks really good! I like the looks of the exposed rivets.
Larry

[RodKnock]

Hey Paul,

Here's the dumb question of the day. If it's an originality feature of the 289 FIA, then why did you decide to add it to your 427?

[FatBoy]

Yeah, you're right, that's a dumb question.

If you read my earlier post again, you'll notice that I said the 289 race cars had protrusions in the trunk lid to accommodate the suitcase. This is a Hi-Tech replica of a 289 FIA and you can see the protrusions in the trunk lid.



The 427 race and S/C Cobras had the additional panel in the rear bulkhead.

Paul

[ItBites]

In your pursuit of originality, which original paint scheme did you take after?

[RodKnock]

My apologies, but I still don't understand it all, but no matter, I'll move along elsewhere.

[FatBoy]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

My apologies, but I still don't understand it all, but no matter, I'll move along elsewhere.

On the 289 FIA, the "suitcase" was accommodated in the trunk by making small outward dents on the trunk lid where the corners of the case would stick out.



On the 427 race and S/C Cobras, the suitcase was accommodated by moving it forward by installing the extra panel into the bulkhead behind the seats.

This picture shows the panel before being fitted back into the car.



...and this one shows the fitted panel before the seats and other panels were refitted.



Paul

[FatBoy]

Originally Posted by ItBites

In your pursuit of originality, which original paint scheme did you take after?

As supplied by AC Cars to Shelby, i.e. unpainted. .

[rodneym]

Sharp, Fatboy.
Looks great.

[RodKnock]

Thank you. I now understand the difference, but now I need a little history lesson.

Did the 427 race cars in order to meet FIA homologation require the suitcase panel in the bulkhead?

[ItBites]

and as from AC, without engine I assume as well... Just sayin.

FB, you have a really, really nice car. I always like to see what folks hold onto in the interest of originality and then what the same folks may overlook... In your case, the biggest and first thing folks see (paint on the body) does not match any of the original racecars! On the other hand you have the little-known suitcase patch for FIA homologation. Some folks are big-picture and some folks sweat the minute details and gloss over the whole.

I certainly am not one to judge - mine is powered by a 540 BBC.

Again - Very nice car!

[FatBoy]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Did the 427 race cars in order to meet FIA homologation require the suitcase panel in the bulkhead?

The FIA regulations at the time required the cars to be able to carry a specified sized "suitcase" and in order to fit said case into the trunk (boot) of the 427, the rear bulkhead had to be relieved slightly.
Rumour has it that on the 289 FIA Cobras, the trunk lid was simply slammed on down onto the case, causing the outward dents, but I don't know how true that is.

[RodKnock]

So there were 427 FIA race cars? Not being a Shelby historian, I always connected 289 and FIA, but not 427 and FIA.

[FatBoy]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

So there were 427 FIA race cars?

Technically no. As Shelby didn't build the requisite 100 cars for FIA homologation, the 427's were never homologated by the FIA. Consequently, not many people wanted to buy a race car that couldn't be raced in FIA events, so the unsold 427 race cars were converted into "semi (or street)/competiton (S/C)" road cars, which is how the 427 S/C's came about in the first place

[RodKnock]

So at least one of the CSX3000's must have come with the suitcase panel, do you know which one or ones? Did some or all the comp cars come with it?

[FatBoy]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

So at least one of the CSX3000's must have come with the suitcase panel, do you know which one or ones? Did some or all the comp cars come with it?

I believe that all the 427 race and S/C Cobras had the FIA panel as they were initially built to comply with the FIA regulations and it was only because they didn't build enough in time that they weren't homologated.

[1985 CCX]

Paul

Love the look of exposed rivets. Great looking car! I just did the same thing, rivets that is, around the cockpit lip. Looks great to me. All in the details.

[FatBoy]

Thanks Jeff.
How's your car coming along? I couldn't see any pictures in your gallery.