427 Cobra Le Mans Scratch Build Project

Biturbo87 · #1 (**permalink**) 11-11-2013, 10:56 AM

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1985 CCX · #2 (**permalink**) 11-11-2013, 11:17 AM

FYI

The original design was not solid axle.

MAStuart · #3 (**permalink**) 11-11-2013, 01:06 PM

Hi Domenic A good start would be . Do some snooping around on MetalMeet - for Metalshaping Enthusiasts & Professional Metalshapers there is a lot of info on body buck building also info of different ways to shape metal. Frank and his son are building a 427 body Cobra Replica - Metal Meet Forums

They are building using a fiberglass body for a buck to build an aluminum one.
I am also scratch building Daytona coupe . I have a build thread here on club cobra and also on metal meet. My thread on metal meet has more of my build than is posted here. We also used my buck for the group build at the annual meet. This was a hands on project where even if you were a complete beginner you could learn to shape metal.

Mark

Biturbo87 · #4 (**permalink**) 11-11-2013, 02:36 PM

1985 CCX - I think I was misinterpreting some info based on your comment. Thanks for the correction.

MAStuart- I am also a lurker at the metalmeet site. There is fantastic info over there too. I prefer to read the cobra site so I can increase my knowledge. I also have already connected with a site member named Osgur. He is a pretty awesome guy.

mickmate · #5 (**permalink**) 11-11-2013, 06:00 PM

Wow you've gone from lurker to scratch building an ally bodied car. Welcome aboard and I'm sure we'll be talking about your project soon.

Biturbo87 · #6 (**permalink**) 11-11-2013, 06:41 PM

I realize the jump from lurker to scratchbuilder is huge. My previous experience was with some machining on a manual lathe and mill, and I once shaped a motorcycle fairing out of some aluminum using a hammer and anvil. So I do understand how tricky it is to work with metal.

I guess my first question is a chicken/egg question. Should I build the body first or do I build the chassis? Without knowing the answer my intuition tells me to build the body and then build the chassis to fit it.

mickmate · #7 (**permalink**) 11-11-2013, 07:31 PM

You'll need a buck to build the body over and I think that building the body will take more time. The chassis is a lot of small parts that won't take up your whole garage until you put them together and that goes fairly quickly. A ladder frame can be hung from a ceiling, leaned against a wall, slid under a car or bed, you get the idea.

Three Peaks · #8 (**permalink**) 11-11-2013, 09:32 PM

If you have a chance to see some of the Kirkham's videos regarding building the body in their factory in Poland, it may help to form some ideas on how to get started on this project. A body buck will be a good start, but will take some time to get it right unless you can find someone who has plans for one you can copy.

Good luck with your project, hope to see pics and follow along as you go.

Bob

Ozgur_Tan · #9 (**permalink**) 11-12-2013, 12:26 AM

g'day dom,

enjoy the ride. looking forward for your updates.

peace,
ozgur
ozgurtan.com

daltmcintyre · #10 (**permalink**) 11-13-2013, 06:08 PM

Good luck Domenic. I'll be watching your build closely. After I finish my Factory Five build I want to do a scratch build. I really want to do an accurate 289 FIA! Let us know of any plans/patterns that you come across for the frame or body buck.

Joey

strictlypersonl · #11 (**permalink**) 11-14-2013, 05:52 AM

Dom,

Check out this very similar project:
ChuckCobra's Project

daltmcintyre · #12 (**permalink**) 11-14-2013, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strictlypersonl

Dom,

Check out this very similar project:
ChuckCobra's Project

I have a set of Chuck’s Daytona Coupe chassis drawings. They are high quality and very detailed. If I’m unable to find plans for a 289 chassis and body before I start I will definitely buy a set from Chuck.

Biturbo87 · #13 (**permalink**) 11-14-2013, 08:04 PM

Hi Strictly, I did read cobra chuck's web site and have communicated with him about his plans. They do sound interesting. I think the leaf spring chassis is kind of cool which I believe his plans detail. I was a bit disappointed to find out the plans for the chassis are separate from the control arms and other accessories. Does anyone have experience with buying both packages?

I was also researching the cobra restorers site to see about their plans. Anyone have experience with these as well?

I spent a lot of time over that past week looking at images of various frames that are either commercially available or scratch built to try to figure out which direction I want to go. I even found this interesting file drawn in google sketchup. Here is the link to the site. Classic Revival Cobra AC427 CR3514

Biturbo87 · #14 (**permalink**) 11-15-2013, 04:21 PM

Hi daltmcintyre...tell me more about the chuck cobra plans. I understand that they include drawings of all chassis tubes but do not have drawings of control arms for the suspension. Can you confirm. If so what is your plan?

Quote:

Originally Posted by daltmcintyre

I have a set of Chuck’s Daytona Coupe chassis drawings. They are high quality and very detailed. If I’m unable to find plans for a 289 chassis and body before I start I will definitely buy a set from Chuck.

mickmate · #15 (**permalink**) 11-15-2013, 05:10 PM

Quote:

they include drawings of all chassis tubes but do not have drawings of control arms for the suspension

Your talking about the Cobra Restorers blueprints.
Cobra Chucks do have drawings of the suspension but it is the 3" tube frame with leaf spring suspension. You need to start with a clear idea of what direction your heading in unless you want to do your own thing.

MAStuart · #16 (**permalink**) 11-15-2013, 08:37 PM

Chucks plans do not include suspension. They are in another package he sells. I am building the coupe.

Mark

G-Pete · #17 (**permalink**) 11-16-2013, 08:38 AM

Very ambitious project, to say at least, you picked. 2,3 rule in scratch building twice the budget triple the time.
Good luck to you and post pictures of your progress...

Biturbo87 · #18 (**permalink**) 11-16-2013, 10:13 AM

G-Pete. I know what you are saying and I am sure the more experience have had to roll your eyes at overly ambitious amateurs before. But I have a plan, the money and the will to complete this. Time is the resource I can't buy more of for health reasons.

Thus I need to develop an intelligent project plan. I am trying to do this by reading the various build logs all over the net and trying to create my own. I wish there was a checklist of activities in order that one could buy just like you can get chassis plans. The activity of welding and metal forming is not foreign to me. Neither is the mechanical aspect. What I am unsure of is where to start. My fist step was to decide which plan I was going to follow. I believe I will purchase the chuck cobra plans for the 289 leaf spring chassis. The body buck will be developed from data I received from one of the generous members of this forum. I have a heated garage with a welder, cutting equipment, an anvil and a full set of automotive tools. I plan on building an english wheel. I know where I will source my materials locally. Now I am at the stage where I am wondering if I should build the body first and then build the frame to fit it. In my mind the other option is to build the frame, then build a body to match the scale of the frame. This is the type of expertise I am looking to tap in this forum. What is everyone's experience?

cobrakiwi · #19 (**permalink**) 11-16-2013, 11:40 AM

Hi
Good on you for building your own project, this is my opinion for what it is worth.
Start by building the frame, get all the suspension finished so the wheels are installed and the project is a roller. Then TACK weld all the small frame work that holds the body on this way if you need to move things, no big deal. With the frame finished this way you can move things around to get the wheel openings looking center etc. You will need to have most of the body frame work done this gives you an idea of body dimensions.
Check out my scratch build in the scratch build forum (cobrakiwi) I built the 427 car and am about to mount the body.
Cheers and good luck.

daltmcintyre · #20 (**permalink**) 11-16-2013, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biturbo87

Hi daltmcintyre...tell me more about the chuck cobra plans. I understand that they include drawings of all chassis tubes but do not have drawings of control arms for the suspension. Can you confirm. If so what is your plan?

Dom,

The plans from Chuck do not include plans for any of the bolt on suspension parts. My plan as of now is to build the frame and purchase most of the suspension components from Nick at Acton Customs. Check out his website, all of products are top notch. In my personal opinion (keep in mind I've never scrath built a car) it would be much easier to buy the suspension components than trying to build them yourself.

I also think you should follow cobrakiwi's plan by building the car to the roller phase then constructing the body. If you read through Chuck's website this is how he built the coupe. The body buck sat directly on the rolling chassis. This is exactly how the original coupe CSX 2287 was built.

In your original post you stated that you wanted to build a 427 w/ a Le Mans top. Keep in mind that the plans offered by Chuck for the Cobra chassis is for a 289 car not a 427. The 289 cars had 3" diameter chassis tubes with transverse leaf spring suspension while the big blocks had 4" tubes and independent suspension. If your goal is an accurate build, then you want to keep this in mind.

Joey