Cobra 427 refurbish

[lovegt40]

Sometime ago a friend made a revell shelby cobra. The kit was abandoned to me, so I asked him if I could refurbish it as a "relax" model.
So this will be an easy build/refurbish. Just have to remake the missing parts (windshield mostly) and repaint in my fav cobra combo colors (classic metallic blue and white stripes).
The box tyres looks way smaller, so I prefer use Fujimi tyres and repaint also the rims.
First of all we have to dismantle the old build...

[lovegt40]

to have the right ispiration on the finishing of the cobra I had a look at cobracountry website, where too many of these beauties are for sale.For me in old Italy is increbible to think these monsters cost as a new 3 serie sedan bmw...



I started to hole the exhaust, even if probbaly forward I will replace theme with bigger ones





then is time to look at engine.Original 427 provided by revell is big one, I was thinking if maybe replace with an unit coming from a Nascar Ford T-bird, even if it looks way smaller than the 427.









also tyres are not as I want. revell used squared tyres, while I prefer the round ones done by fujimi.The rim hole is nearly identical



fujimi wheels..

[MerlinPro]

Paolo,
This is my 1:1. If you'd like photos of details, let me know. Hint; work hard on getting the windshield frame thin enough and shaped right-nobody does.
Cheers:

[lovegt40]

wow..I definitely LOVE your car ! Superformance?

[MerlinPro]

Originally Posted by lovegt40

wow..I definitely LOVE your car ! Superformance?

Self-built ERA. If you need detail shots, tell me.

[lovegt40]

yes yes. Saw an ERA in italy (they sell a 1986 car for 100.000 euro...with Ford mustang fastback 1965 documents).The quality is fantastic.
yes please...post more pics of your car. I will finish it in a lighter metallic blue (think is what is called indigo Blue).
Definitely love too much the mighty Cobra.

[MerlinPro]

OK- here are two views of the engine compartment with my other valve covers on. You can see the hoses, wiring and linkages from above.Your model may only have one carburetor but the lines will be very similar and all the finishes you should try for. Note also the footboxes are off white fiberglass, not aluminum. I will post other areas soon.
Ciao

[lovegt40]

want want waaant !!

This definitely convinces me in use the 427 instead of nascar engine.
I note u also changed head covers.
How did u fix the problem of the high torque of the 427?.I know in gt40s they use some rebuild of the T44 gear shifter, but thats is a transaxle, so surely in Cobras it will be different.
too nice car btw..keep on posting ref pics.Grazie

[MerlinPro]

Originally Posted by lovegt40

want want waaant !!
How did u fix the problem of the high torque of the 427?.I know in gt40s they use some rebuild of the T44 gear shifter, but thats is a transaxle, so surely in Cobras it will be different.

High torque is not a problem-it makes 550 lb.ft.. The Toploader transmission and Jaguar differential are modified to handle such power. Just the tires get a beating from it. GT40 MK II's made about 500 lb.ft. in LeMans trim.
More coming from me but you must post your progress.
Ciao,

[lovegt40]

Corrct, and here I go then

Strip off operations going on. The chassis was clean and time is up to start work a little on the body.
As Merlin pointed out, the windshield in all Cobra models I've seen is quite big and out of size.In my model I had to scratchbuild it from 0, cause the Car I stripped had no windshield at all,I've never seen whats provided in the box, but I suspect the revell monogram is not so accurate in such detail, that in every picture is always so thin.
Also the lateral air intakes where open. I will replace theme forward.











the only thing I really dont like is the plastic used by revell. It is probably recycled.

[MerlinPro]

OK, first the windshield. The installed angle is 47 degrees-it lays down quite a bit. Yours is too upright.

Also, it curves across the rounded cowl-the bottom and top frames are not straight as you have it. The top frame has a channel in it where the soft top would attach. The bottom frame has a black rubber gasket at the bottom edge which seals out water and draft. See here:

Also the glass has a soft green tint. This is an original Cobra windshield as are the seats and many visible parts:

[lovegt40]

the info about angle is great.Is possible I've seen some replicas with wrong angle on windshield? Consider my part is soft styrene, and will (try) fix in the correct position only when the model will be finished.
Also interesting the note of the light green tint...

More, I've also noted some cars have the 2 lateral glasses and the 2 sun protection on the top of the frame (as the SPF in my pic).Interesting your nice one does not have both of theme, will decide later what to do on my little one.

Thank u so much for the infos, they are really too important and interesting for me.

[MerlinPro]

More help here. This is a view of the windshield and hoop scoop. You can see the windshield's shape, color, gasket and angle best here. The hood scoop is always too thick and shaped wrong. The scoop is 22" long, 1 5/8" high at the opening and 14" wide at the base. It is fiberglass and attached with 29, 3/16" rivets. There are 16 rivets on the hood leading edge and part way up the sides. Original Comp cars were done exactly this way. I would make the scoop from lead foil or carve a master and cast one. Keep it thin and flair the sides out slightly:

Close up of the shape at the back edge and the rivets. If this is more detail than you care for, tell me and I'll stop. It's a pleasure to help a great modeler and Cobra and GT lover. Ask for what you want next like brakes and suspension.
Ciao

[lovegt40]

wow! that should be (for me) a relaxing model...but now looking at all these datails...I really dunno
More I look pics, more I see things to add.

will see what to do with hood scoop, cause the body is already painted with white stripes (but I can always correct it!)

[MerlinPro]

Originally Posted by lovegt40

More, I've also noted some cars have the 2 lateral glasses and the 2 sun protection on the top of the frame (as the SPF in my pic).Interesting your nice one does not have both of theme, will decide later what to do on my little one.
.

Paolo,
You are referring to sunvisors and wind wings to deflect the draft. Those were use ONLY on 'street' cars. Mine is a Competition version which did not have them. The only deviation from this is the glovebox in my dashboard-Comps did not have them.
SPF's have many deviations from originals-they are 'stand-off scale' Cobras and are generally bought by those who do not know how to build. The most accurate Cobra replicas are Kirkhams, Shelbys and ERA's. Hawks in the UK are very well done also.
Try to study reference books on Cobras so you can make choices which way you want to build.